Dear CHES Families,

We’re excited to share that our school-wide service learning campaign is already underway and is a great way for us to continue living out what it means to be a Lighthouse School! Through this initiative, students are finding ways to use the 7 Habits to make a difference at home and in their own neighborhoods.

From helping a neighbor to organizing a cleanup, students are taking initiative, setting goals, and working with their families to put leadership, responsibility, and kindness into action.

We encourage you to keep supporting your child as they think of ways to serve others. You’ll find more details and ideas in the following pages to help your family get involved.

Thank you for being such an important part of this journey! Your support helps us build a culture where leadership and service are part of who we are at CHES. We can’t wait to see the difference our students continue to make!

Dear CHES Families,

We’re excited to share that our school-wide service learning campaign is already underway and is a great way for us to continue living out what it means to be a Lighthouse School! Through this initiative, students are finding ways to use the 7 Habits to make a difference at home and in their own neighborhoods.

From helping a neighbor to organizing a cleanup, students are taking initiative, setting goals, and working with their families to put leadership, responsibility, and kindness into action.

We encourage you to keep supporting your child as they think of ways to serve others. You’ll find more details and ideas in the following pages to help your family get involved.

Thank you for being such an important part of this journey! Your support helps us build a culture where leadership and service are part of who we are at CHES. We can’t wait to see the difference our students continue to make!

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Carpenter Hill Elementary �Service Learning 2026-2027�

Leading to inspire LIGHTHOUSE values!

There are TWO ways you can help us achieve our service learning goals and shine a spotlight on the amazing leadership at CHES! The more you serve, the more you help create a leadership culture in our community.

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These are just some suggestions. Any opportunity to donate your time can count as volunteer hours. Volunteering helps us leave a LEGACY!!

LOCAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS IN CENTRAL TEXAS

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Selfless Service Log

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selfless / sel-fles / (adjective) thinking of others before yourself

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service / sur-vis /(noun) an act of helpful activity

Name __________________________

Grade __________________

Teacher ____________________________

Total Number of Service Projects:

Please return this log to the box outside the office (on red table).

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Logs turned in by the end of each month will be recognized as Lighthouse Leaders at next month’s Habit Assembly.

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For every service learning hour completed, your name will move closer to our campus lighthouse in the cafeteria.

Last log will be accepted April 30^th 2027.

Carpenter Hill Elementary

SELFLESS SERVICE IDEAS FOR KIDS

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-Read a book to a small child that is not in your family.

-Write a kind note to a neighbor or friend and leave it on their front door.

-Pull the trash can and recycle can up for a neighbor.

-Smile at 3 random people in one day to make their day brighter.

-Write a thank you note to someone in the military or a first responder.

-Donate old clothes.

-Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog.

-Make cards & cookies for your local fire department and take it to them.�-Make cookies for your neighbors.�-Make homeless kits with hand warmers, socks, toothbrush/toothpaste, water, snacks, deodorant and pass them out when you have the opportunity.�-Make cards for residents of a local nursing home.�-Buy the person in the car line behind you coffee.�-Go on a hike and bring a trash bag with you. Pick up trash as you hike.�-Donate goodies to Operation Shoe Box.�-Find your teacher’s classroom wish list and buy an item to donate.�-Give 5 random people compliments.�-Leave $5 H-E-B gift cards on your trash can and your recycle can at the curb on trash pick-up day for the trash & recycling collectors.�-Paint kindness rocks and leave them throughout the neighborhood.�-Make simple reading or math flash cards for a younger child.�-Collect children's books for the needy.

-Run or walk in a charity race with friends.

-Practice Random Acts of Kindness.

-Cheer up a sick friend or family member with a visit or phone call.

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Can The Hunger

What? October is a month long canned food drive to collect food to donate.

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When? We will collect nonperishable food items to help stock a local food pantry and provide meals for families in need. Our goal is to come together as a school community to fight hunger and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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Why? Hunger affects many families in our community, and even a small donation can make a big difference. By collecting non perishable food, we can help provide families with the food they need while showing kindness and care for our community.

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Where? Each class will have a designated spot for weekly collections.

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How? Collect cans all month long.

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Optional Weekly Challenges:

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Can The Hunger

This month, we will be collecting food for those in need in our community. We will collect cans and nonperishable food items.

Hunger affects many families in our community, and even a small donation can make a big difference. By collecting non perishable food, we can help provide families with the food they need while showing kindness and care for our community.

Please send donations to school for your child to drop in their class collection bin. Thank you for showing your child the importance of serving their community.

