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Robin Xavonglianekham September 7th 2012

Clothes Closet 8:30am-12:30pm

Summary and Reflection

When looking at the list of volunteer work to choose from, I wanted to try something new and something that I’ve had never volunteered for. There was a place called “Clothes Closet” that needed volunteers to help assist with sorting, washing, folding, and hanging the clothes so I decided what better way than to dedicate my time to help families that are less fortunate. There were 2 portables that are located directly behind a school. One of the portables was for Mrs. Joyce’s office where walk-ins would have to go check in at as well as to drop off any donated items. The other portable was where the clothing was stored at and parents can go into to pick out certain items that they needed. It is divided into two sections. The right side was the girls’ section and on the left side was the boy’s section. I started my day organizing the clothing by sizes and age groups that vary from pre-kindergarten through high school students. I sorted out the clothes into different categories such as “jackets, dresses, jeans, shows, underwear, and socks.” After I sorted the clothes, I hung up the clothes at their designated spots and picked up any clothing that fell on the floor to hang back up. I folded the jeans and arranged it depending on the size, color, dress up, or casual wear. I also helped parents find clothing items based on their child’s age and gender. The parents are given a list of what they could get that consists of 1 jacket, 1 pair of shoes, 5 underwear, 4 pairs of socks, and a total of 5 clothing items per child. I made sure to pick up any trash or paper that I noticed on the floor and threw it in the garbage can as well as any broken hangers. Afterword, I helped Mrs. Joyce make labels to hang on the wall so that it would be easier for parents to locate the clothing based on the age group. Bottled waters were complimentary since it was really hot that day which I offered to parents as they walked into the portable.

I learned some important life lessons while doing this community work. Simple necessities such as clothes needed for everyday living is what many people take for granted. I must admit that I’m guilty myself for buying the latest name brand items that is ridiculously priced. After volunteering, it made me value the little things in life and to take into consideration that there are people out there who are struggling to get by and are in desperate need of our help. I’ve met some great adults while volunteering for clothes closet but one of them stuck out to me the most. She was a single mother of 3 children, who like many, was barely making it by with her job as a waitress. Although she was going through some rough times, she still managed to have a smile on her face and was delighted to be given this opportunity to provide her children clothing. She said to me that “As long as my kids have food and clothes on their back, that’s all that matters to me.” This proved to me that she had unconditional love for her children, and was willing to do anything for them. I really admired that about her and felt that she was one of the strongest women that I’ve met given the situation she was in. Clothes Closet is doing such a remarkable thing by helping families that are in need. It benefits the children as well as the community greatly. To be able to work as a team and do amazing things such as supplying donated items to less fortunate families is very inspiring to me and should be taken into consideration by providing my services of helping out with this great organization. A little can go a long way under these circumstances, it’s vital that the support should be given.


Clothes Closet 8:30am-12:30pm


For the second part of my volunteer work, Mrs. Joyce had me working mostly in the office, organizing the back room that was filled with supplies such as notebooks, papers, pencils, white outs, rulers, and colored pencils. I sorted them out by dividing the supplies into certain boxes that were labeled specifically for those items. When the parents would come in to get the supplies, I would put one supply each in a bag for them to take home for their child. I also organized the clothing that was given to them as donations. There were huge bags that were piled next to each other and I would open it up and sort out all the clothes that were in there. I made sure to check the items for stains or bleach spots since those items weren’t acceptable to donate as well as making sure that it was school dress code appropriate. I also made sure that the clothes looked new or gently worn and was machine washable. After I had gotten done organizing the clothes, I began to put them on shelves that were located inside the office. It would later be brought into the other portable where it would be put up using a cart to transport the clothes. I greeted each person that walked in so that they would feel welcomed and comfortable about being there. I also picked up phone calls and left messages for Mrs. Joyce while she was attending to one of the parents that wanted to know how the organization works. She explained to them that they would have to “talk to the school nurse or a teacher” and then they will determine the needs of the students. Everyone that came in was assigned a specific date and time to come so that way it wouldn’t be crowded, giving enough space to easily flow through the portable when looking for clothing items.

