Spotlight on Service Learning: 8th Grade Making a Difference

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." 

This week's blog is a shout out to our 8th grade staff team and their students, who paved the way in helping us to change the world a little bit in recent weeks. If you were at school on Friday, October 21, you could not have missed the energy and excitement that took place around the food drive for Meals on Wheels. We are trying a lot of new things this year, and our Service Learning Partner Days are one of them. The 8th Grade Team had the brilliant idea to host a food drive instead of bringing in dollars for their partner organization, and they have been intentional and organized about it from ideation to execution. This was a wonderful example of "Thoughts are Things" in action! 

While we were unable to quantify exactly how much food we brought in for Meals on Wheels, we filled up 10 parent cars with the goods, they brought it to Meals on Wheels, and our Aspen Academy community undoubtedly fed many, many families last week. And last week, they contributed over 550 blankets via Service Learning Project Day. I am inspired, and I hope you all are, too! 

Great work, 8th grade team, and thanks for leading the way on a new idea for all of us. 

For more on Service Learning at Aspen Academy, click here.