ST. MARTINS, Mo. - When more than 200 students, faculty and staff from St. Martins Elementary School leave their classrooms to line the roadway in silent prayer, it tends to make a significant impact on the grieving families leaving funeral services.
The student council introduced the practice this school year as a way to show respect, said President Ellie Rockers.
Council members also hold up a banner sharing their compassion. The council sent a photo of themselves holding the banner to St. Joseph Cathedral School recently, when that school lost its vice principal.
"It's important to us to be there for our community," Rockers said. "It's not hard for us to stand for them for a few minutes, but it means so much to the families."
This is only one of many ways the St. Martins Student Council has created opportunities for students to give back to the community.
Each month, the council chooses a dress-up theme and a worthy cause for students to donate to in exchange for participating in a dress-down day. The gifts have averaged $130 and have benefited the parish, the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, the St. Raymond's Society and immigration services. Other months, gifts have been given in honor of people or to support local families facing health-crisis expenses.
"It's nice to give somebody the help they need," said Callie Henson.
This year in particular, students have agreed the new principal, Eddie Mulholland, has provided the student council more freedom to try new ideas.
New this year, the student council hosted Muffins for Mom and Donuts for Dad. They also started giving birthday cards with a Bible verse and free meal coupon to parishioners and students.
Also new this year is a petition jar, where students can write private prayer concerns and place them in a jar during chapel, and they have delivered several prayer chains to parishioners who are struggling, allowing each student to write a prayer on a construction paper link.
Annual projects include volunteering at the Samaritan Center and at the school for a spring cleanup. During Catholic Schools Week, the council hosts Friday Bingo for the parish and students. And during Advent, they collect baby items and donations as a Baby Shower for Jesus.
Sponsors like Jill Otto hope these opportunities to lead in generosity will serve the students well throughout their lives.
The student council includes two representatives and two alternates from third through eighth grades, who are elected by their classmates at the beginning of the school year. Three students are elected as officers in the spring for the upcoming year, and a few eighth-graders also serve as representatives for the pre-kindergarten through second-grade classes, keeping them informed on council plans and activities.
"It's important to be able to share what you want your school to be like," said secretary Hayden Moellers.
For example, Henson has developed a "Caught You Doing Good" board to celebrate every day actions of helpfulness.
"We've had so many good things people have done," Henson said. "It's neat to recognize people and kids who are doing good."