IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2017 | Page 34

Letter from the Superintendent

“ Our students have learned that even though they may be in need at times , others around them have different struggles .”
Dr . Eileen Amato –
Superintendent

Photo by Jeremy Lenzi reensburg Salem GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

The weather this winter in Western Pennsylvania has certainly been blustery and chilly , but inside Greensburg Salem a special warmth has filled the air . We are proud to share this edition of our IN Greensburg Salem Magazine which will bring you many wonderful stories of our students and staff giving back to those in our community who are in special need . We hope our stories fill you with an inner warmth from knowing that even the youngest among us are learning to reach out and support others .

One such account shows elementary students creating holiday cards for those community members who received holiday trays from Meals-on-Wheels . Many of our students live at the poverty level themselves , yet they have learned that it takes very little to brighten someone ’ s day . The senior citizens who receive trays often have little contact with elementary students and really appreciate seeing the artwork and individual messages on the handmade cards . Our students have learned that even though they may be in need at times , others around them have different struggles . Each of us may have a time in life when we need help from others , but also have a time where we can offer help . We are happy this is part of our total learning experience at Greensburg Salem .
We are also sharing the wonderful stories of Christmas giving at Greensburg Salem and thank faculty , staff , parents and community partners for the generous contributions to Christmas for those who were in need this year . Many donations were given quietly and without any type of recognition . These thoughtful gestures gave many students coats , hats , boots , notebooks , backpacks and a host of small treats and gifts that made their holidays magical . It warms our hearts thinking about the brightly wrapped packages stacked so high ready for delivery to some very happy and deserving children .
Another warm story that we are showcasing is a new partnership with the New Alexandria Lions Club to have students take home healthy food in a special backpack program that provides meals
32 | Greensburg-Salem and snacks for the weekend . Currently seventy four students at Metzgar Elementary are participating in this new endeavor , and we are grateful to the Lions Club for their efforts in this wonderful program .
Included this month are also accounts of students raising money for leukemia , lymphoma and breast cancer . Elementary through high school students participated in activities such as spare change drives and “ pink outs ”. Educational research has shown that young people who regularly volunteer reap many benefits . Students who volunteer are more likely to have increased student achievement and strong attendance rates . Volunteering helps students apply their learned skills to new situations , strengthen decision-making and develop leadership skills . It also allows them to connect to a greater good as well as experience perspectives that are different than their own . Many students use these activities to get a glimpse at unknown career opportunities or the chance to develop life-long hobbies and interests . In addition , research shows that as children become adults who volunteer they continue to see both physical and mental benefits well into the days when they become the senior citizens of the community .
We are happy in this edition to showcase one such example of lifelong volunteering- Jennings Womack . Jennings ’ legacy is that he inspired many students and adults in the Greensburg Salem community to give tirelessly to causes other than one ’ s own welfare . Even when his own health was beginning to fail , Jennings still didn ’ t give up and kept fighting to raise money for our fitness center . What a role model Jennings was for our young athletes as he cheered for and supported them both on and off the athletic fields ! We hope you enjoy Jennings ’ story along with the many others featured this month . We hope they celebrate the many efforts of our district stakeholders , young and old , to give back to a community they love .
The Greensburg Salem School District pages are edited and compiled by the Community Relations Department . For more information please contact Melissa Bowman , at 724.832.2907 or melissa . bowman @ gslions . net .