Our Kindergarten and First Grade students started the 2021-2022 year by exploring a local nursing home here in Bardstown, Kentucky. After visiting the nursing home, the students saw the need for the residents to make connections with their friends and family in a time when in-person connections were not safe. Students brainstormed how they could make an impact on the residents and, with the help of their teachers, learned that the answer lies right in our community.

Students began digging deep into the words influential, contribution, collaboration, and impact and their importance of their meaning to their project. Students explored various ways to tell stories, share stories, and the importance of asking and answering questions, and in doing so, developed crucial foundational skills for young learners.

Our students met and interviewed five local community members who have made a huge impact on our community: Nika Mathis at Mago Construction, Rebekah Ison at Doodles by Rebekah, Matt Boone at Boone's Butcher Shop, Sgt. James Richard Pfost, and Clara Fulkerson at Wickland. Students knew right away that these important members of our community have all impacted us and contributed to the community around us. Students wanted to share their stories!