Food COLLECTION DATES:

October 1-29

Thankful Hearts

What?� A gratitude project is a simple and meaningful way to show appreciation by creating thank-you cards for first responders and community helpers who serve and protect our community.

When?� Hosting the Gratitude Project in November gives students an opportunity to reflect on the people who help others every day and share kindness during the season of gratitude.

Why?� First responders and community helpers work hard to keep our communities safe, healthy, and supported. A handwritten thank-you card is a small gesture that can make them feel appreciated and remind them that their service matters.

Where?� Each class will have a designated area or container for completed cards. Cards can be collected in the front office before being delivered to local first responders and community helpers.

How?� Students will create handwritten thank-you cards expressing their gratitude to firefighters, police officers, EMTs, healthcare workers, teachers, and other community helpers. Teachers can provide paper and supplies, and students can personalize each card with drawings, messages, and words of encouragement.

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Thankful Hearts

This month, we will be hosting “Thankful Hearts,” a gratitude project where students will create thank-you cards for first responders and community helpers.

First responders and community helpers work hard every day to keep our community safe, healthy, and supported. A simple handwritten card can brighten someone’s day and remind them how much their service and dedication are appreciated.

Please have your child create a heartfelt thank-you card to bring to school and place in their class collection. Thank you for helping your child learn the importance of gratitude, kindness, and serving those who make a difference in our community!

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CARD COLLECTION DATES:

November 2-20

Spread the Cheer

What?� Spread the Cheer is a giving project designed to collect new toys, books, and winter items to help bring joy and comfort to families in need during the holiday season.

When?� Promote this project in December so donations can be collected and delivered to local families before the holidays.

Why?� The holiday season can be difficult for families who may be struggling to provide gifts and winter essentials for their children. By donating new toys, books, and winter items, we can help make the holidays brighter and remind families that their community cares about them.

Where?� Set up a school-wide collection area in the front office, with additional collection spots available in individual classrooms or grade levels.

How?� Ask students and families to donate new toys, books, coats, blankets, hats, gloves, or other winter items. Donations can be collected throughout the month and delivered to a local organization or families in need before the holidays.

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Spread The Cheer

For our December CHES service project, we’ll be hosting “Spread the Cheer,” a giving project to help bring joy and comfort to families in need this holiday season.

For some families, the holidays can be a challenging time, especially when it comes to providing gifts and warm winter essentials for their children. By donating new toys, books, and winter items, we can help make the holidays a little brighter and show families in our community that they are cared for.

Your family can send new toys, books, coats, blankets, hats, gloves, or other winter items to school to add to our campus collection. Thank you for showing your child the importance of generosity, serving others, and spreading holiday cheer throughout our community!

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COLLECTION DATES:

December 1-18

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Kindness Rocks

What?� Kindness Rocks is a campus service project designed to spread positivity and encouragement throughout our school and community through hand-painted rocks with uplifting messages.

When?� January 6-29, 2027

Why?� The beginning of a new year is a great time to focus on kindness and positivity. A simple encouraging message can brighten someone’s day, remind them they are valued, and inspire others to spread kindness too.

Where?� Set up a school-wide or grade-level collection spot where students can turn in their decorated kindness rocks.

How?� Encourage students and families to decorate small rocks with positive words, encouraging messages, or cheerful designs. Rocks can be created at home or at school and collected throughout the month before being placed around campus or in an approved community space to spread kindness.

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Kindness Rocks

For our January CHES service project, we will be creating Kindness Rocks to spread encouragement, positivity, and joy throughout our school and community.

The start of a new year is a wonderful time to focus on kindness and remind others that they are valued and cared for. A simple message of encouragement can brighten someone’s day, lift their spirits, and inspire them to pass kindness along to others.

We encourage students and families to decorate small rocks with positive words, uplifting messages, or cheerful designs. Thank you for encouraging your child to embrace the value of kindness and for helping us make a positive impact, one rock at a time!

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January 6-29

COLLECTION DATES:

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Puppy Love

What? Puppy Love is a pet supply drive dedicated to supporting pets in shelters and foster care. The drive collects essential items such as food, toys, bedding, and more to help improve the lives of these animals. All donations will be delivered to PAWS Animal Shelter to assist in their mission of caring for and finding homes for pets in need.

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When? February 2-26

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Why? Donations will help pets in shelters and foster care get the supplies they need to stay healthy, happy, and comfortable while they await adoption. Whether it’s a soft blanket or a toy to play with, every item helps improve their quality of life and makes them feel loved.

