On Friday, January 12, DCD students came together for our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, engaging in a wide range of efforts across grade levels to support projects in their communities!

In the day’s opening assembly, art instructor Karen Eutemey led a presentation exploring how each of us can use our individual talents to give back to our communities. Confronting the limiting question that children often face of what they want to be when they grow up, Ms. Eutemey reminded the assembles students that: “You don’t have to be grown to do something, and you don’t have to do just one thing.” With this encouraging message of service, students struck off to begin their own service projects for the day. Check out all the student projects and the organizations that will benefit from service learning at DCD!

  1. Pre-K: Baked dog and cat treats for Animal Rescue League
  2. Kindergarten: Assembled birthday bags for The Walker School
  3. Grade 1: Crafted murals for the Madonna Manor Nursing Home
  4. Grade 2: Participated in the Make-a-Wish Walkathon
  5. Grade 3: Crafted valentines and thank-you cards for shoppers of the Dedham Food Pantry
  6. Grade 4: Collected towels and blankets to be donated to Animal Rescue League, learned about the shelter, and created this year’s Fun Run logo
  7. Grade 5: Participated in the 30 Days of Service Challenge, creating, sharing, and distributing service ideas

 

Middle School Service Learning Projects:

  1. Operation Gratitude: Crafted handwritten letters and care packages to active duty military to thank them for their service
  2. Valentines for Linden and Sunrise: Wrote valentines to nursing home residents
  3. Nothing but Nets: Created powerpoint presentations on malaria education and signage for the upcoming Shootathon Fundraiser
  4. Book Drive: Made Get Well cards for Boston Children’s Hospital and planned for an upcoming Book Drive
  5. Nameplates for Charles River Center: Painted personalized wooden workstation name tags to support adults with developmental disabilities
  6. Dedham Food Pantry: Sorted foods and prioritized soon-to-expire goods for distribution to prevent food waste
  7. Cradles to Crayons: Designed promotional signs for the upcoming school-wide clothing drive
  8. Knitting for Circle of Hope: Knitted scarves and hats to be donated to those in need

After the day of service, students regathered for a closing assembly, in which Head of School Allison Webster offered this closing encouragement: “I hope everyone walks out of here knowing that you don’t have to wait for MLK day to be of service and to help others. Every single day, you can do things that make the world a better place.”

Thank you to Colleen Hultgren and Laura Martinez and all of our incredible teachers for helping to organize this powerful day of service!