Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014

Sun Valley Elementary students support Make-A-Wish Foundation Sun Valley Elementary students support Make-A-Wish FoundationSun Valley Elementary students Emanuel Hernandez, Sandra Artozaga and Sheyla Johnson, from left, join other students in writing letters for the Make-AWish Foundation. Sun Valley Elementary students are spreading hope for children in Union County by writing letters that will make hundreds of dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The project began before Thanksgiving break as students began discussing children in the area that had cancer during their media center time with SVES School Library Media Coordinator Kevin Vickers, SVES Instructional Support Louise Glover and SVES Instructional Support Thomasina Little. Many wrote extra letters at home and eagerly brought them in, meeting SVES Principal Terri Cooper and Assistant Principal Dwight Thompson in the hall, to give to Vickers. Students were told that for each letter of hope they wrote, Macy’s would donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Students were given the example of Hope Stout, a former Union County Public School student who was offered a wish from Make-A-Wish Foundation. Realizing Sun Valley Elementary students Emanuel Hernandez, Sandra that there were more than 150 children who were on Artozaga and Sheyla Johnson, from left, join other students in Make-A-Wish Foundation’s waiting list, Hope wished that writing letters for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. all these children would be able to receive their wish. Students also viewed Miles Scott from San Francisco 2013. “It is exciting to see our community come together in wish come true on YouTube. Scott wished to be Batman humanitarian efforts such as this,” Cooper said. for the day. San Francisco transformed into Gotham City on Vickers turned in the school’s approximately 800 letters to Nov. 15, 2013, in order to make this 5-year-old boy’s wish Macy’s at South Park. come true. Visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation online to find out more After all, Make-A-Wish Foundation is in the business of about this wish-granting organization. enriching human experiences with hope, joy, and strength by granting wishes of children with life-threatening medical Written by: Kevin Vickers , SVES School Library Media conditions, Vickers said. Coordinator Students began writing the letters the week of Nov. 18, Fun & Affordable For Everyone! Great Parties, Great Fun, We Bring It All! Over 50 Items! $145ll for fu day l renta Outdoor Sports & Movie Screens, Bounce Houses, Slides, Outdoor Drive-in, Concessions & More! 25% off a second rental unit for the same event Coupon Expires June 31, 2014 704.243.5336 www.bouncehouseman.com Tangles ● Knitting on Main 200 West North Main Street Waxhaw, North Carolina Phone: 704.243.7150 ● Hours: Tues. Fri. 10-5:30, Sat. 10-4 Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2014 • 11

Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014 | Page 13