Instead of spending the last Saturday of Easter break relaxing, 18 seventh and eighth grade students at All Saints went to work cleaning the grounds of Bristoe Station Battlefield Park in Bristow, VA. Sponsored by the Civil War Trust, National Park Day is an annual event that invites volunteers from around the country to help maintain and preserve Civil War battlefield sites. The students were accompanied to this year’s April 6th event by middle school social studies teacher Mrs. Slovenkay and middle school literature teacher Mrs. Lewis.

A community service activity spearheaded by Mrs. Slovenkay, this is the 8th year that All Saints students have participated in Park Day. In previous years, students helped maintain trails, rake leaves, and clear trash at the Liberia Mansion and Signal Hill historic sites.

“The preservation of the Civil War sites is very relevant to our 7th grade history curriculum,” shares Mrs. Slovenkay. “It also reinforces the importance of good citizenship learned in 7th and 8th government lessons.” Being an environmental steward also ties into All Saints active virtue program as it provides students with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their civic virtues.

Adds Mrs. Slovenkay, “When I take students to this annual event, it is my fervent wish that children experience the great satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment when they give back to their community and that they will continue to responsibly participate in their communities. Just as we live our faith at All Saints, we live good citizenship as well.”