Judd Elementary looks after Louisiana school

BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Through the efforts of computer teacher Jennifer Herrick, Judd Elementary School has adopted a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade sister school in Marrero, La.

“I found them on the federal Department of Education Web site. I was inspired by my son’s school in Sayreville. At the end of September, I contacted a couple of schools, and Estelle [Elementary School] was the one who responded,” she said.

Herrick looked for a school affected by Hurricane Katrina that provided a long list of needed items. In corresponding with school officials, she learned that Estelle had 133 children who lost homes, four babies of the staff born during the hurricane out of state and a number of staff members who lost their parents.

“They happened to be a perfect match. They are pre-K through fifth-grade, so they’re like a sister school. The similarities are shocking. But they are a larger school than we are. They had over 100 students displaced. The population is normally 1,300 but now they are taking in other towns,” Herrick said.

To assist Estelle Elementary as they try to return to normal life, Judd students and faculty are participating in a number of fundraising activities to raise money and supplies for the school.

“Our plan is to continue this ‘attitude of gratitude’ all year long,” Principal Barbara Gibbons said. “At Judd, the subject of service is considered to be as important as reading, writing and arithmetic.”

During December, the school is selling wristbands, for $2 or $3 each, inscribed with the slogan “Kids who care ... share” and “Estelle Elementary 05-06” on the opposite side. The school hopes to raise as much as $4,000 for Estelle Elementary. The school is also planning to send faculty members at Estelle their own wristbands along with the check donation, according to Judd Director of Elementary Instruction Kathy Cave.

Judd’s faculty will also be fundraising at its holiday party this month. For the second year in a row, the staff will create about 20 themed gift baskets and raffle them off.

“It’s not just the kids, it’s the adults working really hard on this too,” Gibbons said.

Last year the funds from the gathering went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year the baskets will be purple, green and yellow to represent Mardi Gras.

“It is our salute to Louisiana and to Estelle Elementary School,” Cave said.

Since the beginning of the school year, Judd has mailed over 60 boxes of clothing, toys, personal products and school supplies, which they are constantly replenishing.

At first, Steve Hohwald, the husband of fifth-grade teacher Christine Hohwald, offered his employee discount at DHL to ship the first 15 boxes to Louisiana. Bob DeJean, the husband of computer teacher Faith DeJean, then offered the services of his Princeton-based company to ship the boxes free of charge starting in November.

“He himself has shipped 50 to 60 boxes. He has saved us thousands of dollars in shipping. And the boxes weigh about 15 to 20 pounds each,” Herrick said.

The school has also raised $2,000 so far in monetary donations. The students raised $530 during “Stars for Estelle” on Oct. 26 in which they donated $1 to put a star with their name on it on a bulletin board. Teachers were able to wear jeans on a designated day for a donation of their choice, raising $540.

The students have also become pen pals with the students in Marrero.

“In realizing through their letters and e-mails that we really can make a difference, our hearts have grown much warmer,” Gibbons said.

“I think it’s important for children to realize this could’ve been us. We’re not that far from the Jersey coast. ... The school is just like us, the children are just like us,” Herrick said. “It is important any time of the year, beyond academics, to understand charity. ... We are not just helping Estelle but Judd students too. It is a character education builder and a springboard for pen pals. It goes across the board what they can learn from it.”