Matt Shares his Service Day Experience

Dear Overlake Community,

This week Middle Schoolers participated in the annual Middle School Service Day. A day devoted to getting out of the classroom and doing some good hands-on service work.

Students got busy with a variety of projects including sorting clothes, helping out at a food bank, eradicating blackberries, and spending time with senior citizens.

Jacqui Jackson, our director of service and community engagement, wanted to ensure that students spent the day doing work that was meaningful to them and at times stretched their learning. She organized the day by grouping each grade into a particular theme thereby creating a cohesive experience. Later in the week students had an opportunity to debrief. Some students reflected on the work involved with comments such as “it was hard work” or “my hands got tired” while many others recognized how their efforts made a significant difference to the group of people they were serving.    

What stood out to me as I worked with a group of sixth graders on eradicating blackberry bushes (I got some not-so-fun scratches on my arms!), was how focused the students were on their work, how genuinely happy they were being outside and doing some pretty physically demanding work, and how much pride they took in the work they were doing. I also worked with several colleagues who put on their work gloves and fully participated with the students. In fact, some of the service sites students went to were places our faculty have volunteered at in the past. Finally, I left knowing that our community comes to school bringing their best selves every day and that on this special day, devoted to furthering our culture of service, they embraced the opportunity and really extended themselves. Who would not want to be part of such a place!

As we slide into October, I hope the spirit and goodwill created on this day can help us throughout the coming school year.

Warmly,

Matt