First Graders Make a Difference Through Service Learning With Variety KC

Service learning is an important part of the St. Paul’s experience, giving students meaningful opportunities to put compassion and generosity into action. Each year, our first graders partner with Variety KC, an organization that supports children with special needs and their families.

Recently, students welcomed Yara and her mother to their classrooms. Yara shared her story with the first graders, helping them make a personal connection to the organization they are supporting and better understand the difference their fundraising can make.

Last year, St. Paul’s first graders raised nearly $2,000 to help provide a communication device for a child with special needs. This year’s first graders are taking on the challenge of raising funds for another communication device.

The visit also included a fun celebration of last year’s class. Variety KC recognized their fundraising efforts by playing “Rockin’ Robin” (a much-loved Chapel song at St. Paul's) on the radio—and our current first graders had a great time dancing along!

Opportunities like this help our students see that service isn't just something we talk about; it's something we do. Through service learning, St. Paul’s students are developing the compassion, leadership, and sense of responsibility that are central to our mission of developing confident learners, ethical leaders, and compassionate, engaged citizens.

We are grateful to Yara, her mother, and Variety KC for helping our first graders see the impact they can make in their community.

Learn About Service Learning at St. Paul's