Grade School Day of Service: “Noblesse Oblige: Continuing the Legacy"

“These service projects gave our students invaluable lessons beyond the classroom and hands-on experience in helping to make our community a better place,” said Chris Loomis, the principal of Maryknoll Grade School. “It speaks volumes that our entire school ‘ohana rallied together, including teachers, office staff, parents and alumni, to perpetuate the values of the Maryknoll Sisters and give back to others. The spirit of Noblesse Oblige is alive and well.”

 

Each grade spent several hours volunteering or learning about different community causes.

 

- Kindergarteners partnered with Lanakila Meals on Wheels at Kalihi Union Church Gym. The students sang songs, did crafts and presented donated toiletry items to seniors.

 

- Grade 1 students sang songs and did crafts with the elderly residents at Arcadia Retirement Residence in Makiki.

 

- Grade 2 and Grade 8 students assisted Hawaii Kai Hui with planting native plants and clearing invasive species at Keawawa Wetland in Hawaii Kai.

 

- Grade 3 students did a beach clean-up at Makapu‘u Beach Park with Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation.

 

- Grade 4 students did a beach clean-up at Ala Moana Beach Park.

 

- Grade 5 students cleaned signage and prepared education handouts at Honolulu Zoo.

 

- Grade 6 students learned from the Ala Wai Watershed Association about the organization’s work to clear invasive species and maintain the watershed.

 

- Grade 7 students gardened at Ka Papa Lo‘i O Kānewai, the taro patch at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.

 

This was the first time that a community service day was held for the entire Grade School. We hope to continue this new tradition for years to come and we’re very grateful for the many community organizations that partnered with us to make this day of service a success!