Second Graders At Sandy Hook Send Warm Wishes To American Soldiers

by Susan Coney

What would you like for Valentine’s Day? The second grade classes from Sandy Hook Elementary School answered the question with pen, paper, and love.

What began as the inspiration of second grade teacher Carole MacInnes to teach her students the techniques of letter writing evolved into a schoolwide and joint community effort.

“Everyone had a wonderful time and it did fit in with the letter writing component of our curriculum. But if truth be known, and it should be known, [parent volunteer] Donna Randle did the groundwork by gathering information and addresses and making it easy for us to follow through. The school was more than happy to pay the postage. It was, in a way, kind of an extension of the November 11 Veterans’ Day program at the school,” Ms MacInnes said. “We all did our part to bring a little happiness to our American service men and women.”

Ms Randle, who has twin second graders Marie and Nicholas at Sandy Hook, previously served five years of active duty in the Army and four years in the Reserves, providing her with firsthand knowledge of what it is like to be so far from home. She contacted The Newtown Bee, Veterans of Foreign Wars, local recruiting officers, and each of the area churches to obtain names and addresses of soldiers serving overseas.

“Soon names and contacts began to arrive. It was a joy and a pleasure to be the one to speak to so many friends and relatives of service men and women and to hear their stories,” Ms Randle said.

“With the inspiration that comes only from the heart of a teacher, Carole MacInnes composed a beautiful piece of stationary for the children to compose their letters and color some pictures. Every letter was individual, not a copy,” Ms Randle continued. “The magic began when the children took pen, pencil, and crayon to the paper. What fantastic and moving letters they wrote. Most every child thanked their American soldier for serving in the military and asked them to be safe.”

Several other Sandy Hook teachers participated by having their students join in the Valentine letter writing project, including Robin Walker, Betty Roberson, Dawn Ford, Sally Mackenzie, Kerri Sommers, and Abbey Clements. Many students wrote to more than one soldier and more than 100 letters were sent.

Ms Clements’s students also prepared care packages with cheerful notes attached to be sent to soldiers. The Newtown Lions Club organized the packages to be distributed.

Second graders Brandon Johnson, Joey Rothenbucher, Gillian Eckwall, Nick Randle, Matthew Maturo, and Colin Parker were among students who designed very creative, decorative envelopes for mailing.

“I so admire the teachers for jumping in to try an instill to the children the idea that they have to say thank you to all the service men and women and to all of the people who help them in the community,” said Ms Randle. “It teaches good citizenship. This is one example of how teachers are models for their students to emulate. Hopefully, at the very least, someone is going to have a big smile on their face.”