Why Raising Money for Parkcrest Elementary was Important to me

September 23, 2019

Social Awareness is defined in the education world as the ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behaviour, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

In this blogpost, we hear from one grade 6 student, Ciara from Alex Hope Elementary who started a fundraiser for Parkcrest Elementary in Kamloops, BC which was destroyed by fire in September. Ciara’s initiative is a true example of social awareness in action.

My name is Ciara, and I held a fundraiser that made $121 dollars for the staff and students of Parkcrest Elementary. Doing this was important to me because when I heard that Parkcrest Elementary had burned down, I realized just how much many of us take our schools for granted. I can’t imagine what I would do if anything happened to Alex Hope! I realized how terrible it would be to lose my school. The news about Parkcrest Elementary really helped me put things into perspective.  It helped me to realize that we all face problems, but as I only face small ones, I can help people and communities like Parkcrest Elementary, who face bigger challenges. I decided that I had to help the staff and students from Parkcrest Elementary. I felt that something had to be done. I am not a person that can just stand by and watch people stuck in a bad situation, no, I have to help. So, I did.