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Where? Campus drop-off locations

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How? We're asking all families to donate new or gently used pet supplies such as food, toys, bedding, leashes, collars, and more.

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Optional Weekly Challenges:

-”Teacher’s Pet” students that donate the most items can earn lunch or free time with the teacher

-Classes with the most donations can earn the “Top Dog” award.

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Puppy Love

COLLECTION DATES:

February 2-26

Our CHES February service learning project is a pet supply drive to support the PAWS Animal Shelter by providing essential items for pets waiting for their fur-ever homes.

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Your family can help by donating new or very gently used pet supplies such as food, toys, bedding, leashes, collars, and more. All types of pet supplies are welcome - including those for dogs, cats, and other small animals. Drop boxes will be located in the front foyer.

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We encourage all families to get involved and embrace the spirit of service learning. Let’s come together to show our love for animals, helping them stay healthy, happy, and comfortable while they await adoption.

Kindness In A Bag

What?� Our Community Appreciation project is a campus service project designed to show gratitude to the people who help make our school a wonderful place every day. Students will create small gift bags and thank-you notes for our custodians, bus drivers, SRO officer, cafeteria staff, and other school support staff.

When?� March 1 –28

Why?� Our school staff work hard each day to keep our campus safe, clean, welcoming, and running smoothly. This project gives students an opportunity to recognize their hard work and let them know how much they are appreciated.

Where?� Gift bags and thank-you notes can be collected at designated locations throughout campus.

How?� Encourage families to donate small, individually packaged treats or useful items to include in the gift bags. Students can also create handwritten thank-you notes to add to each bag, helping make each gift personal and meaningful.

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Kindness In A Bag

COLLECTION DATES:

March 1-31

Our CHES service learning project for March is “Kindness in a Bag,” a special opportunity to show appreciation for the amazing people who help our school community every day! We will be creating small gift bags for our custodians, bus drivers, SRO officer, cafeteria staff, and other school staff to let them know how much we appreciate all they do.

We encourage your family to participate by donating small items to help fill our gift bags. Ideas include individually wrapped snacks, candy, gum, drink mixes, coffee or tea packets, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, or other small treats. Students are also encouraged to create handwritten thank-you notes or drawings to add a personal touch to each bag.

Thank you for helping us show our school staff how much they mean to our CHES community. Together, we can fill each bag with a little kindness and a whole lot of appreciation! 💛

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Beautify our CHES Community

What? Campus and community clean-up in honor of Earth Day

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When? CHES Operation: Green & Clean

Saturday, April 24th, 11:00-12:00

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Why? Students and families can come together to show their school spirit and make a meaningful difference for our planet. By teaming up, they'll help keep both our school and community clean and beautiful, while celebrating Earth Day through real action!

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Where? Carpenter Hill and around the community

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How? Encourage families to take pride in our school and help keep CHES looking beautiful by participating in this important event!

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Optional Weekly Challenges:

-The class with the most participation can earn extra recess, etc.

-Offer to sign students’ volunteer logs if they participate

-Students who participate can have their names entered into a drawing for a special prize

Beautify our CHES Community

CHES Operation: Green & Clean

Saturday April 24, 2027

Get ready for a fun and impactful event! Our CHES service learning project for April is a day dedicated to cleaning up and beautifying our school. In celebration of Earth Day, we’re hosting "CHES Operation: Green & Clean" on

Saturday, April 26th from 11:00 to 12:00.

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We invite the whole family to join us in showing school spirit and making a lasting impact on our planet. Wear comfy clothes, bring a water bottle, and come ready with a positive attitude and a love for our school community!

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Can't join us that day? No worries! If you can’t make it to the school, you can still take part by cleaning up your neighborhood or local park throughout the month of April. Grab a trash bag, take a walk, and help make our whole community greener and cleaner in celebration of Earth Day!

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Volunteer Log

Carpenter Hill Elementary

volunteer /ˌvälənˈtir/: (verb)

spending some of your time helping others

Name ___________________________

Grade __________________

Teacher ____________________________

Find a good cause to donate your time to. Food banks, schools, parks, benefits, nursing homes, etc.

Other suggestions on the back.

Total Hours Volunteered:

Please return this log to the box outside the office (on the red table) with a minimum of ONE volunteer hour.

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Logs turned in by the end of each month will be awarded certificates and announced on the morning announcements.

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Golden Horseshoes will be earned for each hour of volunteering and will be posted outside the student’s homeroom class.

Last log will be accepted April 30^th 2025.