In April, as the world celebrates Global Volunteer Month, students across the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District are seizing opportunities to make a meaningful impact from elementary to high school.
At Erving Elementary School, under the guidance of Teacher Lynette Bosman, students engage in monthly service projects through clubs like the Lighthouse Club and the Skyhawks Serve Club. These initiatives not only serve the community but also foster student engagement and spirit. Meanwhile, at Brownstown Middle School, the dedicated Service Squad led by students themselves is making waves with projects aimed at spreading kindness and gratitude. And students at Woodhaven High School, including members of the National Honor Society and DECA, are actively involved in diverse volunteer efforts both within the school community and beyond, embodying the spirit of service and compassion.
At Erving Elementary School, Mrs. Bosman works with fourth and fifth grade students in the Lighthouse Club, and third grade students in the Skyhawks Serve Club work on monthly service projects. The student Lighthouse team meets a few times a month to not only work on service projects, but to consider ideas for student engagement like spirit days as well.
“The students come up with not just service projects but things we want to do for Erving to make it a better school,” Bosman said.
In October the student Lighthouse team held a food drive and in November they created soldier treat boxes to be sent overseas. In December the group collected hats and mittens for a mitten tree and in February the students distributed handmade Valentines to Vets. In March the students held a cereal drive to donate to local food pantries. During April the group will create activities for Earth Day and in May they plan to work on teacher and nurse appreciation treats.
Skyhawks Serve is a service project-based club. Students who participate give up their lunch recess time to participate in projects. During the month of April, students will be cleaning up the school grounds as part of ongoing Earth Day activities. Additionally, the students have plans to paint rocks with inspirational sayings and will place them outside to give others a smile.
The Brownstown Middle School Service Squad has been hard at work this school year. This student-led club meets after school monthly to coordinate and accomplish projects. The BMS Service Squad is a service club focused on helping others as well as recognizing community members for their contributions.
BMS Service Squad is dedicated to building a culture of kindness and gratitude. Their mission is to encourage BMS students to make a positive impact by showing kindness and gratitude
toward others within our school and community.
Some of the projects they have already accomplished this school year include: provided snacks and water to Brownstown Police Department; wrote and mailed thank-yous to servicemen and servicewomen; collected items for Toys for Tots; rang the Salvation Army Bell outside of the Woodhaven Walmart in December and participated in Kids Against Hunger in March. Most recently, the group created hot cocoa containers for staff in the emergency department of Henry Ford Health Center - Brownstown. Future projects include recognizing nurses and police officers for their service, collecting cereal for those who may need breakfast during the summer, and making chew toys for animal shelters.
The BMS Service Squad is advised by Cheri Noble, BMS resource room teacher; Samantha Mall, BMS social worker; and Kim Tackett BMS paraprofessional.
Students at Woodhaven High School have many opportunities to get involved in activities in their school community and in the surrounding areas.
Those who are members of the National Honor Society can participate in activities like tutoring WHS students, selling concessions at the robotics competitions, or helping run the two blood drives which are student-run activities at WHS. One of the upcoming activities slated for later this month is the Cereal Drive the students organize to ensure students have breakfast throughout the summer.
WHS students who are involved in DECA also spend time volunteering. Members of the organization are encouraged to create and participate in activities that better the school community and the Downriver area. DECA students have partnered with Downriver for Veterans, Woodhaven-Brownstown Rotary and many other local organizations with their activities. Recently, in the district, the students have provided marketing and financial literacy lessons at the elementary schools, as well as helped with WBSD’s Unified Sports special events. They have also participated in volunteering at the most recent DCTC career fair.
DECA students have coordinated clothing drives, prom dress events and helped families in need for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In every corner of the WBSD, there are many more examples of students creating community engagement. From the youngest members at our elementary schools, to the leaders of tomorrow at Woodhaven High School, a dedication to making a difference prevails. As Global Volunteer Month draws to a close, the legacy of these initiatives will continue to resonate not just within the school walls, but throughout the entire community inspiring others to follow suit and contribute to the collective well-being of society.