Students in Action

Making positive lifestyle changes in response to learning.

EARLY KINDERGARTEN (EK): HABITAT HAVEN

In Sharing the Planet, EK students created a classroom habitat haven to observe living things and discover how organisms transform and grow throughout their life cycles. This intentional space became a meaningful context for developing responsibility and stewardship. With delicate living guests, including caterpillars transforming into butterflies, ants, roly-polies, worms, and chicks hatched in the classroom, students learned to make thoughtful choices about their movement, voice, and actions. They recognized that the well-being of living things depended on the care they provided and adjusted their behavior to create a calm and safe environment. Through these daily lifestyle choices, students developed a deeper understanding of how living things grow and change while learning that their actions can positively impact the world around them.

Being actively involved in the learning community and showing commitment to contributing as individuals and as members of a group.

GRADES 2 & 4 BUDDIES SERVICE PROJECT: LETTERS OF LOVE

Grade 2 students partnered with their Grade 4 buddies to take part in a service project for the Letters of Love organization. Letters of Love collects handmade cards for distribution to children battling serious illnesses in hospitals, to spread joy, encouragement, and hope to those who need it most. Working together, students designed thoughtful cards filled with colorful artwork and heartfelt messages. Through collaboration with their buddies, they shared ideas, supported one another, and contributed to a meaningful community effort. This experience helped students recognize that even small acts of kindness can have a positive impact on others' lives. By participating in this service project, students demonstrated care, empathy, and a commitment to contributing as members of a larger community.

Taking action individually or collectively to publicly support positive social, environmental, or political change.

GRADE 5: CARPOOL CAMPAIGN

While studying the Future of Sustainable Energy and Transportation, Grade 5 students took action by organizing a schoolwide Carpool Day. Through their sustainability campaign, students raised awareness about reducing carbon emissions and encouraged families to make more environmentally conscious transportation choices. They communicated their message through posters, announcements, and community outreach to engage the school community in their initiative. Their advocacy inspired community participation and demonstrated how small, intentional actions can collectively contribute to a more sustainable future.

GRADE 5: MERCY WAREHOUSE

Grade 5 students took action by raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion. While volunteering at a reused clothing warehouse, they learned about clothing waste and equitable access to resources. Through their advocacy, students shared their learning with others and encouraged their community to donate, reuse, and make more sustainable choices. Their actions helped inspire positive change and demonstrated how informed action can make a meaningful difference.

Taking action for positive change relating to human rights, equality and equity. Being concerned with the advantages and disadvantages within society, and with social well-being and justice for all.

GRADE 3: EMPATHY WATER WALK & HARVEST SOLUTIONS FARM

As part of their inquiry into how access to resources affects quality of life, Grade 3 students explored water as a natural and limited resource, its role as a necessity for life, and the importance of access to safe water. Through their learning, students developed a deeper understanding of how unequal access to essential resources impacts communities around the world. Students took action through their Empathy Walk, raising awareness about water scarcity and fundraising to support the work of With My Own Two Hands in Kenya. By sharing presentations and encouraging donations, students helped others understand the importance of access to safe water and the impact it has on quality of life. To further extend their understanding of resource access and equity, students volunteered at Harvest Solutions Farm, an organization dedicated to creating food and nutritional security for all. Through planting, harvesting, and preparing fresh produce for distribution within the local community, students supported Harvest Solutions Farm’s mission of providing dignified, equitable, and consistent access to nutritious food while helping build a healthier community. Through these experiences, students made meaningful connections between water, food, and well-being while recognizing how communities can work together to support the needs of others. Their actions demonstrated a commitment to promoting equity and helping create positive change both locally and globally.

Supporting positive social change through responding to the needs of local, national, and global communities; applying prior knowledge and skills to identify and address challenges and opportunities in innovative, resourceful, and sustainable ways.

GRADE 1: JAGUAR RESCUE CENTER (JRC) FUNDRAISER

Grade 1 students demonstrated social entrepreneurship by identifying a meaningful way to support their adopted spider monkey, Sansa, at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica. After learning that we have a responsibility to conserve natural ecosystems and about the needs of rescued animals, students designed and created products to raise funds for Sansa’s care. With support from Mrs. Dickerson, Design Teacher, students used the 3D printer in the Design Center to create spider monkey pendants, which they paired with handmade bracelets. They also organized a lemonade stand to expand their fundraising efforts and connect with the wider school community. Students applied creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving as they planned, produced, and sold their products. By turning their ideas into action, they raised funds through the Jaguar Rescue Center’s symbolic adoption program, which helps provide food, veterinary treatments, medical care, and essential supplies for rescued animals. Through this experience, students learned that their skills, creativity, and initiative can be used to make a meaningful difference for a cause they care about.

Modeling Action at St. Mary’s

GRADE 3 FACULTY: WATER ADVOCATES

At St. Mary’s School, taking action is more than something we teach; it is something we model. Our faculty demonstrate a commitment to service and social responsibility in their everyday lives, showing students how compassion, empathy, and action can create meaningful change. This commitment was recently recognized by the With My Own Two Hands Foundation, which honored St. Mary’s faculty for their years of advocacy, partnership, and philanthropy in support of global water and agriculture initiatives. Through this ongoing collaboration, students see firsthand how local efforts can have a global impact. By modeling action and engaging students in meaningful service experiences, our teachers help students understand that they have the power to make a difference.