Old Rochester Regional High School Hosts Second Annual Community Service Learning Day

More Than 600 Students and Staff Give Back Through Service Projects Across the Tri-Town Community

Old Rochester Regional High School students rake a local veteran’s yard during the school’s Community Service Learning Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are pleased to share that Old Rochester Regional High School hosted its second annual Community Service Learning (CSL) Day on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

More than 600 ORRHS students and staff members spent the half-day before Thanksgiving break engaging in hands-on service projects benefiting local schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups, senior residents, Veterans and public spaces throughout Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

Designed to connect learning with civic engagement, CSL Day allows students to explore community needs, understand the importance of volunteerism, and develop a sense of stewardship for the place they call home.

This year’s projects included campus beautification and gardening; environmental clean-ups at Silvershell Beach, the Mattapoisett Land Trust, and local disc golf areas; along with service at the Mattapoisett Museum and Library; classroom support and programming at Sippican School, Rochester Memorial School, Center School, and other early-childhood centers. Other CSL Day projects involved yard work for veterans; baking and crafting projects; mural work; letter-writing campaigns for Girls Love Mail; card-making for seniors and hospitalized children; CPR and Narcan education; and volunteer contributions to nonprofits like Friends of Jack, Marion Buoys of Hope; Gifts to Give, an organization that provides children’s items and presents to local kids in need.

More than 70 faculty and staff members supervised and collaborated on these projects, guiding students in meaningful CSL experiences across dozens of locations throughout the Tri-Town area. Funding for transportation to the off-campus activities as part of CSL Day was provided by MassHire, the state’s workforce development network.

“Our students’ buoy-painting for Marion Buoys of Hope was a beautiful reminder of what we can accomplish when creativity meets service,” said Assistant Principal Lauren Millette. “Our students showed that service is more than volunteering — it’s using your talents to lift others.”

“This being my first year participating in CSL Day, I was truly inspired by our students as they gave back and worked together, reflecting the relationships that make the tri-town community so special,” said Director of Guidance Christina Cioffi. “Overseeing our Community Collection project as part of CSL Day, you could see students realize how even small individual contributions can add up to a major impact. Students were thoughtful, enthusiastic, and eager to help their neighbors. It was a privilege to guide them.”

“Community Service Learning Day is becoming one of my favorite traditions at ORR because it shows the best of who our students are,” said Principal Michael Devoll. “Seeing hundreds of young people step forward to give back — through physical work, creativity, compassion, and collaboration — reminds us why service is such an important part of education. I’m incredibly proud of the effort our students and staff put into this day. We hope students walk away learning that service is not just a one-day activity, but a lifelong mindset of connection to the community.”

“The entire Tri-Town community benefits when students learn the value of connection, contribution, and civic responsibility,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “We’re grateful to the nonprofit organizations, schools, and other local partners who welcomed our students, and to all of our faculty whose leadership made this day possible. CSL Day continues to grow as a signature example of what makes Old Rochester Regional such an awesome place to live and go to school.”

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ORRHS students hear from a team member at Gifts to Give, a nonprofit in Acushnet that provides donated essentials and gifts to local children, before starting their volunteer work on Community Service Learning Day sorting and preparing donated items for children in need. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

Old Rochester Regional High School students volunteer making packages for Knitting for Good, alongside World Language Department Coordinator Steven Bernardo, left, during Community Service Learning Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

Old Rochester Regional High School students volunteer at Sippican Elementary School, assisting younger students with classroom activities during Community Service Learning Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55) 

Old Rochester Regional High School students plant 125 daffodil bulbs and 25 tulip bulbs donated by the Mattapoisett Land Trust during Community Service Learning Day. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, right, volunteered at the Cuerd@s workshop, joining students creating sensory embroidered handkerchiefs that are given to community members experiencing mental health challenges. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)