April 8, 2025
ELA students present community service projects
By Staff Reports
Gray Stone Day School
6th grade students: Reese Pickler, Maddie Overcash, Ava Whisenant, Jonah Hancock and Carson Sharp.
At Gray Stone Day School, community service is a cornerstone of education, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy in our students.
Each year, seniors are required to complete a community service project in order to graduate and then present the portfolios to staff and community members.
The initiative not only enhances the learning experience, but also encourages students to actively contribute to society.
In a forward-thinking move, ELA teacher Pam Rutherford has introduced a new program to her 6th grade classes to engage in their own community service projects.
By participating in these projects, younger students are cultivating teamwork, developing leadership skills, and gaining a deeper understanding of the needs within their community, setting the stage for impactful contributions in their high school years and beyond.
The idea came to Rutherford when assigning readings of I am Malala and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind whose main characters work to find ways to solve problems.
Students were tasked with identifying real-world problems or concerns within their community and then brainstorm solutions.
“I felt this project was a wonderful way to start our Gray Stone Knights on their quest for community service that would culminate with their senior project.
By instilling a sense of civic responsibility from a young age, students are not only prepared academically, but also poised to make a lasting impact on society.
Additionally, these projects serve as a foundational step in their journey toward more significant community service projects they will undertake as seniors,” said Pam Rutherford.
Pollyanne Rhodes, middle school principal added, “I am so excited Mrs. Rutherford has taken the initiative to start this with our 6th graders.
As part of our commitment to develop well-rounded individuals, this early introduction to identifying community needs equips them with the tools to make meaningful contributions later in their educational journey.”
Students presented their projects on April 1 that included various topics such as a book drive for the Nazareth Children’s home, a canned food drive for Rowan Helping Ministries, making birdhouses, picking up liter from local parks, beautification and landscaping efforts on campus, and assisting with facilities and school cleanliness.
Gray Stone Day School is a public charter school for grades 6-12 and free to attend.