Elementary Students Give Back Through Soup-er Bowl Drive

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Although second-grade teacher Cheryl Wisch won’t be watching the Super Bowl, she has some other traditions that make this time of year special to her. For about 20 years, she has led a Super Bowl-themed canned food drive at her campus.

During the Soup-er Bowl Soup Drive, teachers and students of J.L. Boren Elementary School collect cans to give to those in need. The drive is part of a service project for Bears Care, the school’s student council.

“I knew that food pantries after Christmas start running low because they’re depleted during Christmas,” said Wisch. “I’m trying to connect what’s happening in the world with ways to help others, so I came up with soup and Super Bowl because I know most of the kids do watch the Super Bowl.”

The Soup-er Bowl Soup Drive occurs annually the week before and after the Super Bowl. Boren Elementary usually donates about 15 boxes of canned goods to the Mansfield Mission Center.

Students also wear their favorite jersey to keep with the theme. 

“When we receive donations to our Mission Market, it gives families in our community another way to put food on the table if they're having financial difficulties,” said Carmin MacMillian, executive director of Mansfield Mission Center. “It's a way to show them love and let them know their community cares about them. We couldn't do what we do without the generosity of MISD.”

Wisch said she enjoys doing the canned food drive because the students get to experience giving to others with no reward.

“We try very hard to teach our kids service for others, and I think the parents appreciate we are trying to teach our students that,” she said.

Students who participated said they feel they are making a difference by bringing the cans.

“I think it’s important to help others because some people don’t have food, and then they can have food to stay alive and be healthy,” said Landry Slinkard, second-grader at Boren Elementary.

Their team may not win the big game on Sunday, but Soup-er Bowl Soup Drive organizers said the drive is still a touchdown for the community. The Mansfield Mission Center is open to donations from anyone. Its hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cancer Survivor Rallies Behind Diagnosed Staff Member

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At the age of 28, Tracy Johnson received a call that changed the way she views life.

The doctor called her at the school in which she taught to tell her that she had colon cancer. Her principal at the time was Donna Shepard, a Mansfield ISD school namesake who was also battling cancer.

“She grabbed me and hugged me and said, ‘I am here. I will be with you. You’re strong. You will be fine,’” recalled Johnson, who is now principal of J.L. Boren Elementary School. “To this day, that has meant so much to me.”

Johnson said that since she has been principal of Boren Elementary, a few of her staff members have been diagnosed with cancer. She said she feels it is her calling to rally behind them and encourage them along the way.

“I think there was a great plan for me to be here, and I’m able to share my experience to help others,” she continued.

Carney received gifts from her music students
after news of her diagnosis.

Recently, the school’s music teacher, Katie Carney, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The principal said it has been amazing to see how the staff members and community have come together to support her.

Being able to show an outpouring of love to those battling cancer is one of the reasons why Mansfield ISD’s Colors for Caring initiative is near and dear to Johnson's heart. The initiative encourages the community to wear cancer awareness colors on the first Monday of each school month.

“People always want to be helpful in a way, and they don’t know how,” Johnson said. “This is one easy way we can stand for others and be strong. It’s nice to know that we’re all a community working together to stand for each other.”

The Colors for Caring initiative began in 2015 after Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas was diagnosed with thymoma cancer. He was grateful for the support he received and wanted to continue to spread the love to others.

The last Colors for Caring Day of the 2017-18 school year is on May 7. Johnson said her campus will be wearing a shirt with a pink cancer ribbon made of music notes for Carney.