Mrs. Joyce provided a positive environment and was very gracious that I came to help out with their organization. It seemed that it would be pretty overwhelming, especially just having two people to manage the whole process at that location. Given this opportunity, I was able to take into account that simple items such as school supplies could also be difficult for struggling parents to get. It’s important that the community is aware that “Clothes Closet” not only except clothing but that they also take in school supplies. Mrs. Joyce addressed to me that they are in more need of supplies than clothing since many are unaware that those items could be donated as well. During my volunteering, one of the adults that came in was from India and had just moved here recently to provide a better life for his family. He was struggling to find a job because he knew very little English and needed some time to adjust to the American culture. He mentioned to me that he had 2 children and is trying his hardest to provide for his family with very little income coming in. It surprised me of how much he reminded me of my parents when they had first came here from Laos. He was willing to move across the world and leave something he was so accustomed to in order to have a better life for his family. I have much respect for this man along with others that have done the same. By checking items and making sure that the clothing didn’t have anything that was damaging with them, gave me a perspective view of the safety cautions that is taken into consideration at this organization. Making sure that there was enough space to easily maneuver through and that there weren’t any safety hazards that can cause potential falls such as trash, broken hangers, and clothes is crucial.


North Texas Food Bank 12:00pm-4:00pm


I have heard many great things about the “North Texas Food Bank” and how enjoyable it was to volunteer at this organization through my coworkers from work so I decided to experience it for myself. The building was set up like a big warehouse and what they do is provide healthier food to North Texans that are in need. They support the efforts of nutritional meals and are developing new ways to distribute food to more people that measures the positive impact of access to nutritious meals. People can donate can goods or boxed food that eventually gets shipped to this warehouse. My day started off with working in groups of 3. Jason was very welcoming and handed out gloves for us to wear so that our hands wouldn’t get cut from sharp edges that sometimes occur when handling the products. We then started to separate the food by using big boxes that were labeled in different food categories such as “ Canned Veg/Beans, Tomato Sauce, Meat Cans, Soups, Dairy Products, Can Fruits, and Oils.” Some items that people would donate which had nutritious values were corn, green beans, fruit salads, tomato sauce, pasta noodles, tuna, hamburger helper, and beans. We made sure to discard any damaged foods by checking for any dints and cracks that were on cans or boxes that were opened or impaired. After we had finished that, we made sure to fold down the empty boxes that the food items were delivered in and to pick up any trash that was on the floor to be thrown away. I noticed that there were signs that were hung up on the walls that warned people of potential hazards while working in the warehouse. The signs described the ways to properly handle the boxes when lifting them from the ground and that there should be no running to avoid slipping and falling. People that were volunteering were specially told to wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes before they came in to volunteer. They provided us with water and breaks in between our shifts.

After volunteering for this organization, I learned the importance of supplying those in needs with healthy and nutritious meals. There was a big banner that was hanging up that caught my attention. It said “Some people pray before they eat. Some people pray to eat.” I’ve been lucky enough in my life to not worry about going hungry, but there are people that are less fortunate so it’s important that the community takes that into consideration and do their part to assist with the families that are in need. This organization has safety in mind and made sure that everyone took precautious measures while working in the warehouse. Jason explained to me that during the summer, it usually gets really warm in the warehouse so they don’t allow anyone under the age of sixteen to volunteer during those hot summer days. I felt good about myself because I was able to dedicate my time in helping with this great organization. As a future teacher, I need to be aware and incorporate healthy living in my students’ lives by setting a good example of the way I live my life. Potential safety hazards should be displayed on the wall for students to visually see and reflect upon. There should be rules in every classroom that prevents hazards. For example, walk but no running, have belongings stored away for easy flow throughout the classroom, and to make sure that children wash their hands after using the restroom. Providing easy access to Kleenex, lotion, and sanitizer is also a great way in promoting the

importance of health as well as common necessities that are needed for children to prosper in healthy living.


North Texas Food Bank 12:00pm-4:00pm


For the second part of my volunteer work, my group that I was assigned to and I would grab empty boxes and fill them with one food item from each category. If we were to put a can of tomato sauce in the box, we needed to make sure to include the pasta noodles in there as well in order to supply the correct food items to properly prepare spaghetti. It was set up along long tables that were in rows of four. We would grab certain foods and go around, putting them in each box. Afterword, Jason went around and checked each box to make sure that the items were correctly stored and that it contained the nutritious values that every family needs for healthy living. We would then tape up the boxes and put it on a pulley so that the workers can store them on huge shelves to later on distribute all across North Texas. This organization is preparing to launch the “Snacks for Kids” program this spring and I was delighted to find out that I would also be able to help with the process. In this program, children are given healthy snacks such as cereal, milk, yogurt, gram crackers, trail mixes, fruit snacks, and many other healthy snacks that don’t consist of having to use the microwave. These “snack packs” are given to families specifically for their children to eat without the assistance of the adults. I was able to prepare the snack bags that would be used as examples during the organization’s meeting which would be held that following week. I made sure to place the proper snack items in each bag and also checked for any overlooked damaged food.

