The Mount Madonna School (MMS) community honored the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a nationwide day of service on Friday, January 12.
“This year, MMS students and faculty participated in our third annual day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” said upper school director Shannon Kelly. “Service is one of the founding principles of MMS, so it has been wonderful to focus on ways in which we can give back to the school and MMC community. Students from preschool-12th grade contributed in a variety of ways such as creating art pieces for the campus, working on public service announcements about suicide awareness and mental well-being, planting native plants and working on clearing the new space for the eighth grade rite of passage.”
All students from the youngest preschoolers to graduating seniors rolled up their sleeves and pitched in.
“It’s important to put effort in your community to develop ownership, and by beautifying the different areas in which they
spend so much time, our students are investing in their community,” said lower school program director Jessica Cambell.
“The lower school worked with different upper school students on two projects. First was the beautification of the farmhouse area and preschool garden. The students planted donated native plants from Sierra Azul Nursery around the buildings. They also cleaned up the playground and conducted weed removal.”
The students also planted succulents and helped to install stairs on an eroding hillside near the tennis courts.
“The students were really engaged with their projects and invested in making it look the best they could,” Cambell said. “Since then, students have been checking on their plants regularly, which is pretty cute.”
Nestled among the redwoods on 380 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a diverse learning community dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believes a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.