Kirkwood School District

NKMS has implemented a school-wide initiative to have every student participate in service-learning.  Teachers, administrators, and staff have worked hard for several years to create a program that is both academic and meaningful.  This year, it was decided that the students would stay with their grade level peers and break into groups centered on various topics.  The school has dedicated all five half day mornings to the program, as well as using other days as needed.  Here is a brief summary of what some of the groups have been doing so far this year…

6th Grade Animal Group
All sixth grade students learned about animals and animal rights.  They began by hearing from animal agencies that came into NKMS to educate them about animals in our area.  The agencies include Humane Society of MO, Support Dogs, and the APA.  They also participated in an advocacy group that taught the children what advocacy means and then made donation kits to be donated back to the Humane Society and APA for their time and presentations. On the next half day, students went out into the community to help:

One group went to the St. Louis Zoo to help paint huge boxes to look like presents for Raja’s birthday.  The present boxes will then be filled with fruits, nuts and hay as an enrichment program for the elephants. Students also got to go on a 30-minute tour of the Primate House to learn about animal enrichment.
Another group went to Support Dogs to learn about how dogs can help people with different abilities.  Students also completed some service at Support Dogs. 
The third group went to Longview Park in Town and Country off of Clayton Rd.  This park is an equine-assisted therapy program.  Students received a tour of the barn and facilities, helped clean horse tackle and groomed the horses.
The fourth trip went to Long Meadow Rescue Ranch, a division of Humane Society of MO, in Union.  Students toured the facilities and cleaned the barn.

6th Grade Kids Helping Kids
Sixth grade students also went through two rotations in an effort to understand the challenges some kids face.  One rotation involved a Project Backpack volunteer who explained the needs of kids in a crisis situation.  Afterward, North 6th graders made objects to entertain and to help distract kids in these situations with something fun.  Another Kids Helping Kids rotation involved making fleece blankets for kids waiting for medical treatments. These blankets were then delivered to the Shriner's Hospital.

On the second half day, Kids Helping Kids walked to the seven 5th grade classrooms at Westchester and Keysor.  The purpose was to develop a buddy relationship with each 5th grader so as to bridge the gap between 5th grade elementary school and 6th grade middle school.  The students designed a handprint (with info about the 6th grader) to give to the 5th graders as symbolically "extending our hands," then helped 5th graders draw their own footprint, as 5th graders will be "following in our footsteps."  Ice-breakers, conversations, and working together on activities and games will promote this buddy relationship. 

7th Grade Disabilities Awareness Group
Seventh grade students have been learning about disabilities through presentations, simulations, and discussions.  They then worked to help others, as well as raise awareness:

One group went to rake at a disabled person’s house because she is unable to do so herself.  This project was in partnership with St. Louis ARC.
Students are currently creating PSAs highlighting the amazing abilities that those with disabilities have.

Students are preparing for an “abilities fair” to be presented at Tillman in the spring.  The intent is to teach the younger students about the unique strengths those with disabilities have.

Students stuffed 6,353 envelopes for the MS society.

7th Grade Community Health Group
Seventh grade students in the Community Health Group planned and ran NKMS’s annual blood drive. 119 pints were collected!

7th Grade Veterans Group
Seventh grade students in the veterans group helped create a very meaningful Veterans Day tribute.  On the December half day, some of the students helped sew fleece gaiters, as well as writing holiday cards for the troops and creating public service announcement posters to raise awareness about the number of troops, all over the world, who will be away from their families over the holidays.

8th Grade Focuses on Hunger Issues
Eighth grade students focused on hunger for their half day service learning. Students read the book Seedfolks to learn more about how a community came together around a community garden.  They spent their December half day rotating through 4 different activities: cooking with St. Louis Food Factory, working with a nutrition expert, watching half of the King Korn video, and researching a variety of plants to plant in greenhouse. Their overall focus is: Why is organic food good for you and how can you grow your own? They will end the year with trips to community gardens to plant.