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Class "Outreach" Cards  
Presvytera. Lisa Avramis, St. Elias, San Bernardino, CA

"No doubt this site will grow and change as fellow teachers/coordinators write in and respond to what they read. An exchange of ideas can go a long way not only for the teacher but ultimately for the students. 

As for me, there are a few things I have done year after year. The kids (I've taught from 1st-5th grades) have always enjoyed these and I do to. 

1. Make get well cards for the children at Loma Linda University (The hospital sends over 10,000 cards each year, so the need is great). 

2. Make Valentine cards for the Veterans. (There is a Vet Hosp. in Redlands which we send them to). 

3. Make toiletry gift bags for the "Shut-ins" at our church. This year, actually, we made bags for teenagers, as I had read there was a need for this age group. 

I'm not real big on making cards for Mother's and Father's Day as I figure these kids have already done that in their schools. My purpose in doing these projects is to show my classes that even at their young age they can make a difference in another person's life. Also, that we are taught that "faith without works is dead." 

Hope this helps in some very small way... "

Pres. Lisa Avramis 

"The Kindness Tree" 
Sophia Thiros, St. Spyridon, San Diego, CA

Here is something that I have done in my preschool class for a few years now. I purchased a cut out tree from a  teacher's supply store, set it up on the wall with a  sign next to it that says "The Kindness Tree". The kids are told that the tree blooms when acts of kindness are performed. I send home seasonal cutout shapes (leaves for fall, snowflakes for winter, flowers for spring, hearts for February, etc.) with the student. When they perform some act of kindness the parent writes down on the cutout the child's name and what they did. They return the cutout to Sunday School and we put it on the tree. I also give out handmade certificates when they make the tree bloom. At the end of the year they get all their cutouts back to keep as a reminder of their accomplishments. I feel this encourages them to live their faith every day of the week and instills in them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Holywood Squares 

a new class game (in progress) by David Elfering, St. John the Baptist, Omaha, NE 

"Lenten Godparent dProgram" 
Diakonessa Pat Tsagalakis
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, Kenmore, WA

Wanted to let you know of a fabulous program we started at Holy Apostles. (we are a small mission church just North of Seattle, WA (Kenmore) with about 40 kids) 

Our Lenten Godparent program has been an amazing way to encourage children throughout the 40 days of Lent and connect them with a loving adult from our parish family. On meat-fare Sunday we have a sign up of adults willing to take on the responsibility as a Lenten Godparent. This is a commitment of praying daily for a child and writing a note of encouragement once a week. A postcard is sent to each Lenten God-parent the first week of Lent. It includes their Lenten godchild’s name, address, phone and birthday. They are asked to communicate via letter once a week and praying daily for that child. Often, after the initial connection is made some choose to extend the relationship - by attending a mid-week service together, receiving Holy Communion on Sunday, volunteering at the local food bank or simply sharing a meal together. All children of the parish are given a “Lenten Godparent” regardless of their involvement in the life of the church. It is an extraordinary outreach reminding families that the church family is there supporting and encouraging them. Saturday of Lazarus, we invite our Lenten Godparents to attend services side by side, share in a Lenten breakfast and after make Palm Crosses and decorate Easter Candles with their Lenten Godchild. It is such a wonderful way to connect our community and encourage us through the 40 days of Lent.

Christian Heroes
from Rockford, Illinois

Greetings in Christ! One of the things I am kind of bugged about today is the way kids worship athletes and movie stars, who really aren't much of role models at all for our children. As a church school teacher, I want to get the kids thinking about Christian role models, so what better way to accomplish this than by introducing them to the lives of the Saints? In order to get an idea of what kind of saints might pique their interest, I am going to have them write down who their "hero" is and why, and return it to me. I am going to (hopefully!) be able to try to pair up their favorite secular saint with an Orthodox saint that might have some of the same qualities that they admire. Wish me luck! If this works out well, perhaps it is an idea worth sharing. I get so frustrated with trying to make the lessons we are teaching more interesting for the kids--thank you for your site!