Earhart Elementary in Action: Cranes for Japan

Last Friday, at  in Alameda, students were concentrating fiercely as they worked to fold paper cranes.

The students plan to ask for donations in exchange for the cranes they make, and they'll give the money they collect to the American Red Cross for earthquake relief in Japan. 

The aim of the project is to share 1,000 0rigami cranes by April 21.

“The project is about good will,” said Joy Dean, Earhart's principal. “We asked, “How can we promote good will to our neighbors in the Pacific?’”

All next week, students can place cash and checks in decorated Kleenex boxes, in their classrooms.

“Even if each donation is as little as $1, that still brings in $1,000,” said Dean.

According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds a thousand cranes will have a wish granted.

“Our wish is that families in Japan can rebuild their country,” said Dean.

The project was organized by Dean, third grade teacher Kathy Salcines, and Julia Hanson, a fourth grade student.

“[Salcines] had talked about doing something, then Julia came to me,” said Dean. “We put the ideas together.”

Hanson said she felt for the Japanese people, and she wanted her school to help in some way.

“It feels good to think we could be helping someone in Japan because they have lost so much and we have so much to give,” Hanson said.

This isn’t the first time Earhart has sprung into action following a natural disaster. In 2005, the school launched a fundraising drive after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. But Dean said the crane project is the first of its kind at the school. 

“This is much more symbolic,” she said.

Dean said the students have taken to the project, and many are folding cranes during recess and at home.

Helene Onaga, a mother of three, said the project is teaching students the value of teamwork.

“They see when they work together, they can do something really big and really good,” said Onaga.

The disaster hit close to home for Onaga and her family — her husband is Japanese, and they have relatives in Japan. She said this connection makes the project all the more poignant for them.

Her children, who are in the fifth, third and second grades, have taken to the project. All three have worked diligently together at home, with the older two teaching their younger sibling how to properly fold the cranes, she said.

On a recent Friday morning, a second grade class at Earhart was being taught how to fold the cranes.

Each student was given a pink, purple, green, blue or red piece of paper. They listened intently as Michi Shimada, the mother of one of the students, gave them step-by-step instructions.

The responses of the kids felt a bit like Goldilocks as she works her way through the bear’s house.

“It’s hard!” said one boy.

“It’s medium hard,” said another boy.

“It’s easy!” said one girl, who finished her crane long before the other students at her table.

After practicing with his older siblings at home, Eddie Onaga, Helene’s son, was able to help other students. 

“My sister showed me how to do it,” said Eddie, as yet another classmate handed over his crane for Eddie to shape.

Most students said they planned on giving their cranes to family members.

“I’m going to New York this weekend, so I’ll probably give it to one of my relatives there,” said one girl.

Hanson said her friends are excited about the project.

“The project is going well,” he said. “My classmates are having fun folding the cranes and they can't wait to start bringing in donations.”

“I think we’re going to be really successful,” said Salcines.

The project has sparked enthusiasm for similar creativity down the road, mixed with hope that the circumstances will be better.

“I would love to do more projects like this in the future, I just hope that the next project is not for such a huge disaster,” said Hanson.  “So many people and kids’ lives have been ruined.”

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