A group of second-grade students from Memorial Elementary reported to the Mendon-Upton Regional School District School Committee on April 7 that their class raised $1,217.07 for Heifer International to help families in Uganda.

"We read the book Beatrice's Goat," said a student who identified herself at the meeting as part of the second-grade group. Students described how the book and classroom activities taught them about global citizenship, counting money and donating proceeds to support families that lack access to steady income. The students said they used the funds to purchase six goats, one water buffalo, one pig, two honeybee hives and several chicks for Heifer International programs; a staff member at the meeting explained that each animal multiplies through reproduction and that the students' donations have a multiplied impact.

Nut graf: The presentation, delivered during the student comment period, highlighted hands-on curricular links between literature, math and service learning; students described both the learning goals and the fundraiser results.

Students listed their names for the record and explained the project's goals and outcomes. "We raised $1,217.07," one student said. They also described classroom activities connected to the project and answered committee members' questions about how the animals provide milk and income to families. The students closed by encouraging others to find ways to help.

The committee received the presentation without a formal vote; members praised the students' work.