Service Learning Projects & Fundraisers
Hearts of Remembrance
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Pennies for PatientsStudents and staff members have been participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients program since 2012. Each year, students have the opportunity to attend either a kick-off assembly facilitated by the Student Series Program or watch a kick-off video created by our Lunch Bunch students. The students learn about the goal of the program and how the money they raise funds research and assist kids that are battling cancer.
Following the kick-off, individual and classroom donation boxes are distributed and students have two weeks to collect as much change as they can in support of the program. At the culmination of the program, classrooms reflect on whether they have met their class, grade level, and school-wide collection goal. The grade level in each building who raises the most money receives a reward activity and if the school achieves their donation goal, students and staff members are treated to a spirit day. As an added bonus, our students and staff members have also participated in "Stuck for a Buck" the past two years to raise additional funds to support the program. Students pay $1.00 to purchase pieces of duct tape that are used to stick teachers from each grade level to the wall during each lunch period. Since enrolling in the Pennies for Patients program, we have raised approximately $60,329 to support individuals and families that are battling cancer. Our students have also made banners, cards, and rainbow loom bracelets to encourage many of the "heroes" from our area to keep fighting. We are honored to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission to support those who are battling cancer.
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Hoops for SoupHoops for Soup is a night of fun and philanthropy planned by the Lunch Bunch. Students and teachers team up to collect food items and play a basketball game in support of two local organizations.
Our students have the opportunity to participate in Hoops for Soup through participation in a foul shooting competition as part of their basketball unit in their Physical Education classes. Students with the top foul shooting percentage at each grade level are then invited to play in a basketball game alongside their teachers in grades 3-5, and against their teachers in grade 6. Our students look forward to teaming up with their teachers for the fun-filled game! Hoops for Soup invites representatives from
The Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen and Blessing Store Food Pantry, two local nonprofits, to educate our community about their missions. Student leaders also share information that they have researched with their homerooms prior to the event. In addition, spectators and players are required to bring a canned good or boxed food item to support both organizations as their entry ticket into the game. Each year, we average approximately twenty-five boxes of donations. Teachers and students then assist representatives from both organizations in transporting the canned goods and boxed food items. Hoops for Soup is an amazing annual event that brings the community together for a great cause! |
Alex's Lemonade StandStudents and staff members have been participating in Alex's Lemonade Stand over the past 10 years. Lunch Bunch representatives in grades 3-6 organize the fundraiser which takes place annually during all lunches on one of the national Lemonade Days in June.
Prior to the fundraiser, the story and legacy of Alexandra Scott is shared with our students via our Morning Announcements by our News Crew and Lunch Bunch students. This annual fundraiser has become one of our students favorite service learning projects of the year! Students sell cups of lemonade and soft pretzels to raise money in support of the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. In addition, lemonade stands are also held during the annual Art Show, Ice Cream Social, and Talent Show each year. Some of our students have even organized lemonade stands in their neighborhoods in support. It is heartwarming to see our students taking the initiative to make a difference within their school and surrounding communities. We are proud to have raised thousands of dollars to support the mission of Alexandra Scott and her foundation.
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JDRF WalkStudents and staff members at Samuel Mickle School have participated in the JDRF Walk to raise awareness and money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for the past 5 years. Following a kick-off assembly facilitated by our Physical Education teachers and a representative from the organization, students sell sneakers and collect donations from the family and friends in support of the fundraiser. Prior to the walk, the sneakers that have been sold are displayed throughout the hallways leading into the gymnasium. On the day of the Walk, the school community participates in a mile long walk around the school grounds which culminates in the gym where a JDRF representative announces the total donations that we have collected to support the fundraiser. We have raised approximately $38,293 since 2012 to support JDRF's mission to make a difference!
Spring Food DriveStudents and staff members participated in a food drive to support Your Place at the Table, a food bank located at Trinity Methodist Church in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. Throughout the two week service project, we collected approximately 619 pounds of food to support the mission of Your Place at the Table. We appreciate the effort of our school community and are grateful for the opportunity to support those in need.
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Jump Rope for HeartOver the past few years, students at Jeffrey Clark School have participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program to support the American Heart Association and Society of Health & Physical Educators' effort to promote a healthy lifestyle. The event is organized by our PE teachers, Mrs. Sastic and Mr. Humphrey, and students have the opportunity to participate during their gym class. The program helps raise money and awareness for a healthy, active lifestyle, and the donations collected support children that have heart-related health issues. Students look forward to participating in this jump rope challenge while teaming up to make a difference in the lives of others.
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Grade Level Service Projects
In connection with our Character Education Initiative, students in grades 3-6 have the opportunity to participate in service learning projects that connect to their grade level's curriculum. The service learning projects were developed by the grade level teachers in collaboration with Character Education Coordinator, Stacy Kuhen. This year's service learning projects include: making books for Lena's Library, collecting donations for the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, creating Kindness Capes for younger students, and creating Sensory Bins for students at Saint John of God and The Larc Schools.
3rd GradeAs a part of their 3rd grade service learning project, students and teachers created A-Z books to support Lena's Library. Lena's Library was created to support 4-year old Evageline Tietjen of Vineland, NJ, who is currently battling an inoperable brain tumor. Lena loves to listen to stories and her family hopes that by creating a library for her, they will help transport her into a happier place as she receives treatment. Books that were developed by each of our third grade homerooms include: The A-Z of Food, The A-Z of Disney, The A-Z of Communities, The A-Z of School, The A-Z of Hobbies & Sports, and The A-Z of Animals. Each student received a letter and researched topics beginning with that letter which connected to the theme of their homeroom's book. Each student wrote a paragraph and illustrated a picture for their page of the book. When asked how they felt about the project, many students responded that they were happy to help, really enjoyed making books for Lena, and hoped that their books will make Lena smile. In addition to the books, our 3rd graders also made a video of positive messages and well wishes for Lena. We want her to know that we are thinking of her and continue to send positive thoughts her way. To learn more about Lena's Library, please visit
http://6abc.com/health/1st-delivery-of-books-arrive-for-girl-battling-brain-cancer/2666561/ Lena and her family remain in her thoughts and prayers. |
4th GradeAfter reading the book Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, which connects to the theme of responsible pet ownership and caring for animals, our 4th grade students participated in a service learning project to support the Gloucester County Animal Shelter. Supporting the shelter was an idea that was brought to us by one of our 6th grade students and we were excited that we were able to connect it to the 4th grade curriculum. As a kickoff to the project, students and staff members had the opportunity to meet Bill Lombardi, Director of the Shelter, and to learn about the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, the services that the shelter provides, and volunteer opportunities for our students to get involved in. Following the presentation, students researched the shelter, the animals that were housed there, and items that the shelter was in need of such as food, toys, blankets, paper towels, soap, and detergent. Each homeroom set a goal for the number of items they were aiming to collect and then students created flyers to advertise and share information about the donation drive with their families. The Animal Shelter Donation Drive took place over a two-week timeframe and our 4th graders were able to collect over 400 items to support the shelter. In addition, our students also created thank you cards for the staff members and volunteers at the shelter and for the families that adopt pets from the shelter. When asked how they felt about the project, students responded that they enjoyed researching the shelter, creating flyers, and bringing in items to support animals in need. Our 4th graders were happy to help and very proud of the number of donations that they collected. To learn more about the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, please visit http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/a/shelter/default.asp
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