Celebrating Community Day was held yesterday, Tuesday, April 21. This day, formerly known as Celebrating Service Day, is a reflection of the Spiritual Life Pillar at Episcopal. The day, recognized on all three campuses, included serving the school and community; nurturing and strengthening relationships within the school; and reflecting on service done throughout the year.
Munnerlyn Campus students were engaged in service learning all morning, with Middle School students hearing a presentation on local food and housing insecurity given by the directors of St. Mary’s food pantry before packing meals through Hunger Fight. Ninth-grade advisories served as hosts to students from North Florida School of Special Education and organized a spring festival for them. Students in 10th and 11th grade served off campus to partner with local non-profit organizations, hear about each’s impact on the city, and work on service projects. Seniors were on an all-day retreat at the Knight Campus, and those activities include beautification projects. In the afternoon, Munnerlyn Campus students engaged in activities and games to foster community. Within their advisories, Upper School students partnered with Middle School students.
The Beaches Campus community came together for a hands-on service project in partnership with their buddy class, building strong connections across grade levels. Each pair of students were assigned a project: fifth grade and Pre-K 3 students created bracelets for Ronald McDonald house; fourth grade and kindergarten students designed placemats for Mission House; second grade and Pre-K 4 students made bookmarks for Pablo Towers; and first and third grade students crafted cards for children at Nemours.
On the St. Mark’s Campus, Celebrating Community Day marked the culmination of a campus-wide collection led by first and second graders, with students contributing Crayola art supplies for children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. First and second grade students promoted and organized the collection, and second grade students wrote letters to accompany the donations. The day also reflected St. Mark’s ongoing commitment to service throughout the year:
- October, fifth grade students collected candy and wrote letters for Ronald McDonald House, while students in third through fifth grade created blankets for City Rescue Mission.
- December: Students participated in an Angels for Allison event, with cheerleaders sharing encouragement, students in grades three through five singing carols, and fifth grade students painting angel ornaments for families who are grieving.
- Spring: Second grade students sang for a Women’s Bible Study at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; students in third and fourth grade partnered with Angels for Allison by painting rocks and writing letters of care and encouragement for families.