Service Learning gives students the chance to learn beyond the walls of the classroom by connecting them with real community needs and helping them build important life skills through hands-on experiences.
On Friday, April 24th, all D123 students took part in Service Learning Day, dedicating a total of hundreds of service hours, with each student completing 5 hours of service. Throughout the day, students worked together to support both our schools and the surrounding community by participating in a wide range of meaningful projects. It was a rewarding experience that allowed students to give back, strengthen connections, and see the positive impact they can make.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to the students from Marist, Brother Rice, St. Rita, and Richards for their support during our Service Learning Day, as well as CHSD 218’s Adult Transition Program, High 5 Apparel, for designing our outstanding Service Learning Day shirts, which were proudly worn by the entire OLHMS staff.
As part of D123’s Service Learning Day, students across all of our feeder schools participated in meaningful service projects designed to give back to others. Our seventh grade students played an important leadership role throughout the day! They visited classrooms to share a story about service and discuss the importance of helping others in our community. After reading, the seventh graders stayed to assist and encourage the younger students as they completed their grade appropriate service projects.
Each grade level contributed in a special way:
Pre-K: Created handprint flower bouquets for lunch staff, teachers, administrators, the school resource officer, and office staff. Each bouquet included the message, “Thanks for taking a hand in my 1st learning experience.” Seventh graders helped trace students’ hands onto paper vases before the Pre-K students colored and decorated them. They then distributed the cards to staff.
- Kindergarten: Designed signs to support and celebrate the 8th graders during their graduation walks. Seventh graders helped distribute supplies and worked alongside students to create the signs.
- 1st Grade: Made thank-you cards for first responders to show appreciation for those who work every day to keep our community safe.
- 2nd Grade: Created cards for Jacky’s Soldiers, an organization started by a veteran’s daughter that sends letters and cards to soldiers overseas so they feel remembered and supported.
- 3rd Grade: Decorated puzzle pieces with kind messages and drawings for patients at Hope Children’s Hospital. These were delivered along with blankets made by our 6th graders and the CASE program.
- 4th Grade: Decorated paper graduation gowns for the 8th graders. The gowns will be displayed on lockers as a special way to celebrate their upcoming graduation.
- 5th Grade: Wrote heartfelt thank-you letters to teachers to recognize their hard work, dedication, and support throughout the school year.
The day provided students with a wonderful opportunity to work together, learn the value of service, and make a positive impact in both our schools and the larger community.
After learning about the meaning of philanthropy, our 6th grade students put their knowledge into action through a variety of hands-on service projects. Each advisory group was given a different opportunity to serve, allowing students to make a positive impact in meaningful ways. Some students created piñatas for Cosley Zoo, while others made Cans of Hope for Ronald McDonald House Charities, designed bookmarks for the OLHMS library or Comfort Cases, arranged paper flowers bouquets for Warren Barr, and crafted snuffle mats for Hinsdale Humane Society, designed onesies and bibs for Adoption Centers of IL. Beautified our butterfly garden with the help of our CASE students, Ms. Grady, Officer Craig, and Mr. Cassidy. Another class was tasked with conserving dignity for foster care children for the Suitcase Project by designing duffle bags for their belongings. Another class spread smiles to senior citizens with the Color a Smile card program. The Keyser Cancer treatment center will also be receiving beautifully decorated journals.
Students who created piñatas for Cosley Zoo contributed to the zoo’s Enrichment Programs, which are designed to improve the well-being of both wild and domestic animals. These programs provide animals with stimulating environments and opportunities for choice, helping to encourage natural behaviors, positive interactions, and reduced stress. Through their creativity and hard work, our students helped make a difference in the lives of the animals, one piñata at a time.
For the Cans of Hope project benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, students first chose themes such as love, spring, and superheroes to inspire their designs. They decorated each can with pictures, words, and stickers to make them bright and personal. Inside, they placed heartfelt notes filled with encouragement, kindness, and hope. Using both inspirational ideas and their own thoughtful words, students wrote uplifting messages for children facing serious illnesses. These special cans will soon be delivered to children at Hope Children's Hospital, helping remind them they are supported and cared for.
