George School students, faculty, and staff will spend Monday, January 16, 2012 in service to local communities to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King encouraged people from all walks of life to come together to address important community issues. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing to help others?” he said.

To respond to Dr. King’s challenge, George School organized service opportunities at thirty-two sites throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County, and New Jersey, working with the Philadelphia King Day of Service program. Students will participate in projects which include food preparation, environmental service, administrative duties, clean-ups, sorting clothes, arts and crafts, working with horses, and working in retirement communities. Some will travel to Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton. Others will participate in service projects on campus.

“We want our students to take the time to recognize individuals of principle like Dr. King, to have opportunities to reflect on the meaning of their lives and actions, and to be of service themselves, because our students will be the next generation of leaders in our world,” said Head of School Nancy Starmer.

This year’s King Day of Service is part of a newly restructured program that rotates service, student-initiated programs, faculty-initiated programs, and workshops with outside presenters over a four-year period. George School’s Diversity Oversight Committee, which consists of board members, faculty, staff and parents, developed the new program based on the results of a poll conducted last winter. Planning for the 2012 King Day of Service began in September by an ad hoc group formed from the Diversity Oversight Committee members.

“The entire George School community has been involved in the planning,” said Steven Fletcher, a George School teacher and member of the King Day of Service planning committee. “Everyone has been an amazing help by offering their time and resources.” Steven added that Kampus Klothes subsidized the cost of the t-shirts the student volunteers will wear as they perform service on Monday.

“George School is known for its service initiatives. This day of service is a great way for us to get to know our community,” said Steven. “And what better way to do that than on Martin Luther King Day.”

The King Day of Service will conclude with meeting for worship, where students will reflect on the day.

About George School
Founded in 1893 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), George School, a rigorous coed boarding and day school for grades nine through twelve, educates students from eighteen states, forty foreign countries, and a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. Through its commitment to diversity and the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and peacemaking, George School inspires students to be led by their own truths while respecting and appreciating opinions and beliefs different from their own. George School was one of the first schools in the United States to implement an International Baccalaureate diploma program. For information about admission, please call 215.579.6547 or visit georgeschool.org.