4Elementary School News

Finding the true meaning of the holidays
Six elementary students give of themselves

If this is the season for giving, then six Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School students have clearly discovered what it means to give. Instead of simply going to the mall and buying gifts, these six young ladies did something extraordinary for others.

First-graders Abigail Douglas, Alyssa Duval, Rachel Lee, Rhionah Egelston and Ashley Scofield all cut their long hair and donated it to "Locks of Love"—an organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from medical hair loss most often from auto-immune disorders and cancer treatments. Ironically, the five came to the decision to cut their hair without consulting with one another. The fact that four of the girls are in the Lorraine Stellato's first grade classroom makes their decisions even more incredible.

Second-grader Alyson Shirley used her musical talents to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a group that grants wishes to children suffering from life threatening illnesses. Alyson placed a tip jar on the family piano and performed when for friends and family. She contributed her proceeds to the familiar cause.

Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School Principal Alicia Henry couldn't be prouder of her young students.

"Throughout the school year, we stress the Six Pillars of Learning as part of our character education program," she explained. "One of the characteristics we teach is caring. I can't imagine that anyone could better demonstrate caring than these young ladies."

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