Brunswick Acres Students and Staff Get Artistic to Aid Japan

In the art classroom at Brunswick Acres Elementary School on Tuesday, a group of students sat around a table with their concentration locked on the task at hand, carefully folding paper into the shape of a origami crane.  But the project they were working on isn't for an assignment and they aren't being graded for it.  The students were pouring their energy into a project that will help to raise money in support of Japanese rebuilding efforts.

The organization Students Rebuild has partnered with DoSomething.org’s Paper Cranes for Japan initiative. For every paper crane received, the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 to Architecure for Humanity to assist the Japanese rebuilding effort following the massive earthquake that struck Sendai, Japan on March 11. The earthquake resulted in a tsunami that destroyed the coastline located about 180 miles from Tokyo.

"This is a great opportunity to be part of a global initiative with students from all over the world," said Brunswick Acres art teacher Suzanne Tiedemann, who headed up the school's efforts for the project.  "Through artwork, the students can make a contribution to their peers in Japan and assist with the rebuilding efforts.  This is an initiative that gives students the ability to help in an authentic way, driven by compassion and kindness."

In the weeks since Brunswick Acres has been participating in the initiative students and staff members have made over 1,000 cranes, which translates to over $2,000 raised by Brunswick Acres for Japan, as that total grows more and more each day.

Staff members assisting with the initiative said the students take away a more enduring message about helping others through a project like this than they would by donating a few dollars.

"The lesson they're learning is so valuable but if we just asked them to donate $2 I don't think they would get it quite as well," said third grade teacher Margo LaRocca.  "They work hard on these cranes and it helps them to truly understand what it means to give a gift."

The initiative has a goal of 100,000 paper cranes to trigger a $200,000 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation.  Once that goal is reached, all of the cranes will be woven into an art installation as a symbolic gift from students around the world to Japanese youth.  According to legend, anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, which is a sacred creature in Japanese culture, Tiedemann said. 

School librarian Gerry Myers helped the students begin the process at Brunswick Acres by passing around photocopies of paper crane directions and also sharing an instructional how-to video.  

Tiedemann also inspired students to get involved by creating an expert list of student crane makers posted by the collection box outside her class.  The list acts as an invitation to other students who need assistance with making the cranes.

Students can also add their names to the "5 or more Club" list that she posted near the art room.  Students who make five or more cranes get to add their names and the number of cranes they made to the list. 

"When I first discovered Paper Cranes for Japan, I knew it would be a very meaningful way for students to make a difference and make authentic global connections," Tiedemann said.  "What I have been noticing is that we are also forming special connections right within our own school as children of all ages and teachers of all levels are connecting too."

While acutely aware that each crane they make means a $2 donation, many of the children involved with the project said they hope the cranes help brighten the day of the youth in Japan affected by the tragedy.

"I hope they feel a little happy and know that we're there for them," said third-grader Jinal Patel.  "Whatever struggles they have, they can always ask us for help."

Fourth-grader Chelsea Eltringham offered similar sentiments when explaining how she got involved in the initiative.

"I hope they know that the Brunswick Acres school cares about them," she said.

Fourth-graders Seth Gleason and Jose Vega said making the cranes allowed them to raise money for a good cause by doing an activity that they find relaxing. Fourth-grader Nikhila Obbineni agreed that making the cranes wasn't just all hard work and no fun.

"It's really enjoyable to work on this," she said.  "We know that we're doing something to help them and I hope they feel happiness when their city is rebuilt again."

However, a word of caution was offered by fifth-grader Bladen Lee for anyone who thinks they can just dive right in and start making cranes without preparation.  Bladen should know as one of the school's most prolific crane makers.

"The first time you try it, it's really hard so you need to really follow the instructions, watch the video and concentrate," Bladen said.  

Tiedemann said the students at Brunswick Acres are well informed, having prior knowledge of the tragedy, which prompted many of them to join the cause.

"Our students are very aware of what's going on in Japan and many of them came to school already knowing about it," she said.  "They saw the devastation and wanted to help, so they joined with their peers and took action."

One of those students was fifth-grader Samantha Rickle, who said she made 25 cranes in two hours one evening.

"When I heard what happened I really wanted to help," Samantha said.  "When I started making the cranes, I tried so many times but I kept getting it wrong.  Then I finally got it right and I was really proud of myself."

In addition to crediting the help of staff members like special education teacher Brian Donovan and fourth grade teacher Christina Cacace, Tiedemann said the initiative at Brunswick Acres wouldn't be what it is without the support of school principal Neel Desai.

"Without the support from the administration this wouldn't be possible," Tiedemann said.  

In addition to the cranes, Tiedemann's fourth grade students made "Wishes for Japan" paintings.  After posting a video of the paintings on her Facebook page, Tiedemann said within hours another teacher who she never met provided her with an email address of an art teacher in Japan named Kawashima Makio.  Tiedemann sent Makio her video featuring the Brunswick Acres "Wishes for Japan" paintings.

"He replied saying I will be eternally grateful for your video you have given us," Tiedemann said.  "That's just so great for our kids to see."

The video was also posted on a Japanese Art Education web site.  Before she mails the cranes made at Brunswick Acres to Students Rebuild in Seattle, Tiedemann said she will take a photo of the cranes to post on the Paper Cranes for Japan Facebook page. 

"Each day, new photos grace this web page featuring beautiful cranes and wishes from students, teachers, and others all over the world," Tiedemann said.  "I am going to ask students to assist me with writing our wishes that will accompany the photo of our cranes."

As they continue to work pouring their hearts into making the cranes each day, at home and in school, the students have gained a sense of empowerment from doing their part to aid those in need.

"I feel really good helping people who are really far away," said third-grader Joseph Inzano.  "I feel like I accomplished something by helping somebody even if I don't even know their name.  It feels great."

Click on the videos above to view the Brunswick Acres "Wishes for Japan" video or the How to Make a Crane video.

Click here to learn more about making paper cranes to join in the Cranes for Japan initiative.