At St. Andrew School in Orangeville, we have a special commitment to students and families. We tie that to the community at large because we live in a small town.  As part of our Virtues Education, we invited the education outreach team from a community agency to do presentations to our Primary students. Family Transition Place provides safety, support and hope to abused women, their children and our community. They offer residential programs and services including emergency shelter and transportation; counseling programs and services including a 24 hour crisis line, women, children and abused men workshops and support; and outreach services including legal and housing support.  As part of their Violence Prevention services they have youth education presentations and community incentives for prevention that are to raise awareness.

“Empathy is an important developmental process that all children need. Not only does empathy spur tolerance and understanding, it also sets up the basic foundation for all relationships and means of compromise. “ Charlie Gaston" Empathy is the ability to identify and understand another person’s feelings and emotions. Empathy is an important characteristic, and it’s never too early to teach to children how to be caring and understanding toward others.” Megan Richardson

The empathy presentations are geared to our primary age students. Pictures of puppies and dogs were shown and the  children talked with the presenter. The students were easily able to tell how the puppies were feeling. Later the discussion turned to the child’s own feelings. “The presentation’s focus on feelings helped the students identify, understand and to think about their own feelings as well as those of others. Empathy is a difficult concert for young children and FTPs (Family Transition Place) presentation provided a great entry level lesson to this concept.” Mrs. Foster Grade 1 teacher St Andrew school.

We asked what items were on their donation wish list. Students have been bringing in shampoo and cream rinse as this is their number one request at this time. Our parents are informed of the virtues each month, the children listen to the announcements given by the Youth Faith Ambassadors on the virtues and the families are providing the  hair care products that are going to people in our town who are in need. We are aware and are nurturing this  virtue as we are “Living in the Light of Christ “ by displaying empathy and “Loving in the Light of Christ” by giving back. This one small undertaking of the many that we do here at St  Andrew school in Orangeville, as we share of Catholic commitment to students, families and our small town  community.