Blue Lakes Day exemplifies “Men for Others” motto
Exemplifying the school motto, “Men for Others,” over 300 students hosted a “fun day” October 28 for 130 children ages 3-12 with autism and other disabilities.
“Our students start the day very apprehensive but then find that the kids are a lot of fun,” said Olga Ramon, mathematics chairperson and event coordinator. “They learn techniques to better interact with the kids and they learn a little compassion, patience and understanding for these kids.”
The activities got underway when the students from Blue Lakes Elementary School arrived at the Belen gymnasium.
Among the activities the children participated in were finger-painting, basketball, and hula-hoops.
“Their ability to make friends and socialize with other children can be very difficult sometimes and make it hard for them to have a good social life,” said senior Carlos De La Nuez. “This experience taught me that although some may have those difficulties we all enjoy doing the same kid activities like playing with water balloons, bubble wrap, tricycles and everything else of the sort.”
“This day is special for a number of reasons. For one, this event is held on a day when the school is closed so all the students participating from Belen are doing this as volunteers,” said Ramon. “Secondly, this event gives our students the opportunity to give back and to have fun all while bringing a smile to child with a disability.”
"This field trip has become an annual tradition and our students look forward to it," said Aida Marrero, Blue Lakes K-8 Principal. "The opportunity to interact and have a day of fun with the Belen students always brings a smile to our children's faces and it helps develop their social and communication skills. Most of the students don't get the opportunity to enjoy field trips and this is one they don't forget."
Click here to view pictures from the event.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba, by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the school's property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit is situated on a 34-acre site in western Dade County, just minutes away from downtown Miami.