WESTFIELD-Flocks of flamingos are once again gracing the lawns of many city residents and all for a great cause – to help support a long-standing tradition – assisting eighth grade students at South Middle School who visit Washington, D.C. in the spring.
Jen Thielen, coordinator for this spring’s “You’ve Been Flocked” fundraiser, is hopeful that the remaining flock assignments will be sold soon ensuring that funds will be in place before the students leave for the school trip which is scheduled May 29 to June 1.
Jen Thielen is coordinating the third “You’ve Been Flocked” fundraiser to benefit a school trip for eighth grade students at South Middle School.
Each flocking assignment is $10 and consists of 15 flamingos on one’s lawn (or as a surprise to someone on their lawn). For persons who prefer not to be flocked, an insurance fee is set at $20. Flocks must be set up within city limits but cannot be displayed on public property or at apartment complexes and trailer parks.
“The flamingos arrive after dark which allows for some mystery,” said Thielen, noting the crews setting up the displays are families of eighth grade students. “After 24 hours the flamingos are removed under darkness so the next display can be set up.”
Thielen said that family participation makes the fundraiser “fun and lends itself to some silliness.”
“Our families enjoy hanging out together and have banded together to make this a success,” said Thielen, noting that 60 flamingos are set up each night.
Throughout the year, eighth grade students and their families have also sold calendars and solicited funds at Wal-Mart and Dunkin Donuts to raise funds for the Washington, D.C. trip.
“Our flamingos are our biggest fundraiser,” said Thielen.
Crystal Hollister, lead social studies teacher at South Middle School, is coordinating the logistics for the trip and notes the importance of exposing students to the social sciences.
“In a world where our students are receiving less and less instruction in social studies, the civic awareness this trip can bring to our students is even more important than ever,” said Hollister.
Hollister noted that the vision of the city’s History and Social Studies Department is to inspire students to become active, informed citizens who can use the past to shape the future.
“Through the diverse sights on this trip, our students will be able to get a glimpse into the major events in our country’s nearly 242-year history,” said Hollister.
Highlights of the trip will include viewing the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives, experiencing colonial life at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and learning about the break with Britain in the Revolutionary War at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
“Students will also understand the struggle our country endured when coming to terms with the end of slavery and defining the role of state’s rights in the Civil War at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Hollister.
Hollister added that students will appreciate the nation’s ongoing effort to question its responsibilities within the world during visits to the World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam memorials, as well as the Pentagon’s 9/11 memorial.
“Most importantly, students will learn about the perspectives of people from the past, and how those perspectives changed, which in turn influenced policy and the very definition of liberty itself,” said Hollister.
Students will also visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and stand at the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
“Our students will witness peaceful demonstrations on the National Mall, as people today advocate for changes to our laws as our definition of liberty is further shaped,” said Hollister.
For persons interested in supporting the flamingo fundraiser, send an email to Thielen at [email protected] or call her at (413) 454-5934.
“General donations will also be accepted after flocking orders have sold out,” said Thielen.
Hollister is grateful that city residents are supporting this cause to help defray the cost for the 71 students registered for the trip.
“Our students will learn to see our nation and its laws as more than just a lifeless, dusty story from the past, but an evolving system that can be altered and refined to better reflect the perspectives of today, so that our students may be the nation’s leaders in the future,” said Hollister.
