Volunteer
Gabriela
Gabriela's
Story
“I love the diversity of projects we can do for community service. We partner with other schools. We volunteer at an elderly home. It helps you understand different perspectives.
Our last service trip to the elderly home impacted me a lot. I met a woman who was 107 years old. She said the key to a long life is to be happy all the time. You learn really valuable lessons spending time with them. It was the most eye-opening experience for me.
I like working with younger kids. You have to find things in common with them to get along with them, and I had a lot in common with some of the kids (at our service school). I also volunteered at a homeless shelter and want to do more of that. I helped back in the kitchen.
At Chadwick, the teachers are great. They feel more like your friends than your teachers. The other kids here don’t judge you. They respect you. Our school is based on trust and the core values. You can just leave your backpack around, and people won’t mess with it.
Becky Noble Community Service Director
On Gabriela
“Gabriela wrote very insightful reflections after her experience with Middle School community service. She is very self-reflective.
For two full days a year, our Middle School students go off campus to serve the greater community. Some of the service sites include special education classrooms, retirement communities, soup kitchens, food pantries, the Salvation Army and more.
Our kids learn the sense of responsibility that comes with leadership. They learn how to interact with others in a positive and nurturing manner. They find out more about themselves and how well they work with each other. It’s about compassion. How do you offer a hand-up rather than a hand-out? It’s sharing your gifts in a way that’s respectful and responsible.
I believe the roots of good character are developed early. Middle School is the prime time to encourage students to think beyond themselves, to get in tune with how other people see them and the world. It’s a time for them to redefine themselves.”