Clarendon Hills Students Turn Testing Day into Service Project

UPDATE: Clarendon Hills Middle School eighth graders transformed a routine testing day into a remarkable opportunity for community service, showcasing their commitment to public welfare and animal care. While younger students took half a day for academic assessments on December 14, 2023, the eighth graders rolled up their sleeves to make a significant impact in their community.

The students undertook two major projects: creating “no sew” blankets for animals awaiting adoption at local shelters and advocating for the installation of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) systems at Prospect Park. This proactive approach demonstrates their dedication to both animal welfare and public safety.

The blanket-making initiative aims to provide warmth and comfort to shelter animals. Many of the eighth graders are pet owners themselves, which fueled their passion for helping animals in need. As teacher and project leader Meghan Carey stated, “Donated blankets allow the shelters to send them home with pets when they get adopted. Their scent on the blanket helps them transition to their new homes.”

In parallel, the students wrote letters to local officials urging support for AED installation in Prospect Park, a project inspired by the memory of former student Michael Brindley, who tragically passed away from cardiac arrest in 2016. His family founded the Just One Mike’s charity to raise awareness and funds for AED placements. Carey highlighted, “The parks in Clarendon Hills currently do not have any AEDs, so the students wrote letters advocating for the village to partner with Just One Mike to have them installed. We wanted to do this project in honor of Michael.”

This initiative not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also educates the students on the importance of community involvement. Eighth grader Radha Kaushal-Goel expressed her satisfaction with the blanket project, stating, “It left all of us feeling better, as we felt as if we had changed an animal’s life.”

Another student, Olivia Shum, reflected on the advocacy letters, saying, “It made us feel like we could make decisions in the community and be heard. It also was rewarding to help protect future generations by advocating for the AED. I felt like I could make a change in the world.”

The projects were born out of a desire to utilize the time effectively during testing days, as Carey explained, “When we realized we would have this half-day each year, we wanted to do something meaningful.”

The impact of these service initiatives extends beyond the classroom. They instill in students the value of giving back, aligning with the school’s social-emotional learning standards. Carey noted, “These projects were a perfect way for the students to put the lessons they learned into action.”

As they wrapped up their projects, students and teachers alike felt a sense of pride in their contributions. “They worked hard, and it showed in the quality of their letters and the blankets,” Carey concluded.

This remarkable effort by the eighth graders of Clarendon Hills Middle School is a testament to the positive influence young individuals can have on their communities. As they continue to advocate for meaningful causes, their actions serve as an inspiring example of how students can turn ordinary school days into extraordinary opportunities for change.