In the Haddon Heights School District in Camden County, even the youngest students are learning the value of helping others.
In February, preschool through second graders at Atlantic Avenue Elementary School gathered in the school cafeteria to prepare 300 ham and cheese sandwiches to donate to the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden.
According to parent volunteer Pamela Pollard, the importance of the project goes beyond feeding those in need.
“We have a large student population that doesn’t have to think about where their next meal is coming from. It’s important for them to give back, and for them to realize that there is a life outside of our bubble and that we’re all part of a society that should be taking care of one another,” Pollard told the Retrospect, a weekly newspaper in Camden County.
For the third consecutive year, Jillian Soriano, a kindergarten teacher, organized the school-wide event. Before they made sandwiches, students learned about food insecurity and were also taught about how to safely handle food.
Parent volunteers secured donations for the sandwiches. Older students prepared the sandwiches while younger students counted and bagged cookies. Students also created place mats which were used to set tables in Cathedral Kitchen’s dining area.
“This thoughtfully designed community service event provided our pre-K through second-grade students with a wonderful opportunity for hands-on learning,” said Carla Bittner, superintendent of Haddon Heights School District.
“By creating sandwiches, decorating placemats, and bagging cookies, they not only developed practical skills but also experienced the profound satisfaction of contributing to their community in a meaningful and age-appropriate way,” Bittner said. “It’s inspiring to see our young learners embrace both service and learning with such enthusiasm.”
Editor’s note: Have students in your school achieved recognition or served the community in a remarkable way? Tell us about it! We can publish a brief story and photos of students and staff deserving recognition. All stories and photos must be submitted by the school district’s communications or superintendent’s office to ensure accuracy and compliance with district guidelines. Help us share your story with the rest of the state! Ask your district communications office to email stories and photos to School Board Notes Interim Editor Alan Guenther at aguenther@njsba.org.
