MANVILLE: Gum wrappers dramatize school project on intolerance

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
   Eighth-graders at Alexander Batcho Intermediate School are studying intolerance and prejudice by reading books, creating websites, interviewing Holocaust survivors — and making a long gum-wrapper chain to emphasize the number of people killed by Nazism during the World War II era.
   The students are reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” and have “The Diary of Anne Frank” on their reading list to understand the spread of prejudice.
   Students also are studying civil rights movements, colonization of America and facets pertaining to Black History Month.
   Because of these issues, “the students have become dedicated to breaking down the walls of prejudice and intolerance through educating others and setting up memorials in honor of those who were victims of prejudice,” said teacher Maggie Balzano.
   Ms. Balzano said one way the students are educating others is through the use of media. They are conducting research and publishing findings by creating websites for the public to view. In addition, they will speak with and interview survivors while evaluating the propaganda that initiated the type of intolerance.
   With the help and guidance of Michael Magliacano, principal of Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, the students are preparing for April, which is Holocaust Remembrance Month.
   During the remembrance, the students will honor the victims of the Holocaust by displaying a gum wrapper chain they have created, walking the victim walk and inviting a member of the Holocaust Society to come to the school.
   Student Klaudia Bunkowski said the project includes the entire eighth grade. So far, they have collected about 1,000 gum wrappers.
   ”Hopefully, with community involved, our goal is 6,000, which means one wrapper is equal to 1,000 victims (of the six million Jews exterminated by the Nazis),” Klaudia said. “It is extremely special because it brings awareness to others of how prejudice affects all groups of people. And, by setting up a memorial, it will constantly remind others to be patient and understanding.”
   Ms. Balzano said the students are seeking help from the community in collecting gum wrappers. The students are canvassing the community and schools, spreading the word and setting up areas for the gum wrapper collection, she said.
   To help the eighth-graders achieve their goal, send gum wrappers to Holocaust Remembrance Gum Chain, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, 100 N. 13th Ave., Manville, 08835.