Middle School Students Serve
One of the ways Westchester Country Day School develops moral character within students is through the Middle School service learning program.
Once each quarter, Middle School students participate in projects supporting local agencies that have an impact on the community. Students get to learn more about each agency and the skills needed for each service assignment before making a selection of which project to join. The options include projects both on and off campus.
This year, the WCDS Middle School is supporting the following projects:
Heroes Center of High Point assists veterans and builds collaborative relationships with other nonprofits and organizations that serve veterans. WCDS students wrote postcards to veterans supported by the center.
Northwood Elementary is a public International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. Some WCDS students packaged seasonal treats for children at Northwood while others traveled to Northwood to volunteer in their classrooms.
Horsepower promotes and enhances the welfare of individuals with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional disabilities through a program of therapeutic, educational and recreational activities using horses. Opportunities to serve at Horsepower include cleaning out stalls or maintaining horses.
Junior League of High Point is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Students have the opportunity to support one of the Junior Leagues service projects or help out in their office.
Open Door Ministries serves, empowers and ministers to clients in order to prevent and end hunger and homelessness through advocacy, education, housing, and coordination of services. Students weaved recycled grocery bags into sleeping mats.
First service learning day is under way! #WCDSMiddleSchool pic.twitter.com/LHV9uKMljE
— Middle School | Westchester Country Day School (@WCDS_Middle) October 14, 2022
Westchester Manor and Westchester Harbour provide assisted living and rehabilitation for seniors. Students painted seasonal cards and made blankets for the residents.
Service Learning Wildcats are making blankets and painting cards for Providence Place residents. #WCDSMiddleSchool pic.twitter.com/1ji7PQXXcU
— Middle School | Westchester Country Day School (@WCDS_Middle) October 14, 2022
Care packages are prepared for recent WCDS alumni who are in college. After video conferencing with recent a couple of recent graduates, students filled Halloween care packages to be sent to the members of the class of 2022.
First service learning day is under way! #WCDSMiddleSchool pic.twitter.com/RjaaF9bD9N
— Middle School | Westchester Country Day School (@WCDS_Middle) October 14, 2022
Throughout the projects, students get the chance to serve others alongside their friends and teachers. After completing the projects, each student writes a reflection on the experience. Middle School students are excited to develop their skills in communication and compassion while stepping a bit outside their comfort zone to try something new.
