Middle school students learn while volunteering
April 17, 2024 - More than 200 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) middle school students spent their Wednesday morning serving others. The students came from the 14 Explore schools and fanned out to six Louisville-area non-profits, organizing food, sorting shoes, packing boxes of food or preparing furniture deliveries.
“We want our students to learn how to use their talents and gifts to serve others and that’s what’s happening today,” said Marcella Minogue, Explore administrator. “We want them to learn problem solving and collaborations and you can watch them figuring it out.”
At a warehouse on Fern Valley Rd. Explore Ambassadors from seven middle schools were busy packing rice and other food stuffs in packets and boxes to send overseas to families who need it. Lael from W.E.B. DuBois Academy was one of those students filling the packets with six of his classmates.
“I’ve never done anything like this before so it’s an interesting experience and I’m glad I get to do it with my brothers,” Lael said. “Now that I know people outside my immediate community are hungry and need help, I’m going to do something about it. It’s always nice to help someone.”
This was the second year that JCPS organized a day of service for students who are Explore Ambassadors. Explore pathways give middle school students the opportunity to experience various career paths before they head to high school.