Middle School Fall Service Day Highlights

Overlake’s Middle School Fall Service Day brings back many familiar projects, but this year also had several opportunities that were not only new, but also educated students on how to become young change makers.

Service Learning Director Beth Highland partnered with agencies across the region. “All these projects have been identified by the community as needs within our community,” says Highland. Each grade tackled various needs with a mission.

Fifth graders stayed on campus Caring for Public Spaces. Our youngest students were introduced to Overlake’s outdoor spaces and worked on gardens, including the creation of a new garden called the Legacy Garden outside the Campus Center. The students also created public service announcements.

Sixth graders spent the day Exploring Ecosystems and Habitats. Fanning out in local parks, students restored green spaces, went on birding walk, and along salmon creeks.

Seventh graders helped people in need within our community. Their Discovering Poverty and Hunger service projects included working in a food bank, collecting food donations, and planting organic and sustainable food. Advisor Mike Hufstader took his students to Trader Joe’s for a food drive and donation collection. “I’m amazed at these kids,” said Hufstader. “The confidence and poise these kids show in asking for donations is awesome. Every kid is doing their part.”

Eighth graders Engaged with Community in projects that blended all the other grade level projects in a variety of tasks that helped people and places. Whether it was planning disaster relief or playing bingo with senior citizens, 8th graders put their prior service day lessons into meaningful work with immediate results. For Highland, the idea is to grow students into roles in Upper School clubs and projects that promote service. “Students learn about how they can get involved, take a leadership role, and investigate where their work is needed most and will have a lasting impact,” says Highland.

Click here for a slide show of our MS Fall Service Day.