On June 2, Hinsdale Middle School students and staff participated in the school’s 2nd annual SELAS Service Day. SELAS, which stands for Social Emotional Learning for Academic Success, is Community Consolidated School District 181’s curriculum-integrated effort to help students form positive relationships, be understanding and empathetic, and make responsible decisions.
During the Service Day, HMS students packed 54,000 meals under the direction of Feeding Children Worldwide and in partnership with the Hinsdale Rotary Club. Meals will benefit children in Mexico and the Philippines. The sixth, seventh, and eighth graders also read to elementary students, picked up trash at Robbins Park, and spent time at the Hanson Center and The Birches senior center. HMS students additionally sponsored a food drive in collaboration with the Hinsdale-area elementary schools to gather donations that will benefit HCS Family Services and the People’s Resource Center. Also as part of their year-end event, students cleaned out their lockers to gather gently used supplies with the help of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, with supplies being donated in areas of need.A final component of the day was hearing the messages of sixth grade teacher Debby Cornacchia and band director Janelle Sanfillippo, who shared stories about their experiences as volunteers.
The school raised more than $19,000 to support the service projects; remaining funds are being donated to the partner organizations.
