At Gates Mills Elementary, students are learning more than the typical subjects of math, language arts, science, and social studies. Our students are also learning how to be good citizens who give back as part of their community! 

In addition to teaming up with the other three Mayfield elementary schools to donate over 40,000 food and toiletry items to the local community, the elementary schools joined forces on their first ever book drive! GMES, Center, and Millridge donated over 7,000 books to the Cleveland Kids Book Bank. The Book Bank helps to foster a love of reading by donating new and gently used books to greater Cleveland schools, non-profits, churches, and community centers. 

First graders yet again made learning about economics fun and meaningful. The class became producers to supply their dog and cat customers at Rescue Village with dog blankets and cat wands to take to their new adopted homes. The class also organized a raffle to bring in over $750 in monetary donations along with other needed items at the shelter, like food, toys, and beds.

Students ended the year out in the Village for Community Service Day! Students cleaned up the school’s outdoor classroom, helped decorate the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club’s 4th of July parade float, washed service vehicles, and cleaned up around the Village Center. If you have fun and meaningful ideas of volunteer opportunities for our students to participate in, please reach out to Meghan Perez at Cameron.meg@gmail.com.