Community Service

Community Service Program Pingry considers its community service program an integral part of the school’s educational philosophy and curriculum. The development of character and integrity and the building of self-confidence are essential goals of the school. Volunteers often receive as many benefits from these experiences as those who are served. Short Hills Campus Building character is at the forefront of the Lower School experience. Although there is not a specific time requirement for each student, all Lower School students are expected to participate in class and whole-school community service projects that occur several times per school year. Buddy classes also spend time working on community service projects together.  Read the activity summary for 2006-2007.
Martinsville Campus The community service program provides each student with the opportunity to share his or her time and resources with others. A myriad of projects, both individual and group oriented, are offered throughout the year. It is, however, the responsibility of each student to plan his or her volunteer service. Every student is required to complete 10 hours of service by May 31 of each academic year. A student may serve a maximum of three hours of service to the Pingry community and may serve all of the required 10 hours in summer volunteer work. Each student is also responsible for submitting their hours to the online community service database. Special Note for Seniors All seniors must complete their community service requirement before beginning their Independent Study Project (ISP). Additionally, all seniors must complete their community service obligation in order to graduate. Dress Down Days Pingry campus dress-down days are student-driven fundraisers in which the students, faculty, and staff pay a predetermined fee for the privilege of dressing outside of the prescribed dress code. Students are encouraged to raise money for the charity of their choice, and often the organizations to benefit are those in which the student and his or her family are already involved. Recent Activities Breast Cancer awareness/Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund School wide “Pink Day.” Students on the Upper School campus pay a dollar to wear pink and get a breast cancer ribbon made by grade 6 & 7 students. The Lower School dressed in pink and had a group photo taken that was then made into mouse pads that were sold. (Ongoing) Bridges Inc. Students hand out clothes and food to people in need in Newark, NJ and New York City. Students also help run children's birthday parties in Irvington on designated Friday nights and Saturday mornings throughout the year. (Ongoing) Children’s Specialized Hospital Students visit and socialize with the young patients. (Ongoing) Community Food Bank of New Jersey The Middle and Upper Schools participated in sorting canned and household goods and collating and sorting a mass mailing. (Ongoing) ECLC Once a week several students visit ECLC and assist with after school activities. (Ongoing). Drama classes worked with ECLC in Chatham to role play job-related situations to allow the ECLC students to practice resolutions. (Ongoing) Girls Learn International Dress down day. (December 2005) The Great Tag-In A modification of the Great Wrap-In of previous years, toys for all ages were donated along with a handmade card to Lift for Learning. (December 2005) Kids Cancer Research Foundation Several fund raising efforts were conducted to support this organization that was established in memory of Lisa Malchow ‘03, a Pingry alumna who succumbed to cancer last year. (Ongoing) Lift for Learning Several hundred pounds of canned food was collected at the Martinsville campus to be distributed through Lift for Learning to families in need in Hillside, Irvington, and Elizabeth. (November 2007) Mailings Two groups of students remained on campus to compile a mailing for FOP research and for Bridges Inc. (October 2005) Mitten Tree Sponsored by the third grade, mittens, hats, scarves, and gloves were collected and given to Lift for Learning. (December 2005) New Jersey Library Association Children’s Services Books for Kids program at the Short Hills campus requests donations of new books suitable for preschool age children through age fourteen. The books are distributed to children who are disadvantaged and unable to access books. (December 2005) PKD Foundation Lower school dress down day, sponsored by Stephen Rienzi (5), raised $1,091. (February 2006) Soldiers in Iraq – Middle School students are writing letters to American troops. (November 2007) Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation The entire lower school—student body, faculty, and staff—dressed in varying shades of pink and posed on the Short Hills campus lawn for a group photo. The photo was used to make mouse pads and sold for $15 apiece for a sum total of $1,047. Proceeds were given to Deborah Belfatto, executive director and co-founder of the North Jersey affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. (October 2005)