Greetings and Happy Spring,

​Greetings and Happy Spring,

Reason2Smile wanted to take a moment to highlight the incredible students from Marion Street Elementary School who recently participated in a R2S virtual workshop and bracelet-making program! 


More info on how you can schedule your own R2S programming below

 Marion Street Students Spreading Reasons To Smile

Third graders from Marion Street Elementary School in Nassau County, NY recently expanded their global knowledge by diving into a unit about Kenya. Third-grade classes conducted extensive research on the country, read informational texts about Kenyan culture, and completed their own PowerPoint presentations & postcards.

Partnering with Reason2Smile, the students read Neema’s Reason to Smile, by Patricia Newman, a fictional book based on the Jambo Jipya School. Students also used the Reason2Smile curriculum trunk to further their studies and gain a better understanding and appreciation of Kenyan life.

After reading Neema’s Reason to Smile students discussed Neema’s dreams and reflected on their own. In a heartwarming conversation, the students decided that they wanted to find a way to support the Jambo Jipya School. To do this, they wrote persuasive letters and created posters for Marion Street's principal as well as other teachers to gain their support to host a R2S fundraiser.

Once they received the go-ahead, the students were able to raise a total of $345 for the Jambo Jipya School and Children’s Home! Their fundraiser included running a bracelet-making workshop during school. Each student was able to create their very own recycled paper beaded bracelet to take home. These bracelets serve as a reminder of their advocacy and leadership in helping others. 

In addition to the bracelet workshop, the students participated in a WebEx meeting with Donna Rosenblum, executive director of Reason2Smile. Ms. Rosenblum showed the students pictures and talked to them about the school and Kenya as well as answered many questions in a Q&A session. The third graders were fully engaged in their virtual meeting and learned so much through their service project.

Reason2Smile is thankful to the students at Marion Street Elementary School, teacher Kristen Keane and Principal Theresa Macchia for their efforts and spreading reasons to smile!​

Reason2Smile works with schools, libraries, community service clubs, religious institutions, and more so if you are interested in collaborating please send us an email and we can plan a program that best suits your students/school/organization.

​ Neema's Reason to Smile 

You can share author Patricia Newman reading Neema's Reason to Smile here
  
Neema has an ELA and Math curriculum guide available free on our website

Remember you can always purchase Neema for $15.00. Just email us and we will take care of the rest. ​