Students at Kyrene Middle School (KMS) came together for a single day of service that will make an impact both here at home and around the world. From packing hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness to preparing meals for children in other countries, students proved that service knows no boundaries.

Between the morning bell and afternoon dismissal on Friday, November 14, KMS students took part in nearly 20 service projects designed to develop global citizenship, empathy and community engagement. Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade worked with organizations such as the United Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children and the Arizona Humane Society.

Their participation was part of KMS’s inaugural IB Day of Service, giving students a chance to put the values of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program into action. This was Kyrene Middle School’s first year participating in the statewide event, which is in its fifth year.

"IB is about cultivating thoughtful, compassionate citizens," KMS Principal Scott Maxwell said. "The Day of Service allows students to translate those principles into tangible action, whether supporting their immediate community or contributing to causes around the world."

One group of students put those philosophies into action at Feed My Starving Children, where they packed enough meals to serve 256 children for one year. For 8th grade student William, the experience left a lasting impression.

“It’s a great opportunity to preserve some of our humanity across the globe, and for us to be giving back to those in our community who aren’t as fortunate,” William said.

At the United Food Bank, students and staff focused on helping those facing food insecurity closer to home by preparing more than 1,500 food boxes that will serve individuals and families across the Valley.

Meanwhile, back at KMS, the campus buzzed with activity as students tackled a variety of projects that directly benefited their own community. Some groups read to younger students at C.I. Waggoner, the adjoining elementary school, while others took part in campus beautification projects. Outdoor areas and classrooms held activities that included helping clean and maintain staff vehicles, making friendship bracelets for peers, weaving rugs for Gathering Humanity and packing food bags for KMS families.

The school-wide effort made true the saying “many hands make light work,” with one student witnessing the benefits of collaboration firsthand.

“My team was able to pack 72 food bags in 15 minutes,” 7th grade student Myra said. “I learned that when you’re all working as a community, it goes way faster.”

While the pillars of the IB Middle Years Programme are integrated across subjects and electives at KMS, the program’s success isn’t measured by grades or assessments alone. It is also reflected in students’ ability to think critically, collaborate and engage with the broader community—just as they did during the Day of Service.

"What impressed me most this first year wasn’t just the number of projects, but how thoughtfully students approached each one," Maxwell said. "They weren’t just checking boxes. They were thinking about the people they were helping, and that’s exactly the kind of engagement IB aims to foster. Next year, we hope to deepen that impact even further."
 

All in all, Kyrene Middle School students participated in the following activities:

Food Insecurity

• Packed Food Bags for KMS Families
• Packed Food Bags at United Food Bank
• Packed Food Bags with Feed My Starving Children 

Animal Welfare

• Learned about Animal Advocacy and Care at the Arizona Humane Society

Peer / Student Support

• Read to Elementary School Students at C.I. Waggoner
• Made Friendship Bracelets for Peers
• Created Sensory Friendly Spirit Shakers

Humanitarian Service

• Created Affirmation Journals, Bookmarks and Rugs for Gathering Humanity to go to Child Refugees

Staff Appreciation

• Completed Basic Car Maintenance on Staff Vehicles
• Wrote Thank You Notes to KMS Staff

Campus Beautification

• Created IB and PBIS Posters for School to Increase Visibility
• Cleaned and Reorganized the Media Center
• Painted and Cleaned the Backstage of the MPR
• Created Games for Students to Practice Skills
• Cleaned and Organized the Fitness Center
• Cleaned and Organized the Display Case in the Lobby
• Cleaned Trophies
• Took Yearbook Photos to Document the Day

Community Belonging

• Wrote Cards for Senior Citizens