One of Drumheller’s most unique school programs came to a close last week.
Roots of Empathy, which is delivered to students at St. Anthony’s and Greentree Schools, wrapped up another successful year on Wednesday, May 29, with a thank you dinner for the instructors, teachers, organizers, and moms who help run the program.
“It’s amazing program. The kids and teachers love it, and it’s an opportunity for the parents to share,” said Cathy Smoliak, Drumheller Family Community Support Serves coordinator.
The program runs for most of the school year and is designed to instill empathy within Drumheller’s youngest minds.
Roots of Empathy closed another year with a thank you dinner for instructors, teachers, organizers, and moms on the evening of May 29. Pictured (back; l-r) Melanie Pappas, Shirley Wilton, Kayla Angeltvedt, Betina Gross, Sandy Pasula, Amber Channell, Kim Pearson, Misty Griffith, Brenda Karg, Terri Wood and Cathy Smoliak, with (front; l-r) Shirlee and Danielle Makse, Gina and Peyton Malansky, Megan and Everett Mason, Melissa and Verity D’Onofrio-Jones.
“Roots of Empathy is a program delivered to Grade 1 students at St. Anthony’s School and Grade 5 students at Greentree School,” said Smoliak. “The instructors undergo training and bring in a mom and her baby to the classroom to deliver 27 different lessons to students. The intent is to increase empathy in our children, so they are more socially and emotionally competent. They see the mom and the baby, and learn about their growth.”
Organizers are already looking ahead to next year and are searching for instructors and new moms to be a part of teaching the developing minds of Drumheller’s children.
“At the start of the program in October, we’re looking for babies who are between two to four months old,” said Smoliak. “We’re looking at trying to recruit more instructors for next year and, ideally, we need more babies.”
