What does it
mean to be a WAVE Leader? Students who
join WAVE Leaders at South Middle School have an opportunity to give to their
community while meeting WAVE Expectations.
WAVE Expectations is the positive behavior and intervention system at
South MS that guides behavior expectations for students in all areas of the
school. Students are taught, retaught
and acknowledged for appropriate behavior by showing: We
are respectful, Always responsible, Very kind, as well as Excited and ready to learn. In joining the WAVE Leaders, students are
able to apply these expectations in an opportunity to serve their
community.
WAVE Leaders
began in the early 2000’s under a different name and at a different building
within GCS. This engaging and valid learning
opportunity for students has evolved to what we need students to know and do
for the 21st Century by building a sense of community through
service. This service learning group was
initially titled the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Club at North School. Principal Maureen McDonough and then teacher
Lisa Maher created this group to help students develop leadership skills and
relationships with those of another generation.
These students were encouraged to build a sense of community through
service and adopting a grandparent. Students
were separated by gender during the activities.
Once a month students were bused to the Brethren Retirement Community. Boys went for breakfast while the girls traveled
over for lunch. Students learned
appropriate manners, served residents, and developed intergenerational
relationships. Students were able to
read to residents, escort them to the fair and walk them around the home as
well as other activities. Students also
met once a month during an extended homeroom to work on arts and crafts to
share with their adopted grandparents.
When North School was consolidated to the current Middle School
system of 5th and 6th grade at South School, the Ladies
and Gentleman’s Club continued their service by walking at least once a month after
school to the BRH as well an additional meeting a month for continued etiquette
activities with arts and crafts. They
also had field trips to local venues such as Fairlawn and Maid Rite to learn
table manners, ordering protocol and other etiquette.
In the last few years, the Ladies and Gentleman’s Club name was
changed to WAVE Leaders continuing with their service vision to after school while
expanding their leadership responsibilities at South MS. Teachers Nancy Person, Nan Hottle, Mindy
Kissinger, Karen Magoteaux and Mary Petry continued with previous activities while
expanding the role of the WAVE Leaders. WAVE
Leader activities include: leadership
for South’s involvement in homecoming activities, escorting parents during
conferences, reading special announcements for holidays, organize activities
for celebrations and work for the betterment of the community.
For the current year, WAVE Leaders will be under the supervision
of teachers Emily McIntyre, Chad Curtis, Tiffany Oswalt and Shannan
Miller. The planned activities this year
include visits to the Brethren Retirement Community every third Thursday of the
month to participate in activities with an adopted grandparent. One example of a monthly activity is reverse
trick or treat. Students will dress up
and pass out treats to the residents.
The residents look forward to this yearly activity and are thrilled to
see the children dressed up in fun outfits.
WAVE Leaders will continue with leadership at the homecoming parade and
spirit week, parent teacher conferences and holiday activities. The sponsors are planning two food bank
drives this year to support the increasing needs in our community. One drive will coordinate with the beginning
of the holiday season this December and the other is scheduled for April. WAVE Leaders will encourage their peers’
participation by organizing a classroom competition.
During the first semester the initial WAVE Leaders are 6th
graders. During the second semester, 5th
graders are invited to join the group allowing the 6th graders an
opportunity to mentor the new members.
The following year the mentored students become the first semester WAVE
Leaders providing trained school wide leadership.
The membership of this service
group has ranged in size from 30 to more than 80 students each year. Many students have continued their volunteer
work at the Brethren Retirement Community beyond their middle school career. Some have continued their education to
include nursing or work in geriatrics based on their experiences in this middle
school service opportunity. Research
supports service learning in the positive development and growth of children.
(http://www.servicelearning.umn.edu/info/benefits.html)
The skills the children learn through their membership in this
group provides lifelong skills of leadership and empathy with others. Students have a greater understanding of
their community and the needs of others as well as their role to make a
difference. As the Civil Liberty Project
from 2002 explains, “the benefit of service learning helps the community but
the greatest benefit is for the individual student”. Children develop self-esteem, a sense of
belonging and a role of responsibility to the larger community in which they
live.
Make sure you recognize WAVE Leaders of South Middle School and
what they give back to the Greenville Community!!
Thanks
to retired teacher and former WAVE Leader supervisor Nancy Person as well as
current teacher and WAVE Leader supervisor Emily McIntyre for their
contributions to this article.