I gained some useful knowledge that I can carry with me into my future classroom. I learned to work as a team in order to effectively carry out the duties that needed to be complete. Also, to take into consideration that many students come from different backgrounds and are sometimes less fortunate than their peers. It’s important that I get to know each child individually and make sure that they have someone at home to nurture them through their formative years as well as getting the proper nutrition that is needed. Support from parents/caregivers is essential and when a student comes to school without any food in their stomach, it really affects their learning and mood. I need to take into account of the warning signs that is relevant when looking at the child such as dirty clothing, frequent absences, or withdrawn behavior. This should never be taken lightly and should be addressed to the principal. As teachers, it’s significant that we document each specific occurrence so that when in question, can look up our facts that had been written down prior to make it more efficient during the process. Also, making sure that families who prepare their children’s lunches to bring to school are providing adequate nutrition for healthy living. Teachers can send out notes of healthy food choices that a child needs for proper malnutrition that will educate parents and have them more aware of the beneficial gains or can even address the concern during the next meeting with the parent. When a child brings unhealthy foods such as chips, sodas, and candy for lunch, it can create bad life habits that would have a tremendous negative impact for the child in the future. A teacher’s role is to not only support children during their

learning process, but to make sure that their students are provided with proper care even when they are not on school grounds.

Robin Xavonglianekham October 12th 2012

Physical Education 7:30am-9:20am


During my observation at Spring Garden Elementary, I decided to observe the physical education gym. At that time, the 4th graders were preparing for their volleyball tournament that they’ve been practicing for a couple of weeks now. The students were sitting on the ground in rows while Ms. Hathaway went over the rules of the game to make sure that the students still understood how the game is played. The students were then divided into four teams with two volleyball nets per two competing teams. They were really excited to test out their serving skills and a lot of praise and encouragement was taken place between the students as well as with Ms. Hathaway. She would encourage the students by saying such things as “Good job Holden, you spiked that ball really well!” and “Amazing, that’s how you do it!” The children would shout things like “Come on, you can do it!” or “Aim the ball over here.” Both Ms. Hathaway and the children would clap every time someone would score and give each other high fives. The children would have to be reminded a couple times when to rotate and to switch sides but besides that, understood the game well and knew when the ball was out of bound. After the game, the children gave their opponents a hand shake and said “Good game.” I was also given the opportunity to observe kindergarten/pre-k children during their physical activity. They started off by doing warm ups in their “spot” and performing things such as jumping jacks, moving their head side to side, jumping side to side as well as forward and backward, and cross crawls. During the warm up Ms. Hathaway would say “Arms up to the sky, and touch your feet” while demonstrating the procedure to them. They then went outside and walked on balance beams, positioning their arms straight across while walking up and down the beam. Ms. Hathaway explained to me that children at this grade level are learning how to walk forward on balance beams while 1st and 2nd graders learn how to walk backwards on it. After each child had a turn on the beam, they began the racing activity. In groups of no more than six, the children would start at the fence, run down the field, touch the “white pole”, and come back to the fence.

Children are learning to work as a team amongst their peers in order to reach their goal as well as being competitive in a positive way. Ms. Hathaway created a safe environment by explaining and demonstrating the procedures step by step. She was also very attentive to the children and made sure that there weren’t any safety concerns that can create potential harm to the children. By giving praise and encouragement, children are able to develop independency and a boost in their self-esteem. Physical education helps benefit a child physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It promotes positive lifelong healthy attitudes and improves students’ knowledge of fitness concepts such as cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and flexibility. It also improves self-confidence, self-assurance, and self-control. It reduces stress by having an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety, and facilitates emotion stability and resilience. Children are able to establish and strive for achievable,

personal goals. I really enjoyed observing children who are on all different levels in their development of gross motor skills while keeping in mind of age appropriate physical activities.


