Faith In Action

Kindergarten

Introduction

• Kindergarten introduced a yearlong theme of being the “hands of Jesus” and doing good deeds all year. 
• The students created and delivered handmade bookmarks for healthcare workers
• Children made Thanksgiving placements for the Ronald McDonald House
• At Christmas, they collected gently used toys for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank
• They also collected gloves and hats for the Little Bit Foundation. 
• In April they made butterflies out of handprints for children in the hospital and welcome packets for incoming kindergarten

1^st Grade 

Environment

• Our 1st Graders started by learning about God's creation and the environment through a field trip to LaSalle Retreat Center. The students completed a scavenger hunt, learned about bees from the beekeeper, and explored the community garden and nature paths. 
• Twice this year the students collected gently used towels and blankets for Stray Rescue of St. Louis, and Animal Protective Association of Missouri.  
• This winter, a guest speaker from the St. Louis County Department of Health came and performed a puppet show, and led an interactive game teaching the students about the basics of recycling, the impact of recycling on household waste and what can be recycled. 
• This spring, the students participated in a walking field trip to Kirkwood Public Library where they learned how recycled materials can be used to make art. The children created a balloon hovercraft, bee habitat, bird feeder, and a bookmark.

2^nd Grade

Elderly

• To start the year, the second grade did their favorite activity—annual leaf raking for the elderly in the community.
• In January the children were able to attend Kirkwood House and play BINGO and engage with the  residents 
• In the spring time they potted plants and gave them to a special person as a random act of kindness to brighten the day of an elderly person in their lives. 
• Throughout the year the 2nd graders also made cards for holidays and for cheering up that were shared with elderly residents in local retirement homes.

3^rd Grade

Hungry

• The third of every month a few students served food and drinks at the St Peter and Paul soup kitchen.  
• They helped keep the Blessing Box stocked with food for those in need
• Each week the special student brings in supplies to help keep the Blessing Box filled.
• They stocked the shelves at the KUM Lifebridge Market with items for their meals as well as personal care items while learning about the wonderful way the market serves our community
• Gene LaBarge came and spoke about Food Insecurities and the students packaged meals for the families at Children's Hospital 
• They finished the year with an Easter basket raffle with over $1000 donation to St. Patricks Center learning about the work they do to help those home insecure

4th Grade

Veterans

• The 4^th graders helped plan the Veterans Day mass and celebrated with a reception after mass. 
• They took a walking field trip to St. Peter Cemetery while praying the rosary for all veterans. They learned about special Kirkwood veterans who were buried there and the immense sacrifices they made for them and their country.  
• The students were able to hear from a guest speaker and received bookmarks from fallen Kirkwood soldiers and lives to pray at home. 
• Learned about Honor Flight and were able to send letters for roll call for the flight. 
• Wrote Valentines to the Veterans in the Veteran's Home and collected over 1,000 toiletries for Veterans in need.
• Students presented at the Kirkwood Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall and shared the stories of veterans.

5^th Grade

Babies and Children

• Kate Corbett, from World Pediatric Project, spoke to the students about their mission of healing children around the world.  They learned that so many children do not have the same access to medical care that we have in the US.  Students collected diapers, socks and beanie babies to share with the visiting patients. 
• A representative from the Little Bit Foundation spoke to the 5th graders about their wonderful organization and the many children that it serves.  Students collected school supplies and necessities to help restock their warehouse that was flooded.  
• Each student “adopted” a child from Haiti through Melissa’s Hope Orphanage.  The children prayed for their orphan and collected financial donations and small toys for the kids. Students prayed throughout  Lent for the children at Melissa’s Hope Orphanage and for all the less fortunate children in Haiti.
• The students learned about an organization called Cancer Kids First. They learned special information about multiple children battling cancer and then wrote notes in both the Fall and Spring sending positive vibes and uplifting their spirits.

6^th Grade

Homeless

• Our 6th graders read Faith In Action books in the fall- stories about students who are faced with varieties of home insecurity.
• Students enjoyed a fun afternoon of snacks and playing with the 6th graders at St Louis Catholic Academy.  They assembled Blessing Bags that each student took with them to pass out into the community. The 6th graders formed relationships that they look forward to growing in the years ahead. 
•  The students took a field trip to SVDP and learned from Fr. Dan about the many people they serve. They acted as “mini Vinny’s” assembling little bags full of treats and wrote inspirational notes that were then distributed to the parishioners for Thanksgiving.
• 6th grade learned how Bridge Bread provides baking jobs and resources for people who are unhoused. They responded by pledging to spread awareness of Bridge Bread to three friends or family members and offered the option for online sales to support the agency’s mission.
• Deb Cotton from Sts. Peter and Paul spoke with the class about homelessness. Students participated in an activity assembling care kits with many travel-sized toiletries for people who stay at the men’s shelter. The toiletries had been collected and donated by our 6th grade families throughout the year.

7^th Grade

Person with Disabilities

• The 7^th graders were fortunate to have speakers from Starkloff Disability Institute and Mr. Kindschu speak to them about living with disabilities. 
• They participated in an adaptive P.E. Day to simulate various disabilities.
• They watched the film Temple Grandin and discussed its importance. 
• The students worked hard to put on a successful Mission Carnival and donated to the Montfort Missionaries and the people of Malawi. 
• They assisted students from several North County Schools with disabilities at a Special Olympics bowling event.
• They had the opportunity to assist in the Tri-My-Best adaptive triathlon and cheer on the athletes.
• They volunteered after school at Pioneer Bakery, to better understand their mission to partner with Lafayette ministries, working with those with intellectual disabilities. 
• They spent the day with fellow middle schoolers at St Louis Catholic Academy, socializing and watching a production by The Black Rep Theater. 
• The final project was a personal essay and presentation to the class on a specific person with a disability and how this relates to our Catholic Social teachings.

8^th Grade

Social Justice

• Our 8^th graders supported Missionaries of Charity with weekly visits to serve their soup kitchen and with donations of food and supplies throughout the year.
• The 8th graders participated in a Social Justice Speaker series that included the following speakers: Toni Jordan, Jacinta Millman and Fr. O'Toole
• Toni Jordan from the Criminal Justice Ministry came to talk to our students about her experiences in dealing with incarceration and overcoming the challenges of transitioning from prison life back to society.  As a follow-up activity the students write a letter to her telling her what impact her talk has had on them.   
• Fr. O'Toole came to speak to our class about Social justice, human dignity and racism.  The students participated in an in-class activity in understanding individual vs institutional racism, a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops resource. As a follow-up activity, the students found a bible verse that spoke about human dignity.  Then they wrote about a time they showed dignity to someone else reflecting that Bible verse and when someone should show dignity to them as well 
• Students supported St. Theresa and Bridget soup kitchen with food donations and deliveries to Mr. Behl. 
• Jacinta Millman spoke to the students about the virtue of chastity and the importance of being pro-life.  As a follow-up activity, the students wrote essays for the Respect Life Apostolate Pro-Life Essay Writing Contest. 
• The 8^th graders all completed their confirmation service projects by being the hands of Jesus throughout the St. Louis area.  Many students dedicated their time and talents to the organizations that they learned about over the years through the FIA program.
• The students researched the high schools they planned to attend and identified service opportunities they would like to be involved in.  They wrote themselves a letter that will be sent back to them next summer commenting on all their service experiences at St. Peter.