An empathetic elementary: Sigourney students get into the spirit of giving

There comes a point where every parent sets out to have a conversation with their child about the importance of giving as opposed to receiving. This discussion becomes important during the holiday season, but every now and then, it is the child that doles out lessons on the impact of charity. Such is the case with children at Sigourney Elementary School.

“Every year [during December], our K-6 teachers have the option of doing a small gift exchange at Christmas time or doing a service learning project,” said Deana Hutchings, principal at Sigourney Elementary School.

This year, first grade students took up a small collection to donate for supplies for students in El Salvador, raising almost $70 - that’s quite the sum of money when you’re in first grade. Sixth grade students also decided to forego the traditional gift exchange and instead picked two names off of the tree at MidWestOne Bank in Sigourney to shop for.

And then there is the story of the second and third grade classes, who decided to crusade for a cause even closer to home.

To read the full story, see the Jan. 13 issue of the News-Review, out now.