Nurse 9:30am-11:30am


When walking into the nurses office, I noticed many necessities for health that were placed on the counter such as disinfecting wipes, cotton balls, Kleenex, lotion, and bandages as well as two green cots for children to rest on. There was a poster that was displayed on the wall describing certain diseases such as “pneumonia, swine-flue, mold, c-diff, and staph” along with a “My Choice Plate” poster. During my observation, Nurse Nancy was in the process of giving an eye and ear exam to first graders as well as checking the back of the neck for any potential signs of diabetes. When giving the ear exam, she told the children to “Raise your hand every time you hear the machine beep.” She explained to me that she has 120 days to check all pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th graders. It seemed very hectic in there since children were coming in and out constantly due to different situations. For instance, a girl student came in with a scrape on her finger from playing volleyball in P.E class. The nurse informs her to wash her hands with soap so that she could put a bandage on her finger and told the student to tell her parents to put Neosporin on the cut when she gets home since she wouldn’t be able to do that without a doctor’s note. Another student came in for an itchy scalp. Nurse Nancy checked the child’s scalp for any signs of lice but told her that it was due to dry scalp. One student had a spider bite on her leg, while another student came for gauze for a bleeding tooth. When it finally calmed down, the nurse addressed to me that besides the exams, she also checks teeth and takes weight. She pointed out to me that children today are gaining weight more rapidly than ever before, displaying a chart that she documented of a 5th grade student who already weighs 210 pounds. For six graders, she would check for scoliosis and make sure that they are developing normally as puberty starts to show during this age.

While observing, I learned the importance of school nurses and how much they promote a healthy school environment. School nurses are the first line of defense against epidemics and disease outbreaks, monitoring of the overall population and connecting with public health officials. They are the first responders to critical incidents on school property and provide direct health services for students. Nurses also identify threats to health in the school community such as peanut butter or lack of clean water or hand soap. They provide leadership for the provision of health services and provide a critical safety net for the most fragile students. Nurses also provide screening and referral for health conditions such as vision and hearing. They promote student health and learning and serve as a liaison between school personnel, family, community, and health care providers. Many parents aren’t aware that without a doctor’s note, they aren’t even able to give them simple things such as Tylenol. School nurses have a lot of responsibility and it’s usually just one nurse that is providing care for every student in each school. It’s important that teachers take into account of the overall look of a child and any health concerns that is noticeable and needs proper assistance from the school nurse. Obesity is a huge problem in America today and it starts at such a young age which is an example of why proper nutrition

should not be taken lightly. Creating a healthy and safe environment for children is crucial for effective learning to take place.


Cafeteria 10:00am-12:00pm


The cafeteria was set up with round white tables that had eight seats attached to it as well as spacious flow that makes it very easy for children to maneuver through. There were plenty of trashcans that was easily accessible to the children to discard their food after they had finished eating and teachers who were on “cafeteria duty” would closely monitor and helped any children that raised their hand and needed assistance with such things as opening up chip bags, straws wrappers, milk cartons, and apple sauce lids. I noticed that many children in the younger age group would bring their lunch to school with a very small amount who actually buys their lunch. Most children seemed to bring healthy snacks such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, yogurt, fruits, crackers, and juice while I a couple of their peers had Cheetos and M&M’s in their lunch boxes! The students would line up in a straight line and choose between chocolate fat free milk, 1%milk, and fat free milk. That day, the school cafeteria was serving turkey pepperoni pizza or parmesan pasta. Also, orange cranberry spinach salad, honey glazed carrots, bananas and sliced peaches. There was a variety of baked chips that children can choose from and I was surprised to see that the school even offered ice cream! When speaking with Mrs. Bolger who works in the cafeteria, she explained to me that the ice cream served at school has to be “low fat and less than 3 ounces.” There was an occurrence that happened while I was observing with a child running in the cafeteria. Mrs. Lopez, who was one of the teachers that was monitoring, shouted out “Walk, no running!” Another instance was when a child had dropped her jacket on the floor. Mrs. Lopez quickly came by and picked it up off the floor so that it wouldn’t cause a potential safety hazard when children walked by. After the children ate, there was one person in each table that was assign to wipe down the table with a damp cloth. There was sanitizer that was for children to use as well as designated racks to put their lunch boxes on when they were finished with it.

Given this opportunity to observe in the cafeteria, I noticed that the school offered many nutritious values that are needed for children during their growth and development. It also promotes life-long healthy eating habits which can benefit them tremendously in the future as adults. It is significant for teachers to closely monitor the children and check for any potential hazards such as a wet floor that can cause slipping, any objects that can cause falling, and foods that can cause risks of choking. Procedures and routines should be clear and set for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, such as how to sit, eat, and what to do with the trash. Although it can be difficult to manage in this environment of 100’s of students, having monitors who are responsible for determining rewards and consequences can greatly create a safe and well-established environment. By assigning a student on each table to help clean up after themselves and providing access to sanitizer, children are learning the importance of keeping a clean and germ-free environment. Teachers should set a good example in their

students’ lives and practice healthy eating as well. Parents should also be consciously aware of nutritious meals when packing up their children’s lunch boxes.

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