FARMINGTON – At W.G. Mallett Elementary School, there are important lessons learned outside of the classroom as well as within.
Principal Tracy Williams began the school year with a simple goal for the school’s students. At an assembly she announced that each class would set goals for “community service,” helping make the aging school a better place for everyone.
“It could have fizzled out pretty easily,” Williams said, “before it really got off the ground. But I have to say that the teachers really pushed the idea.”
The goals started with modest ideas, like helping the janitors sweep or picking up parts of the school away from the student’s own rooms. Other students created artwork for the halls, with messages like “walk, don’t run.” Second graders started a “snack closet,” to provide a source of donated snacks for teachers to hand out to students who didn’t bring food from home.
“I thought it was pretty phenomenal,” Williams said. “They’ve put a lot of energy into this.”
The goals became more and more ambitious. Mallett School is now composting, thanks to third-grade students, who gave up their recesses, and the Sandy River Recycling Association which is now picking up paper waste. A small ceremony, held next week, will commemorate those achievements.
The projects began to reach beyond the school, as the scope of the “community” expanded. From making dolls for Iraqi children, to sending money and dog bones to the Franklin County Animal Shelter to visiting the senior residents at Pierce House, Mallett students’ contributions began to pop up everywhere.
One of the most impressive examples of this was the Hop-a-thon, held on May 6 and pictured above, which featured first graders and kindergartners hoping to raise money for the Pine Tree Camp. The participants raised $3,600, an amazing feat given the age group and tough economic times.
The camp which offers children with disabilities a summer camp experience, told Williams that the money could pay for the tuition of three, full-time students.
All in all, Williams thought that the experience was an important one for the Mallett School’s students. She’s definitely considering it next year as well.
