Smilestones

STUDENT ART PROJECT SUPPORTS BUSINESSES

The Avalon Stone Harbor Schools recently launched a “7 Mile Shells of Strength” campaign to support the local business community amid COVID-19. Librarian Kelly McCorristin reached out to parents and the Parent Teacher Connection with a template for a seashell, asking students to color them and drop them off. The colored shells will be distributed for Seven Mile Beach businesses to display in their windows as a sign of hope, strength and community spirit.

“During a staff meeting, the teachers and administration were discussing how extended closures are not only impacting the school but our school families and the community,” McCorristin said. “Many of our school families work locally and own businesses and we wanted to show support to our seasonal businesses from the students.”

The campaign was inspired by a poem titled “Hope” that seventh-grader Fiona Gale wrote. In the poem she says, “Take hope and spread it. Make hope the real virus, let it spread.”

If you see a shell in a store window, take a photo of it and post on social media with the tag #7mileshellsofstrength!