GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

                  155 Washington Pl.., Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 • 201.670.2790 

Greetings 7th Graders & Families,

Although we already sent our April Community Service Newsletter, we heard about several more opportunities coming up and wanted to reach out again for a mid-April update. At the time I am sending this, 7th graders have logged 1,300 hours of service! If you have not already logged your hours, please do so immedi

Here are a few updates from some of the groups/organizations:

• The RBSA is pleased to offer its 16th Annual All-Stars Program, a four-day clinic that takes place over four weeks (April 23rd - May 14th) and is designed for children with special needs. The program will run from 10-11:30 AM on Sunday, April 23rd, April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th with a rain date of Sunday, May 21st. The program will be held at Veterans Field, Ridgewood (by the bandshell behind Ridgewood Library.)
• The GWMS Green Team is meeting at the Bandshell at Veterans’ Field at 10AM on Saturday April 15th to clean up trash. Students may also volunteer to help the RHS Green Team plant trees at Stevens Field at noon on Saturday, April 15th. The GWMS Green Team is always looking for volunteers to help with paper recycling, composting, and clean-ups outside school. Please contact Mrs. Feit at dfeit@ridgewood.k12.nj.us for more information on how to volunteer.
• The Ridgewood Public Library has several Teen Volunteering opportunities that all students are encouraged to consider.
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (OLMC) reached to let GWMS know they have four volunteer opportunities that any 7th graders could participate in during the month of April.
• The Ridgewood Social Services Association could use volunteers to stock the pantry.
• The Ridgewood Lacrosse Association is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2nd Grade Clinic starting this March. Details and dates are provided here. For more information please contact Coach Christine Eckels at eckfam5@optonline.net.  
• Girls on the Rise! will be hosting a mentorship event afterschool on Friday, April 28th. The group is looking for 7th grade girls to volunteer for 1-hour to mentor 5th grade girls, or for volunteers to work their Bake Sale. The Google Form to sign up is located here. You may contact 7th Grade student Anoushka Chakraborty for more information: 10achakraborty@ridgewood.k12.nj.us 
• In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, join the 4th Annual "Wellness Walk.” Help raise funds to ensure that affordable and accessible mental health treatment for children, adults and families is available to all who need it! The Walk is on Valley’s indoor track - so the event is rain or shine. Saturday, May 13th, Time: 1 - 4 p.m at Valley Health Lifestyles: 1400 MacArthur Blvd, Mahwah. Cost is  $30 per person to participate or $60 to participate and receive a t-shirt. (See attached flier for more details.)
• Bergen Volunteers serves as the hub of the community’s social welfare network, offering unique services and programs that serve all of Bergen County. Our community programs support youth, families, caregivers, seniors, veterans, those with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged in Bergen County. To see upcoming volunteer opportunities please have a parent/guardian visit the Bergen Volunteers Opportunities webpage. (A parent/guardian will need to create a username + password.)  
• Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children (59 Mill St., Paterson, NJ) is seeking volunteers to make lunches for the students in their Rise and Shine Saturday program. The sign-up page for volunteers is located here. Please contact Joan Guerrero at joan_salubayba@yahoo.com for more information.
• The Ridgewood YMCA's weekly food distribution takes place on Tuesdays after school in the Ridgewood Y parking lot 3-4pm.
• Looking for an opportunity to complete some hours individually without leaving your own neighborhood? Try collecting unused clothing at home or in your neighborhood, then depositing them in the clothing recycling bin located in the GWMS parking lot. (Make sure to get permission from your parents first.)
• Found another really great opportunity to do volunteer work? GO FOR IT! GW 7th graders volunteer with over 100 different organizations each year (not just the ones you hear about from us.) There is no need to ask permission from GWMS to volunteer your time making the world a better place. As long as you have a parent(s)/guardian's permission, you can volunteer with any organization you find. When you log the hours on the Google Form, simply select “OTHER” and enter the name of the organization.

A few important links for students: 

• GW Community Service website. This has everything you need on it, including answers to all the frequently asked questions.
• Google Form to log your hours. You can log hours as you go or you can log them after you have finished all 10; the choice is yours.
• List of local service groups/organizations. You don’t need to volunteer with one of these groups, but these are local groups/organizations that students have used regularly over the years. 

Finally, one question we receive often is “What should I do if I haven’t been contacted by any of the organizations I expressed interest in after the Community Service Assembly?” To clarify, you should not wait to be contacted to start your hours. Some service groups/organizations will reach out to GW and ask us to send a message to interested students when an event comes up. (One example of this is the Ridgewood Special Needs Basketball group.) While one or several of the groups may be in touch between now and May, our advice is to get started on your hours sooner rather than later.

Sincerely,

Mr. Monahan & the GW HSA Community Service Committee