Students at Gulf Coast Elementary School are using technology to help a local 501 c(3) animal shelter further its mission of helping the abused, abandoned and neglected animals of Baldwin County. Thanks to 2nd grade teacher, Julie Tassin, the children have been creating shortcuts on their iPads so that they can visit The Haven web page each day. “The children notice when there are new pets up for adoption,” said Tassin, “and know a lot of the pets’ names.” For the past five years, Ms. Tassin’s students have been collaborating with the non-profit creating decorated manila envelopes for the paperwork that each Haven adopter receives.
This time, said Tassin, they are even using the pets’ names in their illustrations. They are reading the narrative of the animals, learning their characteristics, and sharing them with others. Technology will soon enable the two locations to connect so the students and The Haven staff can communicate with each other from their respective locations. “Using technology is a way that the children can learn about all that The Haven does and the importance of supporting the shelter,” said Tassin. “In addition, The Haven will be able to see how we are integrating the shelter across the curriculum in the classroom.” Furthermore, the children are collecting coins for The Haven, and future ventures may include a Pets on Parade project, as well as collecting blankets and towels for the cold weather.
“I am amazed at the dedication these children have,” said Mike Graham, The Haven’s Executive Director. “When we approached Ms. Tassin requesting colorful custom adoption envelopes and homemade shelter decorations created by her students, it was clear that this teacher had a passion for educating our future generation about pet responsibility.” Graham added: “Our Humane Education Outreach Program is one tool we utilize to ultimately enable Baldwin County to be a euthanasia-free location. We use every means that we can to get our message across and Julie Tassin is a rock star in helping us pass on that message! Through her efforts, not only are the adopters receiving their pet’s paperwork in decorated envelopes, but the children, in the process, are learning so much about The Haven and animal welfare at the same time. Whether she has them collect money, or make decorations for the shelter – which we hang every season – we are proud to work closely with her to educate our youth on pet responsibility and I feel confident that we can reach that goal.”
Attached Photograph
2nd grade students at Gulf Coast Elementary show off the envelopes they have been decorating for The Haven. Shown: (front, from left): Madison Hubbard, Mary Kate Lumpkin, Maze Thomas-Gordon and Heidi Calloway. (center, from left): Whitney Collins, Ellie Bunting, Isabella Martins, Tyler Ellis, Tucker King, Ella Jenkins, Tommy Harris, and Sawyer Wilson. (back, from left): Maryanna Chavers, Sabun Perry, Bria Delong, Gabriel Ingram, Spencer Kizer, Sienna Tremain, and Savannah Sandlin.