At Your Service hear, “I can’t believe Ms. Holberg kept it after all of these years,” was an unforgettable moment. Students are also learning things about themselves through the At Your Service Program. Students who tend to be shy are learning that they do have leadership qualities. Some students are learning that they like to be around young children and may even want to be teachers. The older students are also learning to be good role models for the younger students because the younger ones are watching every move they make. One middle school student commented, “I learned that helping someone even in the smallest ways makes me happy.” The Lower School students love having new faces in their classes, and they are not afraid to ask for help from the older students. When asked about the program, one K4 student said, “I’m a big fan!” Some other comments from lower school students have been, “It’s fun making new friends with the older students,” and “I like when they help us.” I’ve even witnessed some of them recognizing the older students around campus and making comments like, “You were in my PE class the other day.” Being able to make connections like these is just one of the reasons why UMS-Wright is not only one school, but we are also one family. In the book, From the Chairs, the following quote is written, “By doing for others, we hope that each student learns that it is only by giving back to others that they will reach their highest potential.” The At Your Service Program is just one of the many ways UMS-Wright is continuing to fulfill the mission of our school, “…to educate students to their highest potential in mind, body, and spirit and to produce in each student character of the highest possible order.” “Charity begins at home,” is an old proverb that became the springboard for a new service-oriented program, "At Your Service." Beginning in January 2022, Middle and Upper School Students were given the opportunity to give back to their school by helping some of our Lower School Teachers. Students were assigned to one of the following classes: PE, Art, Music, Excel, Technology, Spanish, or Library, and they became the teachers’ extra helpers. Sometimes, the students were asked to set out PE equipment, help the K3’s through their obstacle courses, fill cups for painting in art class, help with presentations in Technology, or even to read a story in the library. Whatever the teacher needed help doing that particular day, the students were literally “At Your Service” for that teacher. Personally, it has been a privilege to watch the Middle and Upper School Students interact with the younger students. While giving back to their school, they are also demonstrating good character and leadership skills. Many students have found themselves reliving precious moments that they had when they were in Lower School: • “I used to love playing this game at PE.” • “I remember when I read this entire series of books.” • “I remember doing my own self portrait in art class.” Speaking of the self-portrait projects, Ms. Holberg shared with her class the self-portrait that one of the juniors had made when he was in Lower School. To be able to see the younger students’ reactions and to
Dana Stewart | Middle School Counselor & Service Coordinator
