Year: 2024

We are thrilled to introduce our theme for 2024-2025: The Year of Service.  Our annual theme is an area of experimentation and special focus.  While we already use Service Learning as a preferred method of teaching, we hope to expand its use to academic areas previously untapped.  We will also further an understanding of its long-term beneficial effects upon each student, and upon the world through the ripples they create. This theme reflects our commitment not only to academic excellence but also to nurturing compassionate and engaged citizens. Through the Year of Service, we aim to instill in our students the values of empathy and generosity, while expanding their concept of community to maximum inclusion. By integrating more service-oriented projects and activities into our curriculum, we hope to provide students with meaningful experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime, and not evaporate as after a traditional test.  We have already documented how well this works through videotaped interviews with graduates now in high school, college, and beyond. Throughout the Year of Service, our students will have the opportunity to participate in various service projects. These projects will range from class community initiatives, to environmental initiatives and social outreach programs, and finally to collaborations with local non-profits, community organizations, and global organizations. By actively engaging in these activities, students will learn the importance of giving back and the impact that their actions can have on the lives of others. Our goal is to foster a sense of responsibility and leadership in our students, encouraging them to become caring, proactive members of society. We believe that the Year of Service will not only enhance our students’ academic journey but also create a school culture that values kindness, cooperation, and the well-being of others, including all who share this planet. We invite you, our parents and guardians, to join us in this endeavor by supporting and encouraging your children as they embark on this journey of service. I will document a running account of our service activities and successes on our private Facebook page.