Goodrich students connect with community members

Goodrich Middle School sixth graders learned about the value of community through a special project with North Gate Garden Estates. Students took part in the inaugural Community Give Back Day in December under the direction of sixth grade team leaders Jessica Klingelhoefer and Paige Nelson. Klingelhoefer and Nelson came up with the idea as a way to promote Goodrich’s TICK (Thoughtful, Invested, Cooperate and Kind) expectations.

Sixth graders cut out paper snowflakes to hang in their school hallway, made digital wallpaper art for teachers, created buttons for family members and wrote letters to North Gate Garden Estates residents. Goodrich Sixth Grade Administrator Amanda Krivda said everyone enjoyed the projects.

“Teachers on both sixth grade teams organized supplies, activities and instructional connections to provide students an experience of giving back to the Goodrich community – building and beyond – during the holiday season,” Krivda said.

Many Dragons beamed when they received thank you notes and letters from residents during the third quarter. Not only did writing letters brighten the days of everyone at North Gate, but it taught Goodrich students about the benefits of building community bonds in Lincoln.

Krivda said Goodrich will continue the Community Give Back Day tradition for sixth graders on the last day of the first semester in future school years.

Three Goodrich Middle School students read thank you notes they received from North Gate Garden Estates residents.
A Goodrich Middle School student reads a letter he received from a North Gate Garden Estates resident.
A Goodrich Middle School sixth grader smiles as he reads a thank you note from a North Gate Garden Estates resident.
A group of sixth graders at Goodrich Middle School look at thank you notes they received from North Gate Garden Estates residents.
Goodrich Middle School sixth graders smile while holding thank you notes from North Gate Garden Estates residents.

Updated April 7, 2025