Community Day in Adrian - Students give back

This past spring the Adrian R-III Middle School and High School staff began brainstorming ways to accomplish the following goal set for by the R-III Board of Education: “The district and individual schools will annually develop, review, revise, and implement strategies and action agendas to improve communication with parents and community involvement in their children’s learning and attendance at activities.”

This year, tribes were born as a way to further communicate with parents of Middle School and High School (secondary) students regarding grades, Zeroes Aren’t Permitted (ZAPS), upcoming events, discipline, etc. They have also added a community component to the Tribes by trying to “give back” to the community in the form of two community service days. The first Community Day was Wednesday, September 21. Erin Huckaby 6th Grade Math Teacher, commented on her tribe’s experience.
“I did have a parent track me down just to tell me that she had just driven through town and saw the tribes out and about doing different things around the community and it brought a tear to her eye she said.  She said it was touching to see young kids out in the community helping others and felt that it is an important life lesson.  She even joined in the efforts of cleaning things up after that.  She said the least she could do was to help.” 

The community swelled with pride at the efforts of Adrian’s students and educators as evidenced by the many enthused citizens who contacted The Adrian Journal as the efforts were happening. Chris Shanks, Secondary Principal, was also enthused. “I think that the first community service day was successful. All of the feedback from the students was very positive. Students painted doors at the elementary school, lines on the playground, hauled trash, pulled weeds and landscaped barren areas on the school campus. Students also went out into the community and did various jobs in numerous places. This day is just another example of what it means to have Blackhawk Pride. We will plan another Community Service day in the Spring of 2012.”