Pillow Elementary Day 5

Our last day at Pillow has been memorable. I am going to really miss everyone I worked with. The connections we all made with the kids were so genuine and strong.

Today all the Hyde Park Volunteers were running stations for track and field day. Some were doing throwing contests, dance offs, and the parachute game. Jilly Nickens and I were in charge of the relay station. We did potato sack races, kangaroo-hop races, and egg races. It was so fun to see each group of students run to our station with excitement and then compete and encourage one another.

We ate Schlotzsky’s for lunch which was generously provided by Pillow and we got re-energized to go play and dance with students the rest of the day.

Today was one of the most fun days I’ve had here at Pillow in both of my years. I loved being with the kids outside when they were free from school work and able to run and play.

As we left with big hugs, some lasting till the very last seconds, everyone felt that their hearts were full. Even though today was our last day, I encourage everyone to keep Pillow in their prayers and thoughts as the year progresses.

Pillow has been an amazing experience this year and I am so happy I was able to participate. Thank you to Ms. Polski and Mrs. Mullen’s and everyone it took to organize this trip. It has been truly a blast. Also, thank you to everyone who has been following along with the the blog. Y’all rock! I hope you enjoyed the daily updates and pictures.

Sincerely,

Kate Newman

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Pillow Elementary Day 4

As the week is concluding, we feel practically inseparable with the kids.

It has been a privilege this week to serve Pillow with my friends and I feel very thankful of this experience. I have been shown so much love by the children and truly feel very blessed.

Today we continued to decorate the halls in preparation of field day. Some students came up with class cheers that they will perform tomorrow. The Pillow students are practicing these cheers with much joy and can’t wait to show their peers.

In first grade we gave the students a spelling test and a math quiz. Jared, Josh, and I were also given timed math quizzes to take with the students. Jared and Josh both got one hundred percent, but sadly I couldn’t even come close to the first graders scores. ( With my failure I received hugs from every kid in that class and felt very encouraged)

During recess today, some Hyde Park students played another riveting basketball game, and played games with the kids.

We left Pillow ready for our next adventure which just so happened to be Chili’s. Everyone ordered food and we chowed down after our long day of work and play.

We are looking forward to field day tomorrow, but we are also sad that the week is coming to a close.

Pillow Elementary Day 3

Although we’re halfway through the week, our hearts are already full of love. We came to serve the students, but we feel very spiritually filled by these kids.

We started the day with Ms. Polski’s “mudge” (mole-fudge) and the day just got better from there. Once we got to the school we were greeted with hugs and a cheer from the kids. We mainly worked on preparing for field day. This included: painting pictures of a giant raspberry, drawing pictures of yogurt cups, and decorating many bulletin boards. Some students spent most of their time cutting out about 1,500 “Panther Pesos” and other cut out unique and intricate paper kites.

In first grade, we helped the kids comprehend the factor families and practiced our song about raspberries about 10 times.

” My favorite part of today was cutting out over one hundred and fifty laminated papers.”

-Amelia McConnico

We left with hungry stomachs as we headed to Sonic for some snacks. I loved bonding with everyone at Sonic, and we are all very excited to return tomorrow.

-Kate Newman

Pillow Elementary Day 2

Today the fun continued with hanging flags, decorating the halls, and sharpening yet more pencils. In the first grade classes, we continued our leprechaun craft and helped the kids spell in their writing notebooks. We enjoyed playing basketball with the second graders during recess and ran laps with them.

“My favorite part of today was getting to eat lunch with the kids.” -Georgia West

Today all the Hyde Park students helped in the lunch line and all enjoyed having time out of the class room with the Pillow kids.

“My favorite part of today was at lunch when the kids were telling me about all of their relationships.” -Logan Brossette

We are continuing to build relationships with everyone at Pillow and we can’t wait to return tomorrow!

-Kate Newman

Pillow Elementary Day 1

Today, we had a great kickoff to the week. We have already developed friendships with the students and the teachers. We set the world record for most pencils sharpened in a day. We organized closets for teachers and worked on science experiments.

In Mrs. Rose’s first grade class we learned about Saint Patrick’s Day and helped the kids complete their leprechaun math crafts.

“My favorite part of the day was writing the raspberry song for the first graders. Raspberry, Raspberry, Raspberry, Rose..”

-Jared Diggs

In music class, the Pillow students learned to play the recorder with assistance from Ava Tucker.

“The kids needed a little more practice, but they are getting there.” -Ava Tucker

We all left with big hugs from the kids, and are all excited to go back and serve tomorrow.

-Kate Newman

Preparing for Pillow Elementary 3/8/19

The team and I are very excited as we are about to head into GO week. In our last meeting we discussed our jobs, duties, and went over our daily schedule. We’re looking forward to our fudge and sonic treat on Wednesday.

As a returner to Pillow, I am especially excited and hopeful to see the kids we worked with last year. We made such deep connections with them in the short amount of time we had there, and this is my hope for this year.

“I am most excited to spend time with friends, old and new! I’m so glad to serve Pillow Elementary and build relationships with the kiddos there.” -Jilly Nickens

We would love if you would pray for the children we are serving, and that God would give us opportunities to spread His love.

I’ll update you again soon,

Kate Newman

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