Lindbergh School District Continues Joplin Tornado Relief Efforts

The Lindbergh School District's staff, students and parents are making sure that the victims of the May 2011 Joplin tornado are not forgotten. According to the LSD website, several district schools are reaching out to Joplin schools still in need.

The following is a list of LSD schools who recently have given back: 

Kennerly Elementary School 

has buddied with Irving Elementary School in Joplin, which was completely destroyed by the storm.

Kennerly is organizing several activities all year through the school’s “One School, One Cause” service project. Students celebrate their birthdays by bringing a birthday bag of goodies for children in Joplin, instead of or in addition to birthday treats for their own classmates. In addition, they partnered with in October to collect coats. The “Truckload of Warmth” coat drive provided coats, scarves, gloves, sweaters and hats to Operation Homeland-Joplin.

One Teacher’s Story

During the first week of school, Kennerly students collected school supplies for students who attend Joplin Schools. Then, third-grade student teacher Christy Helmsing had the incredible opportunity to deliver those supplies to Cecil Floyd Elementary on Oct. 28. The delivery was conducted in partnership with The Teachers’ Lounge teacher supply store, where Helmsing works part time.

“I cannot even begin to explain what an amazing experience this was,” Helmsing said in a statement. “The students in the two classes where I delivered supplies said that Friday was ‘like Christmas.’ The teachers were very appreciative and thankful!”

Long Elementary School

music teacher Wes Kassulke developed a creative solution to a recurring problem, and found a way to raise $200 for Irving Elementary School in Joplin at the same time.

Many third-, fourth- and fifth-graders did not have cases for their recorders, or had lost their cases, so Kassulke asked his mother, Carolyn, to sew several handmade cases and sell them during lunches for 50 cents each. The students learn to play the recorders as part of their music curriculum.

Carolyn Kassulke, who lives in Sullivan, Mo., has volunteered in Joplin three times with her church, helping to clean homes and organize a distribution center. During her visit to Long School, she shared photos with students and talked about her experience.

“The money we raised will go to buy literacy book sets and electronic books at Irving,” Wes Kassulke said in a statement. “Their school was completely destroyed and they are having school in a temporary space.  Dr. Debbie Fort, the principal, was very thankful for all the help.”

Crestwood Elementary School

library assistant Beth Mazdra organized and conducted a "One For" fundraiser during the school’s Scholastic Book Fair. Students were reminded of the rebuilding Joplin effort and gave money to help rebuild Joplin school libraries. In all, the school collected $118 to purchase and mail books to Joplin.

Sperreng Middle School

Lindbergh parents, students and staff headed to Joplin Oct. 15 to build a new playground for Irving Elementary School and provide the American Red Cross with Lowes and Walmart gift cards, which were distributed to families in need. Some of the trip’s efforts were funded by a jeans day at Sperreng Middle School. Sperreng teachers and staff wore “Jeans for Joplin” to support the cause.

Concord Elementary School

Concord teachers recently wore “Jeans for Joplin” and raised $196.50.