SM Students Give Back

Reading, writing, and… urban planning? This spring, the entire Lakeview Elementary student body took a deep dive into the status of Everbrite property – now a mostly empty field two blocks away.

“The entire school, from 4K to fifth grade, has a chance to share what they think should go onto these 33 acres of lakefront property,” Principal Chris Sepersky said. Students are touring the site, learning about the ins and outs of redevelopment from city representatives and architectural firms, and studying the history of the area to explore the possibilities for the property.

Sepersky said the entire project was about growing from those initial off-the-cuff ideas to really well thought out and informed visions of what they want to see in their neighborhood.

Recently, Lakeview students held a community presentation of their ideas for the site. Their ideas ranged from everything from a homeless shelter to a community college to sustainable urban farming.

“We want our students to be engaged with their community. In a real sense, they’re participating in and contributing to a South Milwaukee conversation about that land. Our students are learning how to invest themselves in the design thinking process as well as invest themselves in what will be in their own neighborhood and benefit their own children and grandchildren." Sepersky said. 

Gifts for Rocket - Donations for Homeless Pets

Usually, you’re not allowed to play with a ball in Lakeview Elementary School’s library. But for this almost-two-year-old, the rules were bent. It also helps that he’s an officer of the law. 

Rocket, the South Milwaukee Police Department K-9 Unit, was at the school because the student council had a toy drive – tennis balls for Rocket, toys for local shelter dogs. 

“Part of student council is learning to help your community,” Student Council Advisor and library paraprofessional Angela LaRue said. “And this is an opportunity to help the community and help our local K-9.” 

Rocket, and his partner, SMPD Officer Edwards, were beaming at the sight of the donations. “It’s his favorite toy in the whole wide world. I want to show a lot of gratitude that they raised those toys without anyone asking,” Edwards said. 

Rocket himself is on the force because of donations throughout the community – including from South Milwaukee schools. All four of the elementary schools had a penny war (a competition to see who could raise more funds) to help the city pay for Rocket and his training. 

Giving back– whether by fundraising or through community service – is an important part of being a South Milwaukee student. It’s an important part of being part of our city and teaching students what it means to be engaged citizens. 

It’s not always about collecting items, though the whole district collected more than 6,500 items for a November food drive, sometimes it’s about spreading good will. In December Blakewood students made Kindness Snowflakes - paper snowflakes with encouraging messages on them. These handmade paper treasures were then delivered to Pick N Save and put into grocery bags for shoppers.

Art for Our Senior Citizens and Those Battling Cancer

E. W. Luther students, led by the student council, used their artistic skills to create placemats for senior citizens and delivered meals to homebound seniors and disabled neighbors.

For the past eight years, Rawson teacher William Gaynor and his students have packed “Cancer Boxes” – notes of encouragement (to patients with cancer) and examples of their artwork. 

"Somebody else is having a worse day than (the students) are and that's what it's all about making somebody else's day better," Gaynor told WTMJ4 in a story about his work.

Giving Back to Belong

At the Middle School, students spent six months during Home Base (their version of homeroom) working on community service projects called “Rocket Resolutions.”

“We did a project partnering with the Humane Society,” Eighth Grader Chance said. “We put up a bunch of posters advertising about adopting at the Humane Society. … I think we actually got a few pets adopted!”

 Vince Farina, the school’s social and emotional learning coordinator, said the projects stemmed from a survey of middle schoolers that indicated many felt they needed to feel they belonged at the school. 

“They might have friends and people they talk to, but in terms of being a South Milwaukee rocket and what that means, they didn’t really feel connected,” Farina said. 

“So last year our team decided that we wanted to build a project that would help the kids learn what community is, what communities they are a part of and learn how to be a responsible member of a community.” 

At the high school, there are a variety of ways to give back, from Caroling for Cans with Apollo Jazz in the winter, to taking care of teachers’ outdoor plants in the greenhouse with SMGreen. Perhaps the most noticeable volunteers out in the community, however, are students from the National Honor Society. 

“National Honor Society is a group of students who have not only performed well academically, but they also have met the expectations of good character, good leadership, and service,” NHS co-advisor James Grassl said. 

Joseph, a senior, said the Veterans Day ceremony is one of the biggest events the National Honor Society volunteers at all year. 

“I think that it hits close to home for teachers, staff, and family, because (almost) everyone has veteran in their family” he said. 

“Really getting to see these veterans come from across the state and get to honor them on that one day is definitely a good community experience.”