Preschool students at Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary are participating in a donation drive to support the Kyrene Family Resource Center. The initiative, which takes place throughout November, involves collecting food, clothing, and personal care items.
Melissa Belton, a preschool teacher at Estrella, played a key role in organizing the drive. “Through this project, children discover how small acts of giving can make a big difference for families in need,” Belton said. “It helps our students build empathy, social awareness and a sense of connection to their community.”
The effort includes students from three different preschool programs: Integrated Preschool, which serves both children with developmental delays and their typically developing peers; the self-contained preschool for students with special needs; and the Reggio-Emilia Preschool program that emphasizes hands-on learning. Leaders from these programs believe the drive encourages unity among all classrooms.
Superintendent Laura Toenjes expressed her support for the project and its connection to district goals. “This is the portrait in action, with Estrella preschoolers demonstrating what it means to be collaborators, problem-solvers and community contributors,” Toenjes said. “Projects like this prove even our youngest community members can have a meaningful impact.”
Students are involved in gathering items such as shampoo, soap, clothes, canned goods and other pantry staples. Organizers have already delivered an initial batch of donations to the Family Resource Center. Collections will continue until November 24.
More information about Kyrene preschool programs is available on their website.
Further details about the Kyrene Family Resource Center can also be found online.
