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As the Trojans, Central’s colors are blue and white, but during these past two weeks there have been swarms of pink making its way through the halls at both the primary and intermediate schools.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Central Student Council decided to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
Teachers were allowed to dress down and wear pink, so long as donated money for every day they were supporting the cause.
“Among the staff it’s been great. ... It really brings people together,” said Central Primary School Principal Molly Kasbob.
In addition to having teachers and students wear pink, student council members sold stickers and bracelets.
“I think it’s awesome (to be a part of this) because it’s giving back, and for something that is a worthy cause that we can all support and raise money for easily,” said student council member Addison Baele, 13.
According to student council sponsor and eighth-grade teacher Cathy Coleman, council members try to find a worthy cause every year, but this one hits home more than most with two teachers on staff who have breast cancer.
“We’ve done a lot specifically for those teachers in general, so this is an overall fundraiser to bring awareness to the cause,” Coleman said. “The student council thought this would be the perfect opportunity to support this, especially because it’s hitting us directly with two of our teachers suffering through this.”
Kindergarten teacher Kim Prina, 36, is one of the teachers who has dealt with the struggles of breast cancer.
In her first year teaching at CPS, she was diagnosed just a few months before the school year started.
“I was in shock up until the day I had the surgery (July 11) and that’s when it hit me pretty much,” Prina said.
She said being able to do what she loves day-in and-day out by teaching, and the support from the teachers, staff and students at the school has helped her keep her head up.
“It’s been difficult, but I’ve had so much support that I just have a positive outlook on the whole situation ... I just have been keeping so busy and this is what I love doing, so it has helped having adults to talk to here at school every day and being around the kids — that’s the love of my life,” she said.
As the Trojans, Central’s colors are blue and white, but during these past two weeks there have been swarms of pink making its way through the halls at both the primary and intermediate schools.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Central Student Council decided to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.
Teachers were allowed to dress down and wear pink, so long as donated money for every day they were supporting the cause.
“Among the staff it’s been great. ... It really brings people together,” said Central Primary School Principal Molly Kasbob.
In addition to having teachers and students wear pink, student council members sold stickers and bracelets.
“I think it’s awesome (to be a part of this) because it’s giving back, and for something that is a worthy cause that we can all support and raise money for easily,” said student council member Addison Baele, 13.
According to student council sponsor and eighth-grade teacher Cathy Coleman, council members try to find a worthy cause every year, but this one hits home more than most with two teachers on staff who have breast cancer.
“We’ve done a lot specifically for those teachers in general, so this is an overall fundraiser to bring awareness to the cause,” Coleman said. “The student council thought this would be the perfect opportunity to support this, especially because it’s hitting us directly with two of our teachers suffering through this.”
Kindergarten teacher Kim Prina, 36, is one of the teachers who has dealt with the struggles of breast cancer.
In her first year teaching at CPS, she was diagnosed just a few months before the school year started.
“I was in shock up until the day I had the surgery (July 11) and that’s when it hit me pretty much,” Prina said.
She said being able to do what she loves day-in and-day out by teaching, and the support from the teachers, staff and students at the school has helped her keep her head up.
“It’s been difficult, but I’ve had so much support that I just have a positive outlook on the whole situation ... I just have been keeping so busy and this is what I love doing, so it has helped having adults to talk to here at school every day and being around the kids — that’s the love of my life,” she said.
Despite having one more surgery to go, Prina said she’s blessed, not only for the support of others, but also for the cancer being detected so early.
“... It just seems like everything has just been falling into place and I feel very fortunate that I didn’t have it as bad or difficult as some women have,” she said.
When she heard what the student council had planned for both of the schools for the mid-weeks of October, she said she was “overwhelmed.”
“I had all kinds of different emotions, but I was very excited; I’m very thankful and grateful.”
Being a teacher is like being a part of one big family and Kasbob said that is why it was so “neat” to see how everyone rallied around the two teachers.
“They all feel very strongly about (Prina),” Kasbob said. “She’s new to our staff, she’s both a parent and a teacher of ours.
“Even our male teacher has gotten into it and that’s been neat to see.
“To see little boys come into school with pink shoelaces like Joe has been great.”
Kindergarten teacher Shawna Kastl, who is in her fourth year at CPS, said being there for other teachers is a part of the job description.
“It’s kind of affected all of us,” Kastl said. “The teacher (at CIS) was my daughter’s teacher last year, so I know her and my daughter adores her, so it’s hitting home too for me.
“We’re always there for each other. We’re not just friends, we’re counselors; we listen. It is a family, bottom line. When you work this closely with each other you become a family and you want to take care of them.”
For fellow kindergarten teacher Jennifer Gilmore, it’s just as much about standing with those in the Washington community who have battled breast cancer as well.
“Two years ago I had a child whose mom had breast cancer,” Gilmore said. “Last year for the Race for the Cure, I found them and supported them in that ... I think that’s just part of human nature to do that.”
For the teachers who handle the delicate situation where students are trying deal with their loved ones battling breast cancer, Gilmore and Kastl, who both have family members who had breast cancer, said it is just like being there for fellow teachers — their job is to then be a shoulder to lean on.
“I think you just listen and you’re there for them — hugs,” Kastl said when asked what teachers do in those instances. “It’s just supporting the family and the child, so the parents know when they come to you that you’re something consistent in their life and they know you’re going to be there for them as well.”
Gilmore said it’s about bringing some kind of stability to that child’s life.
“I think the kids can have a normal life while they’re at school,” Gilmore said. “For that time, they can be a normal child and have fun and then they go home and things are a little crazy, but here it’s their normal routine and they’re able to be a kid.”
