Eighth grade students participated in a classroom assignment involving Microsoft Word to write letters of appreciation to President Sebastian Pinera for his support during the rescue of the miners at the San Jose Mine in Chile. The students were tasked to write formal letters as they became more aware of the Chilean mine disaster, and rescue. Their letters were sent to President Pinera in Chile [Note: images downloaded from the Internet strictly for educational purposes.].

The 2010 Copiapo mining accident occurred on 5 August 2010, when part of the San Jose copper-gold mine near Copiapo, Chile collapsed, leaving 33 men trapped deep below ground. The miners survived underground for a record 68 to 69 days. All 33 were rescued and brought to the surface on October 13, 2010.

Click on the images below to read the students' letters in PDF format: