What’s your favorite color? Do you have any pets? What’s it like to live on a ship?
These are a sample of some of the questions 23 kindergarten students from Clarendon School asked during the week of March 4, when they wrote letters of gratitude, encouragement, and advice to the sailors as part of Operation Military Gratitude, an effort that includes adopting the USS John C. Stennis, an aircraft carrier deployed in the Indian Ocean.
The effort was part of a national effort in conjunction with National Handwriting Day, Jan. 23, the birthdate of John Hancock, who is well-known for his large, exhibitionistic signature on the Declaration of Independence. It was organized by Learning Without Tears, an education company, and VetAdvisor, which provides integrative care for veterans. More than 500 classrooms across the US participated.
Manal Abuhouran, the kindergarten teacher, said the letter writing campaign hoped to improve students’ skills as well as to allow them to express their gratitude.
The national program was started in 2004 at a time when American military was engaged in several conflicts worldwide. Programs like this, according to several veterans groups, helps show support for those in the military who are far away from home. These programs help reconnect the military members with the world they left behind.
“The idea is to allow students to use their skills while communicating with the sailors.” — Manal Abuhouran
Justin wrote about who he was, and where he went to school, asking similar questions. “I want to know what the sailor is like,” he said. He asked what the sailor’s favorite colors are, and what kind of food.
“I wanted to know what it’s like aboard the ship,” he said.
Many of the students asked about food, and most of them said they liked pizza and wondered if the sailors got pizza on their ship.
Samantha had similar questions about what life was like on a ship.
Ariel, who asked about the sailors’ favorite colors, said she loved all colors and also liked pizza.
“I wouldn’t want to go to sea,” said Allie. “I wouldn’t want to be far away from my family.”
Maja said in her letter that she appreciated what the sailors were doing.
“I am thankful for them saving our country,” she said in her letter.
She said she wanted to know if the sailors lived on the ship and what that life was like.
Evan asked about the sailor’s pets and whether or not they were allowed to have any on board the ship.
“I have a dog,” he said.
Unlike several of his classmates, Evan said he would like to know more about the life of sailors.
“I would love to go on a boat,” he said.
Alexander asked in his letter what sailors do for exercise.
“I play soccer,” he said when asked about his own activities.
Handwriting aids skills development
Born and raised in Secaucus, Abuhouran has been teaching in Secaucus for about eight years, and elsewhere for another 12. She said programs like this help kids learn various skills.
Christine Cuccia from TellMed Strategies and Learning Without Tears program helped arrange the letter writing campaign.
“Studies have shown that learning handwriting can contribute to a student’s success academically, and for a wide-range of post-academic pursuits,” Cuccia said. “If a child’s writing is slow or illegible, it can adversely affect the child’s school performance across all subjects, including math, and directly impacts a child’s overall academic confidence.”
Although there is no guarantee the sailors will write back, many of the students are hopeful.
“This is part of our school’s Acts of Kindness” program,” Abuhouran said.
In the past, the kids have written to President Obama, and actually got a letter back.
For updates on this and other stories check hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Al Sullivan can be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com
