GORHAM – After a Compassion Towards Animals school assembly last week, students at Great Falls Elementary School in Gorham are taking the message to heart.
A table in the Great Falls lobby is overflowing with donations collected for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook.
“We kicked off the collection by having a full school assembly featuring Sparks Ark and Jeana Roth, Animal Refuge League volunteer coordinator,” said Rebecca Fortier, assistant principal at the school. “It was a great time.”
At the assembly, students were treated to seeing and learning about a variety of wild animals, along with Milo, an Animal Refuge League canine ambassador.
The collection drive at the school was launched after the assembly and was scheduled to wrap up on Friday. But, Fortier said on Tuesday that it will continue for another week.
Three student ambassadors in the fifth grade on Tuesday viewed the accumulation of pet donations at the school.
“It’s going really good,” Cody Smith said.
“I think it’s good because we’re helping animals and helping kids be kind,” Alie Peterson said.
Haley Crosby said student donations to aid shelter animals include toys and blankets. Fortier said a grandmother, who is a school volunteer, gave a monetary gift in memory of her dog that recently died.
The Animal Refuge League’s wish list of needs include cat litter, canned and dry cat food, cat toys and beds, rawhide bones and timothy-based rabbit food.
At the school’s assembly, Roth spoke about the types of animals at the shelter, how many are living there, and how kids could help the shelter.
Joshua Sparks of Sparks Ark in Windham displayed several animals.
“The kids went crazy for the creatures he brought,” Roth said.
Sparks’ exhibit included an Australian sugar glider that is similar to a flying squirrel; a barred owl; a chinchilla; an African tortoise; and an 8-foot boa constrictor weighing 35 pounds. Sparks said the snake is “always the kids’ favorite,” but the reptile didn’t prove a hit with one Great Falls faculty member.
“A teacher ran from the room when the snake came out,” Sparks said this week.
Roth said when Fortier asked the kids if they were excited to help collect food and supplies for the shelter, “the auditorium erupted in screams and excitement.”
Fortier said compassion is an important part of the school’s code of conduct.
“Our students understand that showing empathy and caring for others in need is important,” Fortier said. “Through the assembly and work with the Animal Refuge League students are understanding that compassion toward animals, whether found in the wild or in need of adoption, is also important.”
“It is so heartwarming to see our youngest community members supporting our animals,” Roth said.
Three students at Great Falls Elementary School in Gorham on Tuesday show gifts collected for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook. Pictured, from left, are fifth-graders Haley Crosby, Alie Peterson and Cody Smith.Send questions/comments to the editors.
