Battell Elementary 3rd graders become pen pals with Houston students

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MISHAWAKA, Ind.-After Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, School City of Mishawaka wanted to step in and lend a helping hand. Earlier this month, the district hosted a school supply drive. Now, a third grade class at Battell Elementary is pen pals with Houston students.

Charlene McKay is a 3rd grade teacher and started her teaching career in Houston before moving to Mishawaka.

Her students began being pen pals with students in Houston through the Flat Stanley program. Stanley is a paper man that the kids created and sent it to their Houston friends, who took photos of the figure around different parts of the city.

Now, kids are writing handwritten letters to help comfort the students who lost everything.

“Words and the meaning behind their experiences are what we’re focusing on and our supplies that the community rallied behind will just be the icing on the cake for those little darlings,” McKay said.

McKay also bought a wordless picture book called “Flood.” She’s using it as a way to teach her kids what Houston is going through.

“I think they’ve taken the bull by the horns and they’ve enjoyed communicating with our friends,” McKay said. “It’s been a learning experience for everybody,” McKay said.

School City of Mishawaka collected nearly 3,000 pounds of school supplies. Feed the Hungry in South Bend hopes to drive the supplies down to Holbrook Elementary School in Houston within the next few days.

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