Monroe Local eighth graders present service-learning projects ranging from letters to military families to donated books

Eighth-grade students at Monroe Junior High presented a summary of service-learning projects during the board meeting on May 19, describing a multi-step process that included team-building, goal-setting, implementation and reflection.

Superintendent Buskirk and junior-high staff introduced the group. Mr. Stanger (presenting staff) said teachers offered project choices and students ranked their top three; staff then placed students into project teams (called "hives"). Mrs. Boggs, identified in the meeting as "eighth grade social studies teacher" and the district's incoming dean of students for grades 7'12, outlined the project procedures and praised students for their work.

Students described each hive's project and results: - Nutrition and healthy-living work led by Ms. Keneally (students reviewed nutrition labels and discussed food chemicals). - Letters to military families, led by Mr. Hyde; students said they wrote a total of 35 letters to families of servicemembers. - Interviews with community members; students compiled stories from local staff including Shannon Kelly (varsity cheer coach) and Casey Popwell (varsity basketball coach). - Children's books written and illustrated for Cincinnati Children's Hospital, coordinated by Mrs. Decker. - Locker recognition for extracurricular participants, led by Ms. Wiley. - Bulletin-board projects adding inspirational art and a "Take 1, Leave 1" board, described by student leaders. - Bilingual inspirational quotes created by the Spanish teacher's hive to increase inclusivity. - Campus cleanup projects, including trophy-case cleaning, led by Mr. Longyear.

Student presenters who were named in the meeting included Alyssa Verbois, Brinley McIntyre, Ariana Turco, Jack Nuremberg and Anya Santucci; staff credited Mrs. Boggs and Mr. Stanger with coordinating the presentations.

Why this matters The projects were framed as student leadership and citizenship development during a short daily block; students reported concrete outputs (for example, 35 letters and donated books) and completed public presentations to the board as part of their reflection and assessment.

Next steps Staff said they will continue the hive model next year under Mrs. Boggs' expanded role and incorporate the projects into ongoing service-learning and school-community outreach efforts.