Middle Students preparing for community service

Oceanside Middle School students are getting ready to undertake two hours of community service as part of a new requirement for all students. OMS has always had a strong community-service ethic and students select charities to fund each year and contribute through various sales and team spirit activities. However, the new service requirements are individual and ask students to develop and implement their own projects. The requirement was introduced on Make A Difference Day, a national event to encourage community service in conjunction with the Points of Light Foundation. Students explored global and local issues and watched short films such as “Caine’s Arcade” and a news clip of a Make A Wish Foundation event to inspire them. The school has supplied students with lists of possible service opportunities in the community and the school.

In addition to helping others, a worthy goal in itself, community service teaches students to develop ideas through brainstorming and research and to plan and carry out their activities. Helping others empowers students to recognize that their actions matter and to develop personal and civic responsibility.