8th Graders to Paul's Place

Two eighth grade advisories ventured down to Paul’s Place in Washington Village on Tuesday, December 6. In preparation for their time, the students and their advisors purchased and cut fringes on 64 sections of fleece to be used to make blankets. When the group arrived at 3:15, the Paul’s Place students were having a healthy, hot meal and the Calvert girls received a brief orientation to the mission of the after school program from Ms. Shirley. Then the Calvert girls introduced themselves one by one to the elementary school children who, in turn, stood up one by one and introduced themselves to the girls from Calvert. At four o’clock, homework help began and Calvert students attached themselves to one or two children as academic helpers. Several students baked sweets and these were served to everyone after homework was complete and backpacks were put away. At about five o’clock, two students introduced the craft and explained how to tie the fleece together to make blankets. The girls distributed the fabric and sat with the children, instructing, tying knots, asking questions, and laughing. The blankets will go home with the children before their winter break and become Christmas gifts for their parents. The last twenty minutes were filled with free time activities which included checkers, legos, memory games, and reading aloud. The atmosphere was lively and hopeful and the Calvert girls are already planning their next trip to Paul’s Place. They represented the Calvert Community with kindness and fun!