School pools generosity to support teacher's family

JEFF GRANIT staff Teachers at Kiddie Academy of Millstone worked with students and their families to collect items for troops stationed overseas. Students helped pack the assorted items Aug. 28. Little people are doing big things at the Kiddie Academy of Millstone.

When the child day care and education center's community heard that teacher Elizabeth Siwiak's brother, a member of the Army's Special Operations Forces, would be returning to Iraq for a second tour of duty, it came together to give him and other troops stationed oversees their appreciation and support. Sandy Novak, a prekindergarten teacher at the school, motivated her summer camp class to collect necessities like bandannas, socks and Tshirts and treats like candy and gum for Siwiak's brother and his comrades.

"We're a small school with a small enrollment, but everyone did such an excellent job that we have five boxes to send overseas," Novak said. "I am so proud of them for wanting to make the troops happy."

Although the project began in the prekindergarten camp, students and parents showed so much enthusiasm for helping the soldiers that it soon became a schoolwide endeavor with almost all of the 39 children's families participating.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Christian Schechner, 4, of Kiddie Academy of Millstone, puts a package of socks and a jar of peanut butter into a box being sent to troops stationed in Iraq. Right: Pupil Neha Ayyalapu, 4, shows her excitement for sending goods to troops stationed overseas. The academy was bustling all summer long with youngsters bringing in their donations and creating fanciful cards and notes of admiration for those who have been stationed far away from their homes during military service.

"The 2-year-olds made every card with love," Assistant Director Kristen Goldenbaum said. "They went out of their way to salute the troops and to say thank you."

Although she could not disclose her brother's name due to his involvement in special operations, Siwiak said he would be working in Iraq until the end of the year.

"The children can't wait to play with my little brother when he comes home," Siwiak said. "They think he's 2 [years old] because I call him my little brother, but he's really 6-foot-4."

Siwiak said her brother plans to share the gifts with those he's stationed with, since many troops are in need of supplies and little reminders of home.

And the project won't end when summer does. The school plans to continue supporting the military throughout the upcoming year by sending more care packages, according to Novak.

Goldenbaum said the special project helps students learn the concept of generosity.

"They're so young, but they can be generous," she said. "They learned that they really should go out and help the community."

Director Kristina Solimeo said the academy's motto is "Community begins here."

"Soldiers need our love and support," Solimeo said. "I am definitely more than enthusiastic that we started something like this, and now we plan to do more for the soldiers and other charities as well."

Shortly after the academy's school year begins Sept. 2, Solimeo will introduce another community service project to help the nonprofit Artists Village Inc. collect goods for children in Haiti.

"Some children there have no homes, no food, no clothes, and are in desperate need," Solimeo said.

Showing children how to help others opens them up to the idea that not everyone has all of the things they are accustomed to in their daily lives, Solimeo said.

Community service projects are just one part of the curriculum offered at KiddieAcademy, where children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age are also taught socialization skills, potty training, letters, numbers, shapes, reading and music according to their individual needs and abilities, Solimeo said.

Contact Jennifer Kohlhepp at examiner@ gmnews.com.