During Service Learning Day, our 7th grade students had the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of volunteer experiences focused on giving back to both our schools and the community. Students were divided into six groups, with each group assigned to visit one of our D123 feeder schools. Once there, they participated in four different activity rotations throughout the day.
The first rotation gave students the chance to read aloud to elementary students and share stories centered around kindness, service, and making a difference. The books included 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World for Pre-K, The One Day House for Kindergarten, Say Something! for 1st grade, Dixie and the Good Deeds for 2nd grade, Kids Who Are Changing the World for 3rd grade, and Heroes of the Environment for 4th grade. These books were made available thanks to Mrs. Maggie Omiecinski, who applied for and received a grant through the D123 Educational Foundation to purchase them for Service Learning Day.
During the next session, students worked on grade-appropriate service projects. At the same time, our encore classes supported several meaningful causes.
The following rotations encouraged students to reflect creatively by designing inspirational sidewalk chalk messages outside the feeder schools. In addition, 5th grade students had the chance to “leave their mark” by decorating a rock with their name, which will be displayed near the Bryan Barrett Memorial at OLHMS.
Some 7th grade advisories also traveled to the Pollination Garden, where they completed a variety of service projects such as collecting garbage, cleaning equipment, creating sidewalk chalk art, removing scuff marks from playground structures, spreading mulch in the Bryan Barrett Memorial garden, and weeding around the Tree Nursery.
At the same time, our encore classes supported several meaningful causes. Other encore classes and our CASE program created blankets for Ronald McDonald House Charities and Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, as well as placemats for Meals on Wheels. Students also made thank-you cards for D123 custodial staff, happy notes for our kindergarteners, the Oak Lawn Police Department, firefighters, and EMTs to show appreciation for their service, as well as inspirational cards for Lurie Children’s Hospital.
At the end of the day, students returned to the classroom to reflect on their experiences. They answered questions about the service they completed, the ways they helped others, and how their efforts positively impacted the community. They also shared ideas for improving future Service Learning Days. To wrap up the experience, students played a service-themed Blooket game, analyzed videos highlighting acts of service, and wrote letters to incoming 7th graders describing their experiences and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
To conclude our Service Learning Day, 8th grade students had the exciting opportunity to leave campus and participate in service projects throughout the community. Each advisory group visited a different location, including Cradles to Crayons, Richards and Oak Lawn Community High School, the D123 Community Garden and Senior Center, the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, the Manteno Veterans Home, Lake Katherin, Little Red School House, Palos Children’s Farm, the Oak Lawn Public Library, and the Pilgrim Faith Food Pantry.
As part of a long-standing tradition, Richards and Oak Lawn Community High School once again partnered with us for this special day. When students arrived, they were divided into groups and rotated through three service activities led by high school students. First, they created thoughtful cards encouraging high school students to make safe and responsible choices on Prom Night. Next, they made fleece blankets for young cancer patients at Advocate Children's Hospital. Their final activity was “Chalk the Walk,” where students filled the sidewalks with positive messages and uplifting artwork to inspire others.
Another unforgettable experience took place at Cradles to Crayons, where students volunteered in the Giving Factory. There, they helped sort and package essential items such as hygiene products, school supplies, and clothing for children across the Chicagoland area. Their hard work directly supported children and families experiencing poverty.
Students who visited Pilgrim Faith Food Pantry (New Hope) also made a meaningful impact by helping local families in need. In the weeks leading up to Service Learning Day, OLHMS students collected hundreds of canned goods and non-perishable food items. Each morning during advisory, 8th graders helped organize the donations, and the day before the event, they loaded everything for delivery. Once at the pantry, students worked together to check expiration dates, sort food into categories, and assemble bags for families receiving support.
After returning from their service sites, students spent time reflecting on the day and the impact of their work. They responded to reflection questions, watched and analyzed videos such as The Lorax and The Sneetches to better understand the meaning of service, and brainstormed new ways they could continue helping others in the future.
Overall, Service Learning Day was both meaningful and inspiring for our 8th grade students. It gave them a deeper appreciation for the importance of serving others and left them motivated to continue making a difference in their schools and community.