Poignant book inspires West Madison children to grow ‘Mitten Tree’
MADISON – At West Madison Elementary School, a book greatly influenced youngsters to share the true meaning of Christmas.
Lawson Beshears, from left, and Mark Drake hang mittens on the Mitten Tree and Aysiah Young holds the book that inspired their idea at West Madison Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)
Children in the “Expanded Day Learning Group” at after-school care read “The Mitten Tree” by Candace Christiansen.
“In the book, an elderly woman, Sarah, secretly knits mittens for the young children that wait on the school bus near her house. She hangs the mittens on a nearby tree,” West Madison Assistant Principal Kathy D. Miller said.
The children have no idea about who leaves the mittens. However, when Sarah runs out of yarn, a basketful of new yarn mysteriously appears on her front porch.
Inspired by the book, West Madison students made their own Mitten Tree. “Then, they donated the mittens, hats and gloves to children at the Downtown Rescue Mission,” Miller said.
At West Madison, service projects always have been integral to the student experience. “Last year, our Student Leadership Team collected toys for the rescue mission. We also have yearly food drives and collect money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Miller said.
In addition, West Madison’s population bought and sent rubber ducks to the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School. “After the shooting, resource officers of Sandy Hook hid small rubber ducks all around the school when it opened back up. We wanted to help them continue to raise the spirits of those children who experienced such tragedy,” Miller said.
Miller has realized that children at West Madison “have such kind and loving hearts. They really want to help and be a part of something special for other children.”
West Madison’s Expanded Day Learning Group has approximately 50 children in grades K-6. The children stay after school and participate in STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), along with thematic art projects, sports, martial arts and theater, Miller said.
“It’s much more than an after-school care program. These students are learning so much more, including giving back to their community. I am very proud of them all,” Miller said.
