Martin Luther King Day has always been a ‘day on’ here at AJC, and this year was no exception. Beginning with a whole-school morning assembly, Principal Gilliam reminded students of “the why” behind coming to school (when, as many a middle-schooler had pointed out, everyone else had the day off!). She spoke of her own childhood and helping neighbors—cleaning up yards and mowing grass for folks who weren’t able. She called it “doing God’s work” and explained that working together and simply being kind to one another is God’s work too. And that’s what we were there to do.

Middle school students reflected on their strengths and core values and how they can use them in service to others. Hands-on projects in K-8th grades—from assembling snack bags for teachers at nearby schools to cleaning up the neighborhood and making cards for veterans—made for a busy morning.

We’re proud of our students for rising to Dr. King’s challenge to serve others and are hopeful that their good work will ripple out into their communities well beyond their days here at AJC.

7th grader, Jeylan, crafts a card to brighten a veteran’s day.

Kindergarteners worked together to create an MLK mosaic.

7th grader, Brooklyn, works on a King-inspired “Life’s Blueprint” assignment.