June 16, 2010

Students showcase accomplishments; donate livestock

At graduation, eighth-graders at Blessed Sacrament School in Denver presented their grade school careers in portfolios, but not the traditional ones compiled in a binder. Rather, the students created Web pages that were presented on interactive white boards called SMART boards. 

Connected to a computer, the SMART boards are touch-sensitive, allowing the user to manipulate the information being presented.  The students’ electronic portfolios focused on academics, spirituality and service.
Eighth grader Aaron Sheppard said he prefers the electronic method because it simplifies filing.

“I liked doing the portfolios electronically instead of in traditional binders because I am a fast typist,” he said, “and it was a good way for me to keep track of everything I need.” 

Classmate Sophia Staerz agreed, saying that it’s harder to misplace things.

“This way I know I have everything in one file instead of all over the place,” she said. 

The students found many advantages to using Web page portfolios over binders, said eighth-grade teacher Sara Alkayali, including the option of including multi-media artifacts to highlight their talents and successes.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for the kids,” she said.

Also at Blessed Sacrament, for the third year in a row, students participated in Heifer International, which provides long-term solutions to hunger and poverty by providing animals to people in 125 countries.

Through fundraising efforts which included payment for chores, running errands and donating part of their weekly allowances, the students were able to help purchase goats, sheep, pigs, bees and beehives, chickens and even a water buffalo.  The impact of each initial gift is multiplied as recipients agree to “pass on the gift” by giving one or more of their animal’s offspring to another in need.

Middle school students Jacob and Joey Massey, with the support of principal Greg Kruthaupt and pastor Father Ken Luizzi, introduced this project to the student body.  More information on Heifer International is available online at www.heifer.org or by calling 800-422-0474.