This past Monday, Benchmark School held our inaugural Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Several teachers hosted the day, the centerpiece of which was three activities for students and families to have a “day on” rather than a “day off.”
More than 50 students, siblings, alumni, and parents took part, representing every grade in the school. Many Benchmark teachers also volunteered their time to help the day run smoothly. Kicking off the day with a welcome to everyone, Mrs. Mattaliano, Miss Ortale, and Ms. Scott shared the theme of the day with a quote from Dr. King: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
Breaking into three groups, the volunteers:
- Created cards for medical professionals and first responders in the Benchmark community to thank them for their heroic efforts keeping us safe and healthy.
- Recorded books to share with Easterseals for preschool and kindergarten-aged children who are learning remotely this year. Students chose books that were their favorites or that they thought young children might enjoy; all read with enthusiasm and were careful to show illustrations as they read!
- Hosted Zoom chats with six residents aged 76 to 95 at The Hill at Whitemarsh. Kids and seniors shared their pets, favorite things, and laughed together.
Sixth grader Lili Ann Kennedy, who took part in the Zoom chat with seniors, said, "I enjoyed the MLK service day visiting with seniors. It was nice to hear their stories. It made me feel good and reminded me of my Nana.”
We’d like to thank and honor the following student participants and their families who participated in this meaningful Day of Service:
Evie Bartholdson, 5th
Hudson Berger and sister, 2nd
Will Biscardi, 6th
Andrew Blum, 8th
Agnes Brion, 1st
Finn Duffy (and his brothers), 5th
Eliza Flaherty, 5th
Arianna and Claire Frantz, 9th & 5th
Joshua Fulmer, 6th
Angelina Georgiou, 5th
Brady Greenberg, 7th
Cassie Hanway, 5th
Tim Hanway, 7th
Malcolm Kamau, 5th
Bryce Kash, 4th
Lili Ann Kennedy, 6th
Annie Kinsella, 3rd
Zev Levin, 6th
Dillon Locher, 5th
Miles Mader, 7th
Samone Martin and father, 1st
Zach Mattaliano, 4th
Chris McHugh, 5th
Jayden McHugh, 6th
Skyler Murray, 3rd
Alex Peter, 4th
Penelope Prinbeck and brother, 4th
Sam Rahm, alum
Sam Ryan and sister, 4th
Jacob Siegel, 3rd
Beau Spagnuolo and mother, 5th
Sam Sylvester, 6th
Issie Templeton and mother, 1st
Jewel Trayah, 3rd
Charis Whalley, 3rd
Daniel Zabar, 3rd