Each year thousands of students from the EL Education network take action on Better World Day to co-create a better world in partnership with their local communities, connect with each other, and celebrate meaningful student work. This year, MAELS was one of many school communities that took part in the festivities on May 7th’s Better World Day.
“Better World Day is a day set aside to DO something positive and uplifting for your community,” said Ms. Krueger, a 6th grade science teacher.
“This year, our school contributed to Better World Day by donating to residents in Nursing homes,” said 6th grader Alexander Corona-Lopez. Students at MAELS spent several weeks researching and responding to the needs of a particularly vulnerable population in Staten Island — nursing home residents and those who care for them. Each Crew studied the impact COVID-19 has had on nursing homes and worked to understand the needs of patients and staff at the Carmel Richmond Nursing Home in their community.
“It has been extra difficult for nursing home residences because they were not able to see their loved ones for over a year. Many of them faced boredom and isolation,” said 6th grade Abeeha Zanab.
Students and their families created care packages for patients and staff based on their needs along with a book of letters written to patients and staff with uplifting quotes about the world they want to create. “It made me happy to know I was helping someone,” said 6th grade Stella Becker.
This year, Better World Day happens to fall during the month of Ramadan, where members of the Muslim community practice acts of generosity. “The best part was the satisfaction of doing something good for someone who really needed it,” said 6th grade Laiba Imran. “Right now it is Ramadan, which is a reflective, spiritual month. I am lucky to have been able to give to my community and to those in need.”
The drop-off event for Better World Day was live streamed to the MAELS Community on Friday, May 7th, 2021. The celebratory event was hosted by Ms. Alberino and Mr. Torres. You can watch the recorded event HERE.
When asked about her motivation behind this year’s Better World Day project, Ms. Alberino recalled her Nonna living in a nursing home for a very long time. “I was just thinking about the community and wanted to make sure the people that we all love are taken care of, especially during these times because they can’t see their families or their loved ones. We wanted to make sure that they felt that love.”
Ms. Alberino, a 6th and 7th grade science teacher, who worked tirelessly to plan the event, also expressed her joy when hundreds of Amazon packages from the MAELS Better World Day registry began to flood in.
“It was overwhelming how much love was given from the families. We got A LOT of boxes and packages. Amazon would show up at my house and deliver hundreds of packages in wheely carts. I didn’t even know that was a thing!”
Vera Cicero, the Director of Recreation at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, was floored by the amount of gifts that arrived. “I knew you were bringing me all these things but I never imagined it would be this beautiful. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. All of our residents will enjoy every little bit of every little thing that you’ve sent. They enjoy getting goodies. It’s been a very long, lonely year. The residents only have staff because no families can visit.
“The spirit of love and generosity is really touching my heart,” said Sister Patricia Royden, the Director of Mission Integration at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home.
As part of a longer term project, Carmel Richmond Nursing Home is inviting the MAELS community to adopt a grandparent! Students will be able to write directly to a patient at the home to learn about their favorite music or art. More information about the adopt-a-grandparent program will be available to students from their crew teachers.
“We will put you in contact with a resident. You can write to them and maybe they’ll write back to you!” expressed Royden.
The success of this year’s Better World Day at MAELS has inspired students to continue their work beyond the school day. “Giving to the community and helping out others is a great feeling,” said 6th grade Justin Martinez.
“Over the past month you have all been working to make sure they all feel that love and it’s been building up to this moment,” said Ms. Alberino. “I can’t thank you all enough for this year’s successful Better World Day!”
Follow along on social media by searching the hashtag #BetterWorldDay.