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MMS
WATERWORKSREACHING OUR GOALS
A MESSAGE
MMS is helping to make Ryan's Hreljac's dream come true. As a school, we have adopted the Ryan's Well model as a way to help others and ourselves.
Our awareness of the importance of water for our daily use and for the world increases everyday. As we get our MMS 2007 Water Project underway, we are planning a variety of activities that will promote appreciation for and conservation of water resources, and increase our knowledge of the World Water Crisis in countries that are less fortunate than our own.
Kathy Pierce Taylor Johnson
Principal SCA President
2007
In October 2006, Mr. Don Glasser, a retired MMS Social Studies teacher, brings the water project to our school's attention and we decide to adopt it as our "make a difference" project.
Discussions begin in social studies classes and projects heighten interest.
Water facts are presented to student body during morning announcements daily, increasing our awareness of the importance of water.
In January, 2007 students begin to donate money
for the cause in our cafeteria's pump.
Monelison teachers and students give generously to our cause. Total collection as of April 20 is over $2200.
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SCA begins promoting water awareness by making bulletin boards and planning activities.
March 9, all students view the film Ryan's Well. The film has a moving impact on student body.
Thursday, March 22, teachers present water related lessons and activities in celebration of World Water Day. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue.
MMS students participate in a variety of activities to raise money for Ryan's Well. Mrs. McBride's 3rd and 7th periods along with the SCA sponsor Hat Day, Open Gym Day, specialized raffles, and several bake sales.
Sweet Briar College students provide Mrs. McBride's classes with a presentation about their upcoming trip to Guatemala in Central America to build a water well.
World Water Council
News Update
WN° 24 - April 2007
When students make the difference
By Ms. Kathy Pierce, Principal, Monelison Middle School
Students at Monelison Middle School in Madison Heights,
Virginia, USA, are becoming more aware of their place in the world and of their ability to make a difference for people in need of
clean water. Beginning with viewing “Ryan’s Well,” the story of Ryan Hreljac’s work to build a well in Africa starting when he was just six years old, and hearing daily announcements about water resources, students have developed a growing awareness of the world water crisis.
In response to Ryan’s story, social studies classes and the Student Council Association have initiated various coin drives to fund clean water projects and, on March 22, the entire school celebrated World Water Day. Through readings, demonstrations, and experiments, Monelison’s 686 students learned about the water cycle, water quality monitoring, and the dangers of groundwater contamination. They also examined their personal water consumption and developed advertisements to promote water conservation.
Since World Water Day, the students’ passion for clean water has continued to grow. One class in particular has initiated five different fund-raisers, motivating their peers to contribute additional funds. The school’s efforts, currently totaling over $2,000.00, will help both a local family and a distant community to obtain clean water.
The Monelison Middle School web address is
http://www.iwinet.com/amcomms/index.htm
Click on “Visit MMS Waterworks” for pages specific to this article.
