Shields CAP class relates ‘Refugee’ novel to real life

Students in Meghan Catts’s fourth- and fifth-grade Cape Accelerated Program class at Shields Elementary have been reading “Refugee” by Alan Gratz, the renowned author of “Ground Zero.”

“Refugee” is a story following three children who were forced to flee their homes in Germany, Cuba and Syria. The book chronicles their journeys to safety in different parts of the world, and across different decades of time.

Annie Caswell, a parent of one of Catts’s fifth-grade students, has had firsthand experience working in a refugee camp.

“Ms. Caswell has been reading the book along with her son Ben,” said Catts. “She offered to speak to our class and prepared an amazing virtual presentation for our students. She took the time to share her incredible story about working in a refugee camp in the late 1990s in Albania, and also shared how she taught English to children and adult refugees from Kosovo. The students were all very intrigued by her presentation!”

After sharing about her experiences, Caswell gave students in the class trivia questions about the novel they are reading. She even prepared special prizes for the trivia winners that related to refugees.

“The prizes students were able to win included chocolate created by a company that is owned by Syrian refugees, called Peace by Chocolate,” said Catts. “This company also uses their profits to help other refugees in need.”

Other prizes included various types of Albanian money that Caswell collected during her time working in the refugee camp.

In addition to the student prizes, Caswell shared a small token for Catts as well. “Having Ms. Caswell present to the students was very special, but she kindly sent in a small present for me as well, which was a bracelet made by Epimonia,” Catts said. “My bracelet is made from life jackets that refugees have worn. The life jackets are then turned into bracelets and sold, with the profits going back to refugees.”

She added, “This presentation from Ms. Caswell has helped encourage and motivate my students to get more involved and to learn more about human rights, and raising awareness about others’ experiences from around the world.”

At the end of the presentation, students were given small stickers that say “Refugees Welcome” for their water bottles. They were also given extra stickers to share with friends and family to help raise awareness throughout the community.