Since Edgar Allan Poe leads the 8th grade's October E.L.A. curriculum for an immersive study of the horror genre, biography text structure, unreliable narrators, and tone, the 8th grade class collected cat food for a Poe-inspired pet food drive that embraced the spooky spirit of
Poe's literary pet: a black cat!
Through the Henry Waldinger Library's "Great Give Back Event," the 8th grade's donations went to the Valley Stream-based organization, "Paw It Forward Pet Pantry." Therefore, the cat food collection was a local community outreach project!
Thank you Mosiah, Zachary, Mianna, Jalil, and Ms. Brown for your generous donations!
As an added Poe challenge, students were challenged to find and donate cat food and treats with black cats on the packaging. Due to the superstitions surrounding the infamous creature, the 8th grade class discussed why black cats were a rare marking spokesman for cat food brands. Fluffy white cats, striped grey cats, and orange felines dominate the pet food business! However, one student - Jalil - rose to Poe's challenge and found
Sheeba, a wet cat food brand that features a sleek and elegant black cat! Awesome work, Jalil! Poe would be proud!
See below for the offical flyer from the 8th grade's "Black Cat Food Drive":