Dodd Middle School donated over 50 coloring books and crayons to Smilow Children’s Hospital for Valentine’s Day. This was coordinated by R2 Graphics owner, Rob Merritt, Drawing and 3D art teacher Marsha Berkun, 7th grade Language Arts teacher Maria Mullaly, Library Media Specialist Kristen Shanley, and the Dodd PTO.
The 7th grade drawing students in Mrs. Berkun’s class created illustrations based on the artist of study — Johanna Basford. Mrs. Mullally’s Language Arts students created poems in response to the illustrations. The cover of the book was illustrated by 8th-grade student Emmanuel DeAbreau. The back cover of the book was created by 8th-grade student Avery Miramant. The poems and illustrations were published by R2 Graphics to facilitate the donation to the Yale Children’s Hospital.
The Dodd PTO provided a mini-grant for crayons to pair with the coloring books. The 3D Art students created tissue flowers to decorate the bags for the coloring books and crayons.
This project was done to highlight the importance of working together as a community for a common good.