CGS teachers and staff continue to 'Give Back to the Community'
<span>Teachers and staff at Chester Grade School have been giving back to the community in many ways for two and a half years.</span>
<span>The teaching aspect of their "giving back" is obvious as all teachers and staff are very caring, dedicated and directed toward giving the best education to the children in their care.</span>
<span>During the 2013-2014 school year, the teachers and staff at CGS began giving back to the community via a teacher-led program titled "Positive Give Back to the Community."</span>
<span>One of the major creators of the project is junior high science teacher Joann Meyer, who coordinates the monthly "give back" events.</span>
<span>On the first Wednesday of each month, the teachers and staff can voluntarily pay $5 to the "give back" program for the right to wear jeans to work.</span>
<span>"When we wear jeans we explain to the students that we are doing it with permission and that the $5 we donate to the 'give back' fund for the right to wear jeans goes to a different charity or worthy individual each month," Meyer said.</span>
<span>Chester District 139 has a dress code policy that states that teachers must dress in a professional manner. On a typical school day, that "professional manner" does not include wearing jeans.</span>
<span>"It is important to educate the kids regarding the importance of giving back to the community in which they live," Meyer said. "The students hopefully learn a very valuable lesson and we get the privilege of wearing jeans.</span>
<span>"The charity of the month gets a nice donation, so it is a win, win, win situation."</span>
<span>During the 2013-2014 school year, the teachers and staff at CGS donated $1,904.50 to local charities and individuals/entities in need.</span>
<span>Last school year, 2014-2015, a total of $2,769 was donated for a total of $4, 673.50 after two years.</span>
<span>This school year, thus far, the teachers and staff at CGS have donated $1,377.50 for a grand total of $6,050.50.</span>
<span>Some of the initial donations were made to the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Lions Club, Chester Senior Center, The Angel Fund, the Sparta Animal Clinic, Wee Care Program in Jacob for school supplies, Chester High School Project Graduation, The National M.S. Society in honor of former CGS teacher, Deb Guebert and the Chandler Family.</span>
<span>This year's first "Jeans Day" was Wednesday, September 2. The selected charity was St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and $300 was raised and donated. </span>
<span>In October, the program dedicated its earnings to the Pete Hittmeier Family.</span>
<span>Pete is a former Chester Grade School teacher who has been battling an illness and his daughter, Jennifer, has been battling cancer for some time.</span>
<span>The Jeans Day raised $335.50 to help the Hittmeiers with their medical expenses.</span>
<span>The November Jeans Day at CGS was dedicated to current CGS custodian, Donna Jany, who is also battling cancer.</span>
<span>Jany has had surgery and has had to miss work at CGS during numerous hospitalizations and treatments.</span>
<span>The program donated $470 to her to assist her in her time of need.</span>
<span>This month, Jeans Day raised $272 that was donated to the Memorial Hospital Tree of Remembrance campaign. </span>
<span>The effort is to be used to purchase trauma lights for the emergency room at the Chester facility.</span>