'Service Beyond Self' at the Lower School

At our assembly this past Tuesday, we had the opportunity to speak with the students about “Service Beyond Self” with the following example: Mr. Richard Hightower, our custodian, lost a good sum of money on campus. Mr. McConnell’s third-grade class offered to help look in an area where he had been preparing a flower bed for winter. To no avail, the money was not found. Over the weekend, two students, Lauren Childs and Emma Good, were talking to their parents about what had happened to Mr. Hightower. They asked their parents if they could give him the money saved from their allowance. On Tuesday after lunch, Mr. McConnell brought the girls to my office to give Mr. Hightower the money from their savings. 

To have young students manifest kindness and generosity speaks volumes about them and Darlington School. In our study of Character Education, we learn that there is a three-letter word in “character” that guides our choices - that word is “act.” Students know that this is one of the behaviors that exemplify how we define character. Lauren and Emma were not influenced by any adult nor seeking recognition. We are very proud of them for acting in such a responsible and caring way.

In our quest to put "Service Beyond Self," the Lower School is taking on a project to assist families in Guatemala who are in desperate need of water filtration devices. There are many small villages outside the capital city where the drinking water is contaminated. The villagers use streams to obtain drinking water. For $45, a water filtration system can be set up for each family so they can be healthy. 

Each class is volunteering to raise $45 between now and Feb. 14. The students have been asked to be entrepreneurial in their fund-raising efforts. One of our Lower School families is traveling to Guatemala in March to oversee the installation of some of the water filtration devices. They will return with photos of the families to show the students how their generosity has made a difference. 

For the 100th day of school on Jan. 31, the students will be collecting items to help groups in Rome who are need of soap, canned goods, etc.  This is another opportunity to manifest the meaning of "Service Beyond Self." During our Jan. 31 assembly, a representative from each class will explain their project and how it benefitted others. 

As part of our commitment to educate strong leaders in our community, students are guided by the faculty and staff with values that reinforce the school’s mission. We teach and model by example for our students the importance of living a lifetime by our motto: "Wisdom More Than Knowledge; Service Beyond Self; Honor Above Everything."