New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
A team of students at Betsey B. Winslow Elementary School has earned praise for its community service activities, including a recent effort to organize donations for the homeless in New Bedford.
“We have a strong team of staff, students and parents at our school,” said Kristen Nightingale, a special education teacher and the school’s PBIS coach. “Our student team is called the PBIS Ambassadors of Kindness and they work hard to spread kindness in school and in the community.”
“Recently, one of our fourth graders, Cameron, wanted to start a collection for the homeless people in New Bedford,” she continued. “Through many generous donations of our Winslow families we were able to make 42 care packages for the homeless.”
“I got this idea from watching YouTube videos about people helping the homeless,” said Cameron. “I realized I could make a difference, too. I asked my friends and teachers to help me make my dream come true.”
“Homeless people should be respected,” he continued. “I hope me and the PBIS team can keep making a difference.”
Members of Grace Church distributed the PBIS team’s care packages to the homeless at their Sunday morning community breakfast on April 14.
“To watch this young group of students accomplish so many wonderful acts of kindness is truly amazing,” said principal Carolyn Pontes. “This project is only one of many caring endeavors that they come up with on their own and always follow through with.”
“The kindness ambassadors spend many hours after school planning opportunities to help others and organizing monthly pep rallies to foster high student morale,” she continued. “Ms. Nightingale, the Winslow PBIS team, and the kindness ambassadors have taken the initiative to another level by forming many partnerships with community organizations. I am extremely proud of our ambassadors and grateful to the Grace Church for their help with this project,” said Principal Ponte.
