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Stepping Out and Giving Back: A Look at Middle School Community Engagement Days

This year, our Middle School embarked on a powerful journey beyond the classroom with our dedicated Community Engagement (CE) Days. These four special days throughout the academic year intentionally pause our regular program, offering our students invaluable opportunities to connect with the wider world, engage in meaningful service learning, and explore pressing issues affecting our local communities. 
CE Days are designed to be more than just a break in routine; they are a vital component of our Middle School experience, carefully crafted to enrich our students' academic journey and foster a deeper understanding of their place in the world. By stepping outside the familiar rhythms of their daily school life, our students had the chance to break patterns, engage with fresh perspectives, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
 
The first CE Day served as a crucial foundation, bringing all Middle School students together on campus to prime them for the learning and engagement to come. This day set the stage for the year's themes and prepared them to be thoughtful and active participants in their upcoming experiences. Building on this foundation, each grade level then delved into a specific area of community need throughout the remaining three CE Days, rotating through different local organizations and initiatives:
  • 6th Grade: Environmental Sustainability - Our 6th graders have been immersed in the vital work of environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on our local ecology. Their explorations have centered on native and invasive plant species and the ongoing efforts in local environment restoration, especially along our precious coastline. These experiences have fostered a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world and the importance of environmental stewardship.

  • 7th Grade: Abilities and Access - The 7th grade has focused on the critical issues surrounding abilities and access within our community. Their engagement has included visits to the Samaritan House, participation in food and clothing drives, and learning about housing initiatives. Through these experiences, they are gaining valuable insights into advocacy and the diverse programs that support individuals with different abilities and needs.

  • 8th Grade: Addressing Hunger in the Bay Area - Our 8th graders have turned their attention to the significant issue of hunger in the Bay Area. Their experiences have exposed them to the realities faced by individuals and families in our region, including impactful visits to food banks in places like the Tenderloin. These encounters are designed to build empathy and understanding of the complexities surrounding food insecurity.
Over the course of their Middle School years, our students will have participated in an impressive nine different community engagement trips, each carefully chosen to align with our core values of kindness and inclusion and to encourage them to engage with enthusiasm. These experiences challenge them to seek growth challenges as they navigate new environments and interact with diverse communities. They learn what it means to represent Crystal in the wider world and how to show up in these new spaces with respect and an open heart.
 
These foundational experiences in Middle School are not isolated events. They are intentionally designed to cultivate the values and awareness that will prepare our students for the deeper, more specialized engagement and leadership opportunities that await them in the Upper School. By building this groundwork of empathy, understanding, and a commitment to service, we are empowering our Middle Schoolers to become thoughtful, engaged, and impactful members of their communities, both now and in the future.
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10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002
650-645-1000

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400 Uplands Drive, Hillsborough, CA 94010
650-342-4175
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