Woodcliff Middle School Students are “On the Map”

Changing the World through Service Learning!

In the words of noted anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” These words served to inspire over 80 students and 20 school administrators and representatives from Woodcliff Lake to take part in a Global Youth Service Day!

Global Youth Service Day is a campaign that celebrates and mobilizes millions of children and youth to positively impact their communities through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, GYSD occurs in over 100 countries and is the largest service event in the world!

When members of the Woodcliff Middle School Student Council began searching for their next community outreach project they went right to the BergenVolunteens web site to look for opportunities to make a difference!

It was then that the idea of participating in a GLOBAL youth service day took hold. While taking part in a “Community Clean Up!” at the Old Mill on April 23rd, students in Woodcliff Lake, literally united with thousands of young people across the world, changing the world, one student at a time.

Student Council members reached out to the Community Service Club, Environmental Club, and Borough Hall in celebration of the true spirit of Earth Day (being addressed in science classrooms across the grade levels) as they cleaned up, spruced up, and beautified their recreation area and gave back to a community that has given so much to its youth!

According to Trish Montini, 7th Grade Collabrative Teacher at Woodcliff Middle School, “When children are engaged in meaningful ‘service’ opportunities, it is the adults, who are fortunate to partner with them, who ‘learn’ about the positive contributions that even the youngest volunteers can make to their communities!"

For more information about how you can offer exciting opportunities for young people to participate in meaningful and rewarding service learning activities please contact Debbie Emery at 201-489-9454, ext. 118.

To read more inspiring articles from the youth in Bergen County visit Bergen VolunTEENS.