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GOOD DEEDS

by DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer | November 5, 2022 1:05 AM

It could be as small as making a card for someone in an assisted living center, or as big as raising hundreds of dollars for the local animal shelter.

In their own special ways, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy sixth graders performed acts of kindness and worked to make the world a better place through their Good Deeds projects, which wrapped up Friday.

Audrey Dinning made cookies for her neighbors.

"I enjoyed seeing my neighbors' surprised faces and them being happy I did this," she said. "I thought it would make them want to pay it forward too."

Grace Moore raised $265 and 80 pounds of supplies for the Companions Animal Center (formerly the Kootenai Humane Society), the nonprofit that cares for abandoned and homeless animals.

"I learned it was important to support our community," Grace said. "I hope it helps the animals that are in need. I would do this again because it was a heartwarming experience."

Sixth grade teacher Stacey Peppin said the Good Deeds project is a longstanding Charter tradition.

"Students find a need in our community and give back," she said. "We started working on this project at the beginning of October with developing ideas, writing thank you notes, personal narratives and completing two hours of community service."

The students shared informational exhibits about their projects during presentation nights in the school's gym Tuesday and Wednesday. They also walked through Forest Cemetery despite the rain and snow Friday morning to learn about being good stewards of their community, which includes caring for public parks and final resting places.

Zoey Lemmon picked up litter on Tubbs Hill to do her part to keep North Idaho beautiful.

"I learned it's important to clean up the earth and your environment," she said. "This made our community cleaner. I definitely will do this in the future and get more trash."

Avery Thompson volunteered at Treaty Rock Elementary School in Post Falls.

"I helped the teachers have more time for themselves and their families," she said. "I learned that cutting and laminating takes a long time. This will let them catch up on grading or whatever they have to do as a teacher."

Peppin said Good Deeds is one of her favorite units to teach.

"I love giving students the rewarding feeling of helping others to make our community the great place we call home," she said.

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Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy sixth grader Grace Moore discusses how she raised money and collected supplies for the Kootenai Humane Society during a presentation night at the school earlier this week. The Good Deeds project concluded Friday with a walk through Forest Cemetery.

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Zoey Lemmon, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy sixth grader, cleaned up trash on Tubbs Hill for her Good Deeds project.