World Diabetes Day is November 14
Raising diabetes awareness and compassion in our schools
On November 14, all of the students and adults at Excelsior Elementary, Minnetonka Middle School West, and Minnetonka Middle School East were given blue ribbons, information cards, and watched a video (WDD video) about World Diabetes Day. Posters and facts about diabetes are on display. Some classes also invited guest speakers to share experiences of what it's like to live with diabetes. It was a special day to raise awareness for an issue that affects so many people—in our community and around the world.Students made 4,000 blue ribbons, painted posters, and prepared materials for every classroom. They were ready for action on World Diabetes Day! You can read more about the project in this article in the Lakeshore Weekly News!
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| Students Virginia and Seth shared with classes what it's like to have type 1 diabetes |
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| Handouts for Excelsior Elementary students |
Middle School Caring Chains
On World Diabetes Day, all of the middle school students and staff are creating long "caring chains." On blue paper strips, students write a wish or hope for people who have diabetes. If they know someone with diabetes, they write who they are (“my sister Virginia”). Students are assembling the strips into long paper caring chains to display. The chains make WDD personal for every student and inspire compassion. They also fit with the message of Rachel's Challenge.
Big Blue Test—Helping Others
This week PE classes have been participating in the Big Blue Test, a simple way our schools can support global diabetes relief work. The Big Blue Test, organized by the Diabetes Hands Foundation, is getting out the message to get active! For everyone who is active at least 14 minutes, Roche Corp. donates $5 to diabetes charities providing life-saving insulin and saving lives around the world. One PE class of 40 students would raise $200. Imagine the difference a whole school could make!
For information about the Big Blue Test, click here.
Click here to see an amazing video about the work being done in Haiti and here to learn about an organization at work helping people with diabetes in the Dominican Republic.
For more information, contact Sarah Morrow at sarahmorrow@mac.com.
