Each year at Hall Middle School, we encourage our children to participate in community service activities. Some of these take place on the Hall campus (the Chalk Festival, the Warm Clothing Drive, the Adopt-a-Family program) others are available through organizations and activities around the county (see the back of this letter) or through the ingenuity of individual students as they find ways to serve their community.

Participating in community service isn't mandatory at Hall Middle School. However, 5th graders who choose to perform five hours, as well as 6th & 7th grade students who choose to perform eight hours of service per school year are eligible for membership on the Community Service Honor Roll. They will receive a certificate at the end-of-the-year assembly. Eighth graders who perform twelve hours of service during the year will receive special recognition on their diplomas. All students who meet these requirements will be thanked for their efforts at an ice cream social at the end of the year. In order to receive service credits, students need to turn in a completed and signed Community Service Hours Slip to the Hall office after each event.
(Community Service Hours Slips are located in the office.)

Credit is offered for a wide variety of activities:

• School sponsored events
• Service at non-profit organizations
• Civic and scouting projects
• Environmental clean-ups
• Neighbor-to-neighbor (helping others one-on-one)
• Quest Projects (7th graders)
• Other service contributions

Hours are not awarded for paid work, household chores, babysitting siblings, or participating in school concerts and plays.

Parents will be notified of Hall-sponsored events and other opportunities in the Weekly Bulletin. If you have any information regarding a service opportunity, feel free to announce it in the Bulletin or call the Community Service Chairperson. We look forward to a spirited and creative community service effort!

Vanitha Sampath, Gloria Hood and Suzanne Lawton
Community Service Program Committee Members

PROJECTS: Hall Middle School Students Making a Difference

Warm Clothing Drive (Sponsered by Ritter House):  Warm clothes were collected at the school during the week of Oct 30th to Nov 3rd at Hall Middle School  and given to families in need for winter.
— View Photos of the Warm Clothing Drive
— Visit Ritter Center’s website

Twin Cities Co-op:  Halloween Carnival on Oct 28, 2006 from 10AM to 2PM. Students attended in costume and assisted with Carnival.

This a brief list of the volunteer opportunity ideas for Hall Middle School Students.  We are constantly updating the list.  Please email communityservice@hallpta.org if you know of volunteer opportunities that can be added to this list.

Center for Volunteer and nonprofit leadership of Marin
Links volunteers with opportunities.  Check out their web site for more information.

Audubon Center & Sanctuary
Volunteer with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, garden work, bay Greenbrae

Marin Humane Society
Join the animal care club for 5th and 6th Grades or the Roots & Shoots program for 7th and eight graders.  These are popular programs and usually have a waiting list.

Marin Wildcare
This is another popular program with waiting lists. The spring program is full but their summer program 2007 may still have spaces.  Students have to be 12 years of age.

Marin Conservation Corps
Have fun, make friends while learning and helping the environment. 

Save A Bunny

Novato Human Needs Center
Novato Human Needs Center provides comprehensive support services for low-income individuals and families, including emergency food, housing/financial assistance, counseling, education, and more.

Marin Community Food Bank
Sort food and assist with holiday food drive

Lifehouse
Assist developmentally disabled clients: bowling, make-up parties, ‘holiday party, spring dance performance & more opportunities.

Others
Check with local libraries, preschools and retirement homes to see if they need assistance.