CHARACTER CLAIM three
MGM students demonstrate servant leadership by fostering and contributing to a culture of service.
Introduction
Students at MGM expand their ability to think globally and act locally. As learning expeditions at all grade levels have evolved they have all incorporated a service component. All students also have opportunities to participate in service projects through CREW. iCivics is an "encore" (elective) class that also includes a significant service element in its curriculum. In addition to service that is integrated into the curriculum, students step up to serve when their neighbors are in need. In these ways a culture of service is woven throughout the fabric of our school. This culture of service positively impacts our community, thereby contributing to a better world.
Students at MGM expand their ability to think globally and act locally. As learning expeditions at all grade levels have evolved they have all incorporated a service component. All students also have opportunities to participate in service projects through CREW. iCivics is an "encore" (elective) class that also includes a significant service element in its curriculum. In addition to service that is integrated into the curriculum, students step up to serve when their neighbors are in need. In these ways a culture of service is woven throughout the fabric of our school. This culture of service positively impacts our community, thereby contributing to a better world.
Evidence Block One: Expedition Service
As our learning expeditions for each grade level have evolved, they have also incorporated a service element at each grade level. In some cases the service may be providing goods for those in need, raising awareness of various issues, or organizing a school event. These service opportunities contribute to a better world both locally and globally.
6th Grade
For the service component of their expedition, "Rules to Live By," sixth grade students collected needed supplies for Families of Hope, a local organization that supports the needs of foster families in the Lexington area. This was relevant because the students read Bud, Not Buddy, which describes Bud's life as a foster child, as part of the expedition study. Each sixth grade CREW collected items for a specific aged foster child, and these items were then donated and delivered to Families of Hope. Twenty-four duffle bags of items were collected. Through Families of Hope, these items were then provided to local foster families who were in need of supplies for their foster child. |
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7th Grade
As part of the 7th grade expedition, "What's the True Cost?" students examined what's behind the true cost of our clothing and food. As part of examining living wages around the world, students participated in a simulation of worldwide poverty. Students then worked outside of school to earn money, which they donated to Heifer International. Students donated a total of $937.33 to Heifer International to benefit impoverished people in Africa.
As part of the 7th grade expedition, "What's the True Cost?" students examined what's behind the true cost of our clothing and food. As part of examining living wages around the world, students participated in a simulation of worldwide poverty. Students then worked outside of school to earn money, which they donated to Heifer International. Students donated a total of $937.33 to Heifer International to benefit impoverished people in Africa.
8th Grade
8th grade students participated in an expedition entitled, "Take a Stand". During this expedition students selected topics to research and then take action to address their causes, ranging from local issues to international concerns. "Take a Stand" topics have included: police and community relationships, veteran's affairs, deforestation, acceptance of racial and gender diversity, mental health services for teens in the juvenile justice program, homeless animals, and arts appreciation. Some student groups publicized their topics at our town's "Kid's Day" celebration, as seen in the photos below. These projects raised awareness in the Lexington community regarding a variety of issues, such as child abuse, animal testing, and deforestation. |
“For the purpose of our expedition, we, as an eighth grade, have adopted the following definition of to take a stand: take a stand means to become an agent of nonviolent change for the purpose of improving the lives of other living things.” |
The student group pictured below organized a Buddy Walk to highlight the needs of students with autism at MGM as their "Take a Stand" project.
These "Take a Stand" projects are examples of student-generated service projects. These students selected a cause in which they were interested, and then worked together to "Take a Stand" for that cause. Some projects raised awareness about topics
Evidence Block Two: Disaster Outreach
The MGM family steps in to provide service in times of need, both within and outside of our local community. In October 2015 South Carolina experienced a thousand year flood, which affected many areas of the state, including Lexington. While school was out for multiple days, the MGM football team organized a work day to help clean up the Old Mill area, where a pond dam had burst.
The MGM family steps in to provide service in times of need, both within and outside of our local community. In October 2015 South Carolina experienced a thousand year flood, which affected many areas of the state, including Lexington. While school was out for multiple days, the MGM football team organized a work day to help clean up the Old Mill area, where a pond dam had burst.
The MGM family mobilized to assist in the wake of another natural disaster, Hurricane Harvey, which caused destruction in Houston, Texas in September 2017. In just three days, MGM faculty, students, and community members organized a “Pack the Pallets” campaign. We collected, packaged, and loaded food and nonperishable items to send to Houston. The initial goal of packing two pallets was quickly reached, and ultimately, fourteen pallets of food and other needed items were sent to aid the hurricane victims in Texas. |
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Evidence Block Three: iCivics Service
In iCivics class students have the opportunity to engage in many types of service to their school and local community. These activities are differentiated by grade level, and include the following.
In iCivics class students have the opportunity to engage in many types of service to their school and local community. These activities are differentiated by grade level, and include the following.
6th Grade
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7th Grade
8th Grade
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Evidence Block Four: CREW Service
A culture of service is also fostered through CREW. During CREW students choose a variety of ways to serve their school and local community. This has included cleaning and beautifying our building and campus, providing breakfast for teachers, providing breakfast for custodial staff, collecting and delivering canned good for a local food bank, organizing a 5K for flood relief, making blankets for hospital patients, and collecting books for a lending library. By focusing on service in CREW all students are provided with another opportunity to develop a servant's heart. To the right are pictures from some of our CREW service projects. |
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