Fifth graders at Lincoln Elementary School in St. Charles are tackling some pretty weighty topics–death and grieving–and helping people in the process.
The pupils recently prepared and served a lasagna dinner to 14 families in an eight-week grief-counseling program, “Herbie’s Friends,” at the Fox Valley Hospice in nearby Geneva.
It was part of an effort to try to make members of the 14 families, including 23 children, enrolled in the hospice program, feel better after losing a loved one, said Priscilla Brinkman, family services coordinator for the hospice.
Teacher Kathy McGee was familiar with the hospice and suggested the project when her class looked for a way to help people and celebrate Lincoln’s 75th anniversary.
The meal was part of an eight-week program in which families are taught how to grieve. They eat a group meal, then head to support groups and counseling sessions.
McGee sees more empathy in her students as a result of the work. “It’s flowing over into the lives of these kids. Their awareness of helping (others) is growing,” she said.
