St. Augustine School has many goals for our children while they share their days with us.  One of these goals is to teach them about giving back to others, through community service. Each grade has a specific class project, as well as several school wide projects.

 

School Wide Projects:

 

October- Make a Difference Day. This is a national day to help others.  We will collect new socks, (men’s, women’s, and children’s) to give to the homeless of Kalamazoo.  Look for a collection box in the front hallway at school.

 

November- Senior Appreciation Day (Honoring Ree Millard) This day takes place on a Saturday in November.  School families rake leaves at the homes of our senior parishioners to thank them for their support of our school.

 

December – The school will participate in our annual ANGEL TREE PROGRAM. A Christmas tree is placed in the front hall with needed gift items written on our handmade ornaments.  We encourage the students and their parents to choose an ornament, purchase the gift, and place it under the tree.  Several school families will receive these items as well as donated food and household products. These “baskets” are assembled by parents and students before we leave for Christmas vacation.

 

February – We make “Valentines for Vets”.   Each class makes beautiful valentines for the Veterans at the Battle Creek VA Hospital.

 

May- The students make both Mothers and Fathers Day cards for the moms and dads at Ministry with Community.

 

Individual Grade Projects

 

Young 5’s: The students provide treats for our St. Augustine parishioners around the holidays.

 

Kindergarten: The children earn money at home by doing chores.  They bring their money to school and it is donated to the “Warm Kids Program”.  This program is able to purchase a winter coat, boots, mittens, hat and scarf for only $45.00.  The children are also encouraged to bring in new mittens, hats, and scarves to donate to those children who might otherwise be cold over the winter.

 

1^st Grade: The First Graders read to the elderly once a month.  They currently go to Fontbanne Manor and read to retired Sisters of St. Joseph.

 

2^nd Grade: This grade coordinates the school-wide coat drive and food drive. The past several years the children have donated the coats to the Salvation Army. The food is donated to a food pantry at Saint Augustine Cathedral which is coordinated by Loaves and Fishes. 

 

3^rd Grade: A basket is kept in the cafeteria during lunchtime to collect any extra wrapped food, fruit, or treats. These items are walked over to the Eleanor Street Homeless Shelter behind St. Augustine by two of the children and a playground supervisor.  The Third Grade Class has been nominated for a STAR Award twice. Please remember to pack extra treats on occasion.

 

4^th Grade: The students in grade 4 serve our school.  Once a month they collect all used paper and recycle it. 

 

5^th Grade: The children in this grade do yard work and bake cookies for the Kalamazoo Hospitality House.  This is a home where people are able to stay when their loved ones are in the hospital for an extended period of time. 

 

6^th Grade: This grade has adopted an orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico.  It is a home and safe house to 52 girls who have been taken from the streets after being beaten, abused, or abandoned by their families.  Sixth grade students provide child care for families during PTO meetings.  In return, the families donate items, such as socks, soap, toothpaste, and other needed goods. These items are sent to the orphanage. 

 

7^th Grade: These students do yard work for elderly parishioners in the fall and throughout the year.  They rake yards in November, send Christmas cards in December, follow up with phone calls and yard work in the spring.

 

8^th Grade: The Eighth Grade students go to Ministry with Community every other Monday.  An Eighth grade parent drives 4 students and stays with them to help serve lunch to the homeless.  

Community Service

At St. Augustine Cathedral School