By: Ana Pichardo—
Muncie, IN —On November 15th, Northside Middle School sixth grade reading teacher Jason Young was awarded a McDonald’s $500 Make Activities Count (MAC) grant.
Tuesday morning, Director of Operations for the Muncie area Ken Phillips, General Manager of the Chadam Lane store Amy Rogers, and Northside Principal Jackie Samuels surprised Young and his class with an oversized check and the news that he received the grant.
With this grant, Young’s students will participate in service learning projects. Young aims to create 100 “bark bags” for families who adopt rescue animals. The bags will include treats, toys, and student-made cartoons. Young’s goal is for students “to connect to the animals and people of the community, empathize with the shelter animals, experience the joy and pride of helping, and experience the personal satisfaction of being a positive member of society,” according to his grant proposal. In addition to preparing “bark bags,” students will read fictional and nonfictional stories about pets, as well as stretch their creative writing skills.
This project materialized from two of Young’s passions: reading and animals. He volunteers with the Muncie Animal Shelter by walking dogs on a weekly basis. Young is also the author of children’s historical fiction novel Wanted: The Hunt for Dillinger and His Stash.
The Muncie Community Schools (MCS) serve approximately 6000 students from Muncie and the surrounding area. MCS provides a range of diverse opportunities for children as well as adult basic education. For more information about MCS events, programs or services, please contact Ana Pichardo, Director of Communications at 765-747-5210 or apichardo@muncieschools.org. Follow MCS on Twitter @MuncieSchools and like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/MCS1Official.
