AES Family Movie Night was a huge success! This service learning project began on New Year’s Eve as one 3rd grade student, Emilie Adams, watched the movie ¨Dolphin Tale¨. She was so inspired by the true story of Winter the Dolphin, she quickly began to jot down ideas for a way that she knew AES could make a difference.
Emilie presented her idea to all the GATE (Gifted and Talented Enrichment) classes at AES. The students loved the idea and wanted to help! Ty Murphy and Sam Sheets wanted to join Emilie in her mission. Together these three students presented their idea for a movie night to raise money for Winter the dolphin to Mrs. Mona Sheets, principal of AES. The students wanted to ask superintendent, Dr. Ric Ayer for his approval. After presenting their idea through a keynote presentation in the board room at the board of education, Dr. Ayer, Mrs. Joyce Bishop, and Mr. Tim Tidmore loved the idea and asked the students if they would present their proposal to the school board. Ty, Emilie, and Sam presented their idea to the school board and about 40 guests at the board meeting. The school board members voted unanimously in favor of their endeavor.
The students designed the beginning idea for the t-shirt, chose dolphin necklaces to sell, planned how to pre-sell tickets, made a shopping list, bought the candy, ordered the pizza, asked for student, parent, and teacher volunteers, and worked at the movie night. A movie license was purchased so that showing the movie would be “legal” without infringing on any copyright violations. The movie was shown on a huge inflatable screen on the stage. It was great! All AES students and families were invited to attend with GATE students and families sponsoring the event. Thank you, GATE families, for selling concessions, cleaning up, setting up the lunchroom tables, and selling dolphin necklaces and tickets! I treasure my GATE kids and families and I THANK YOU for your support and time to help with this event!!!
Almost 300 tickets were pre-sold for our movie night! Concessions were a big hit, too. The lunchroom was “pleasantly crowded” with families and friends enjoying the inspiring story of Winter in the featured movie. Students who purchased t-shirts wore them proudly! With students, teachers, and parents pulling together for this worthy cause, our school is proud to announce that Albertville Elementary will be able to donate $1,300.00 to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida!
Never underestimate the power of a child. Who knew that on New Year’s Eve a seed would be planted that would impact the hearts of so many children and one very special dolphin named Winter?!
