Black River sophomore Monique and junior Velma were a little nervous about their next school assignment. "I really didn't know what to expect. They might be rude, mean, or even crazy," commented Velma.

The two students, as part of a schoolwide community volunteering project, were going to work with senior citizens at Valley Medical Center. Monique described the day as full of activities including playing games, singing, dancing and visiting with the elderly. "Sometimes, people just want others to pay attention to them. I think that's what some of them wanted," said Monique. "It's fun to work with older people. My mom is a nurse and I think I could do it too."

Velma changed her mind at the end of the day. She said, "They were cute and nice. Even though we played a game and they can still be competitive, the showed sportsmanship."

Wednesday, September 29, Black River students participated in a variety of volunteer projects coordinated by staff members. Volunteer projects included work at Kubota Gardens, Wetland Plant Cooperative, Emergency Feeding Program Warehouse, Good Shepherd Lutheran Home Thrift Store, Renton Parks Maintenance Department, yard clean up for seniors, Marymour Park dog park, and tutoring elementary students. These activities culminated the first six-week session at the school which focused on the community.

Students needed to research a community problem related to one of the volunteer projects that they could sign up for. Those students who worked at the feeding warehouse research the problems of hunger; those who helped to build a stroll garden for the disabled at Kubota Gardens studied the issues of people with disabilities or explored science concepts. Each volunteer project combined aspects of science, history, language arts, math and more.

Black River Principal Kathleen Bailey said that students "dug into the assignment" because it empowered them to do something for the community. "When the students left the building that day to do their volunteer service, there was not one negative word. They knew they could make a difference."

Bailey also believes the projects helped to build staff and student relationships as well as strengthening the schools ties to the community. "It provided an opportunity for students to positively impact and contribute to Renton."