10/25/07

Shady Spring students hold their artwork, which will be displayed in hospital’s new pediatric wing.

This school year, Franklin Square Hospital Center began a partnership with Shady Spring Elementary School that has proven to be full of great promise. 

In August, the hospital donated nearly 600 student backpacks filled with school supplies. Nurses and other hospital staff, who personally paid for the donated items, presented the backpacks to students on Back-to-School night. This event helped draw a record number of participants – 467 adults. 

When discussing the impact this donation made, Principal Marilyn Audlin said, “This event set a positive tone for the entire school year. Our year began very smoothly with fewer parent and student questions and concerns. We were better able to begin the business of educating our students, and students were better prepared to learn.”

In preparation for the October 10 groundbreaking of its new pediatric wing, Franklin Square Hospital invited Shady Spring students to submit artwork to be displayed permanently in the hospital. Art teacher Rhonda Sonneborn encouraged students’ creativity as they composed drawings based on the theme, “Hospital of the Future.”   

Of 18 submissions, artwork by six students – Nonglux P., Ratana P., Alice G., Christoper U., Courtney C., and Sean T. – was selected to be displayed in the pediatric wing. 

“As I looked at their artwork,” said Principal Audlin, “I found it interesting to note that the drawings really weren’t of ‘Star Wars’ far-fetched architectural design. Instead I think we see examples of the children’s perception of the kindness, support, and caring that are important for any successful hospital of the future – the kind of kindness, support, and caring that has been shown to our students from the Franklin Square Hospital of today.” 

Shady Spring students, holding their golden shovels, participated in the official groundbreaking of the hospital’s new pediatric wing.

Nonglux, one of the student artists, commented on the thoughts which inspired her picture.  “My picture was to show that people can depend on the doctors and nurses at Franklin Square Hospital. The doctors love and care for their patients.”

At the groundbreaking for the new pediatric wing, the six selected student artists were handed golden shovels with which to move the first scoops of earth. 

“Breaking ground made me look forward to the future,” said Courtney. “One day when I am an old lady, I can visit the hospital and tell my grandchildren I was there with a golden shovel.”
                                          
Sean also expressed the honor he felt at being selected to participate in the event. “When I was holding the golden shovel, it felt like I was in charge of Franklin Square Hospital and that I was being noticed, that I could give something.  It made me feel I could do anything.”
                

Principal Audlin was invited to speak amidst prominent local politicians. During her speech, she stated, “Franklin Square Hospital’s leaders understand the connection between a promise and a call to action. They believe in the potential of every human being, just as we do at Shady Spring, and they are willing to turn words into actions.”

 

Story by Dawn E. Hoffmaster, assistant principal, Shady Spring Elementary. Photos courtesy of Shady Spring Elementary School.

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