Exciting programs and initiatives:
– The United sports program- Involving 13 children
from our towns with physical and intellectual differences and over 20 high school students from Gardner, and Winchendon in The Winchendon School as volunteer buddies.
– Community dinners, the first Monday of every month. Our first community dinner in October was a huge success with the largest turnout yet of over 50 people. Many of homework familiar faces that we were so happy to see from last year.
– Partnership and programs with the public elementary schools to do after school tutoring and special programs such as theater for change which is also in collaboration with the Bieals Memorial Library.
– We now have four separate groups dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Only two years ago when the program started we did not have any. I think this is a true testament to the culture in our school and a strong sense of community that allows students to express themselves and empower each other around identity, dialogue and culture.
– Our environmental education program is founded in very strong collaboration with the town of Winchendon School to build trails at Ingleside as well as the Miller’s River watershed council to help them expand their impact in Winchendon community.
– The student leadership component of our Service Learning program has only grown stronger. Despite more rigorous expectations and greater responsibility, we have had an increase of students who apply and become service learning leaders.
– The focus of our servicing topics are a true partnership between the interest of our students and the real needs in our community. A great example of this is the addiction and mental health group founded by students who are passionate about addressing the serious problems of The current opioid crisis which is one of the most priorities of our local government, healthcare, and law-enforcement officials.