The Robbins Elementary School ROCKETS describe their school as “The School of the Future”.
The future for Robbins’ Fourth Graders now includes animal advocacy!
They recently completed a six session program about pet responsibility presented by volunteers from the Moore County Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC).
At a recent Assembly, celebrating all they had learned during the program, sixty students were LAUNCHED into the community as animal advocates.
The Assembly included the students, 4th grade teachers (Ms. Galloway, Ms. Kamer, Ms. Cruz) plus Ms. Grajalas, pet responsibility teachers and some very special guests: “Speuter”, several parents of the Speuter Story winners , Robert Williams & Dawn Bowden from JAS K9 Dog Training Inc., JAS K9 clients, Sara Johnson and her therapy dog, Dama.
At the beginning of the Assembly, the students impressed everyone in attendance with their knowledge about being responsible pet owners and the importance of spaying or neutering pets.
They were reminded that they had already executed an act of advocacy with their art work and pet responsibility messages on ‘Clinic Bags’. The Clinic Bags will be used by the Sandhills Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic to distribute post-procedure medications and instructions. During the Assembly, several students were recognized for their excellent clinic bag artwork and messages; Evan B., Daisy B., Daniel, Ivana, Donavan S., Hannah N., Biak T., Amelia B., and Isabella P. They all received art drawing pads and a box of crayons for their excellent efforts.
During the program, students were also asked to write “Speuter” stories, explaining why it’s important to spay or neuter their pets. Congratulations go out to: Natalie D., Amelia B., Alondra R., Kimberly V., Christian G., Italia D., and Jaylee S. The students’ families, who were invited to the Assembly, received a free spay or neuter for their pet! In addition, the seven Speuter winners received a framed certificate, paw medallion and a Christmas notepad with pen. If a Speuter winner’s pet was already spayed or neutered they became automatic advocates! Their free surgery will be awarded to another student whose pet needs to be spayed or neutered.
“Kitty Speuter”, the PRC mascot, read a poem about her life and talked to the students about being advocates for animals. Speuter was excited to help distribute the clinic bag and “Speuter” awards.
All who attended the Assembly were thrilled to meet Robert Williams, JAS K9 Dog Training, and listen to him first share his experiences as a former Sergeant with the Southern Pines K9 Police Department. Mr. Williams then talked to the audience about being a dog trainer. He introduced Ms. Johnson and her therapy dog, Dama. Mr. Williams demonstrated some dog training techniques and shared valuable information about careers working with dogs and the importance of being responsible pet owners.
Mr. Williams was so impressed with the students’ knowledge and kindness, he generously presented the teachers and students with a check for $200 as a congratulations for being such good students. Maybe for a pizza party?!
Everyone gave Mr. Williams, Ms. Bowden, Ms. Johnson and Dama a very enthusiastic round of applause!
At the end of the Assembly, the students made a pledge to be kind, responsible advocates for animals. They received a poster to display in the school to remind them of their promise!
The fourth grade teachers and Ms. Grajalas were given festive poinsettias as a thank you for sharing their students with the PRC teaching team.
Each student received a goody bag that included a PRC bookmark with important phone numbers, a PRC sticker, Christmas pencil & eraser, pencil sharpener, and candy with meaning: a Lifesaver, a Hershey’s Kiss, a Candy Cane and a Kit Kat.
The Robbins’ 4th grade students have LIFTED OFF into the world of animal advocacy. The ‘SKY IS THE LIMIT’ for the Robbins 4th grade animal advocates!
