Middle School Service Learning Day

 

Traditionally on the first Tuesday in December, our entire middle school (students, advisors, and parent volunteers) spread out around Bay Area to volunteer at local non-profit organizations - food banks, shelters, schools, senior centers, etc. While we couldn’t go into our community this year, we still wanted the first Tuesday in December to have a service focus for our middle school students so Father Cameron Ayers and Middle School Service Learning Coordinator Monica Chandra helped bring the non-profits to campus. 

Yesterday afternoon our grades 6-8 students took part in three sessions of service-related learning or activity.  Our sixth and seventh graders learned about the work that West Valley Community Services and Sacred Heart Community Services each do to help individuals and families in need in our community. They were able to ask questions and learn how they can become involved with these organizations. The eighth graders began the afternoon by taking part in a poverty simulation challenging them to live on $1,000 for a month. They had to figure out how to get shelter, food, and other necessities with $33/day. The second session for our 8th graders was with The Rev. Peggy Bryan who shared about the work she does with Santa Clara County’s prison population. Students then spent time writing holiday cards out to be given to a local senior center, first responders, and health care workers in a local hospital. 

At the end of the day, students were asked to reflect on the experience. To share what they learned and to share what they might do going forward to make a difference in our community.

“I was unaware about the extent of church and religious services at prisons, and I was a bit inspired by what people like Reverend Peggy Bryan do for inmates and the community.” Noah

“I learned that a lot of people need help, and these foundations are not only there for them, but they also relieve some stress that they might have by showing them that they care.” Mia

“I learned that many people are stuck in a circle of leaving jail and having to go back to jail because they aren’t able to get a job or get essential needs so they resort to crime.” Karson

“I learned that people are really suffering during this pandemic and I didn’t know that so many people were losing their homes.” Kylie

“I still have one of the Blessed Bags from our fourth grade project, so I may look to give it out to somebody.” Ryan 

“I could volunteer somewhere that supplies food and clothes to homeless people.” Jamie

“I can donate my cat-sitting money to a homeless shelter, give masks to people who cannot afford any, or are not wearing one, make kits for people in need, and give compliments to people I pass by.” Kaitlyn

When asked what they might change about our more low-key day, students shared that they would have liked to have more speakers, more time with our speakers, and the opportunity to do more hands-on activities - although they noted that they understood why we could not this year.

We’re grateful to Josh Selo, Executive Director, West Valley Community Services, Demone Carter, Director of Community Engagement, Sacred Heart Community Services, Reverend Peggy Bryan and Bruce Friesen of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and Monica Chandra, Middle School Service Learning Coordinator for being part of our first virtual service learning day.

“It (Service) is very important because it helps other people live better lives, and can help you empathize with other people as well.” Sam

“We should always lend a helping hand to people less fortunate than us because we don't know what situation they're in and doing service will only have a positive impact.” Reece