8th Grade Community Projects | McAuliffe International School

As an IB capstone project for our 8th graders, our 8th Grade Community Project challenges 8th graders to identify a community need, work to address that need, and then present their project to parents and teachers.

Please check out some of the 2019-2020 projects below for an example of the great things McAuliffe students are doing!

8th Grade Sadie Hawkins Dance – March 13th

Our names are Sophia Salter and Carmiya Levin and for our community project, we are hosting a 8th grade ONLY Sadie Hawkins dance on March 13th. Our goal is to raise awareness for women empowerment. The point of the dance is to show how women can do anything men can do. For example, most schools have a school dance you want to go with a guy but you feel like it is his job to ask you to go with him to the dance. At this Sadie Hawkins Dance, girls can ask the boys. Please know that all students can attend the dance with or without a date. The dance is Friday, March 13th from 7:00-9:00pm in the big gym. Tickets can be bought at the door only for $5. Again, this dance is for McAuliffe 8th grade students only.

Autism Research

Our names are Krish Vipani, Daniel Boyd and Jacob Smithburger. Please come support us and McAuliffe International School at Chick-Fil-A (on Quebec & 36th) from 4:30 – 7:30pm on Tuesday, February 25th. 20% of the proceeds on this night will be donated to the Autism Research Department at Children’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Make sure to mention you are supporting McAuliffe when you order!

Bring Back the Wolves

Our names are Elijah Morgan and Elsa Buddenhagen and for our Community Project, we are trying to raise awareness for the wolf population in Colorado and the move to bring the wolves back into our environment.

Colorado has a rich ecosystem full of numerous animals that make our state what it is. However, one thing it has been missing for decades are wolves. Wolves were originally removed from Colorado because of their tendency to steal farmer’s livestock, and they were believed to be hurting the economy. Now, wolves are beginning to return to Colorado’s mountains and the issue will be on the 2020 ballot. On the ballot, it explains that if the motion passes, state wildlife managers will completely restore the population by the end of 2023. Wolves were previously restored in Yellowstone National Park and officials have said that it has benefited the entire food chain and provided a healthy ecosystem for farmers to successfully provide for the state. We need to bring wolves back because we banned them from their natural home, even though this is where their natural food source is. Additionally, they are also classified as being an endangered species. We cannot be responsible for the loss of another of Earth’s species. Wolves are not the problem for Colorado’s ecosystem. It is our fault they are gone and our responsibility to bring them back.

Burritos For a Cause!

Between 4:00-8:00pm on March 7th, the Chipotle on 29th Ave in Stapleton will be donating profits to support Children’s Hospital. Chipotle only donates the profits if 100+ people show up, so please, please come! We need lots of people! This is a fundraiser created by McAuliffe 8th graders, Macy A. and Gabi L, as part of our community service project.

PLEASE MENTION THAT YOU ARE THERE TO SUPPORT MCAULIFFE WHEN YOU ORDER!

Denver’s Homeless Need You!

Hello! Our names are Olivia Link and Elise Wu. We are 8th graders and for our community project, we are going to raise awareness about the homeless population of Denver along with making care packages to distribute to the homeless.

There are about 5,755 homeless people in Denver at any given day
The number of homeless people is increasing in many different communities
At least 25% of the American homeless population is seriously mentally ill
There are an estimated 575,000 to 1.6 million youth experiencing homelessness each year in America
30% of homeless youth will be recruited for purposes of sexual exploitation and other forms of human trafficking within two days of leaving home

But how can you help?

Make care packages or donate any of these items (to places like The Gathering Place or Denver Rescue Mission Ministry Outreach Center):
- New socks
- Band-Aids
- Granola Bars or crackers
- Individual Packs of Kleenex
- Wipes
- Chapstick
- Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Engage with them! Homelessness tends to bring a sense of loneliness and invisibility. By saying a simple hello, we can improve their mood and brighten their day.
Help raise awareness. If we spread the word, we can make a positive change as a community.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Places like Volunteers of America and Volunteers of America Mission would love your help. When we volunteer, we not only help others, but we also help ourselves.

Gun Violence Awareness & Survey

For our community project, we (Ammi M., Jadyn G. and Vivian B.) have chosen to raise awareness to end gun violence through schools and communities around the globe. By completing this survey, this helps not only 8th graders at McAuliffe but community members understand and gain knowledge of how gun violence has affected our peers and staff members lives along with their loved ones. We are hoping you will take 2 minutes to fill out this survey so we can raise money for ‘Rachel’s Challenge’. Rachel’s Challenge is a non-profit organization that raises awareness in schools about Rachel Scott, who was a victim of the Columbine shooting that took place on April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado. Rachel’s challenge raises awareness in schools and tells her story to prevent similar tragedies.

Help the Australia Wildfires – Buy a T-shirt

Hello, we are Owen Busic, Hayden Cain and Merle Hezel and for our Community Service Project we are selling shirts online to help an organization in Australia called Wires (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service). As you probably already know, there are many wildfires going on and they are endangering and threatening many harmless creatures living in Australia. An estimated 1.25 billion animals have been affected due to the fires. Help us prevent any more animals from getting in harm’s way by purchasing one of these awesome shirts. 50% of the money we earn will go to Wires and they can use it to help those animals! Any questions can be answered by Owen, Hayden or Merle which are all in 8th grade.

Cost: $20
Deadline to order: Don’t worry about it cause we don’t have one!
How to order: You can go to this website that we created to order the shirts.

McAuliffe Cares Mental Health Stickers

My name is Mia Howard and my community project partner Emma Hosking and I will be handing out McAuliffe Cares vinyl water bottle stickers to students at lunch on March 1st and 2nd. It is our goal to help all the students in our school know that they are valued every day and to give them a reminder that they are important.

We hope you join us in creating a community that supports all people for being them! All the support you are giving to us is allowing us to help our school become a more accepting place where no matter what you are going through you are loved! It is our goal to help all students not only survive school but feel happy and accepted there. During these stressful years of middle school we know there are many people who feel upset and even battle severe anxiety and depression. It is a horrible thing to go through and we want to help make sure everyone at school feels supported. Thank you for all your help in making our school a better, safer and happier place!

Mental Health Resources for 8th Graders

Our names are Laurel Quinby and Sammy Berman, and for our community project, we are focusing on providing students with easier access to mental health resources. To achieve this goal, we have met with our community project supervisor, which is the 6th grade counselor and she has approved us adding a “mental health resources” folder in the 8th grade´s Schoology Homeroom course. In this folder, we have provided a list of apps, websites, books, and hotlines that can help aid students’ mental health. We hope this new addition can help our McAuliffe community.

Prom Dresses for Bella Boutique

My name is Lindsay Williams and for my community project, I am donating dresses to Bella Boutique a non-profit organization. Bella Boutique gives free prom dresses, shoes, and jewelry to high school girls who can’t afford it. They require that girls are on free or reduced lunch, are currently a high school student, and are facing financial hardships. Bella Boutique is located in Denver and are always looking for more donations. Going to prom for any girl (and guy) is a unique moment in high school. Prom can teach you how to act in a formal social situation and show you examples of adulthood. For others, Prom is a moment to celebrate becoming an adult.

What I need for Bella Boutique donations is formal dresses (does not have to be a prom dress), shoes, or accessories that would fit a high school girl. It would be great if you donated because you would be helping someone go to prom. Please bring all dresses, shoes, or accessories to Ms. Beardshear’s office (room 112) before Friday, Feb. 28th.

Wish list from website:

Sandals, open or closed-toe shoes, formal heels or anything that would pair nicely with a formal dress is desired. They accept all women’s sizes. Shoes and soles must be in good condition. Sizes 5 and 6 are in high demand
They accept formal and cocktail dresses sizes 0 to 4X. Dresses must be in good to excellent condition. Plus Size Gowns (sizes 14+) are in high demand
When it comes to jewelry, purses, scarves and hairpieces, you can do no wrong! From all out bling to simple & classic, no matter what the style, your accessories will bring any prom look to life

Please check out the Bella Boutique website to learn more about the organization.

Noodles and Company Fundraising Night For McAuliffe PE Department

We are Liam P. and Hudson K. and as part of our community project, we are hosting a fundraising night at Noodles and Company in Stapleton. Our goal is to raise money for McAuliffe International’s PE department. We will use the proceeds to purchase new supplies/equipment. As students, we noticed that some of the equipment is very old and we would like to upgrade it for future students to use. Please come get some noodles and help support the McAuliffe PE department.

Date: 3/4/2020
Time: 4:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Noodles and Company in Stapleton;
7401 E 29th Ave Bldg 13
25% of all purchases will go to our cause! Come on out!
PLEASE MENTION THAT YOU ARE HERE TO SUPPORT MCAULIFFE!

Help Save the Koalas

Hi my name is Liliana Dean and my group is Nico Wachtel and Arianna Zavoda. For our community project, we are raising money and awareness for the Koala Hospital in Australia. We would love for you to help us raise money for the hospital by coming to our restaurant night at Casey’s. Please click here for information.

Trash Pickup at Westerly Creek on February 22nd

We, Oliver Howe & Be Walczak, are hosting a trash pickup in Westerly Creek in Stapleton. This pickup will help create a nice living environment in Stapleton and all of Denver! If you can attend on February 22nd of 2020 between 10-1 you can sign-up here. We will donate the tools from the pick up to the McAuliffe service learning program so that this pick up can be a continued event. Thanks in advance for your support!