What is the Community Advisory Committee? It is a Special Education Community Advisory Committee

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Dear Parent or Guardian,

This Spring, our students will once again be participating in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). CAASPP is the State’s academic testing ...more

Sometimes, all you need is small change to make a great impact.

This is what the Niguel Hills Middle School Student PTSA set out to do when they organized a coin drive in March 2018.  They wanted to raise money to purchase goats for impoverished families in a developing country. 

“Did you know that all it takes is $50 to buy a goat?” asked Student PTSA President, Max Segal.  “That one goat can provide milk, food, and income to an impoverished family.  As a school, we can make a lasting impact just by collecting pocket change.”

 “Let’s call it GoatFundMe!” said Lucy Himmelberg, Financial Secretary, when they were discussing the possibility of getting online donations. 

“Let’s ‘milk’ this!” said Winter Bevan, Outreach Officer, as they brainstormed on how to best get donations.

The lighthearted student committee actually has serious focus.  Student PTSA is sponsored by the Parent Student Teacher Association (PTSA) and fairly unique to Niguel Hills Middle School.  It is held outside of school hours, operated by ten middle schoolers, and overseen by parent volunteers. The group organizes local and global charitable work.  They host general meetings and obtain speakers who are dedicated to inspiring others.

Student PTSA partnered with WE, an international organization which helps youth take the focus off of “me” and into “we” by helping them perform charitable acts that create a lasting impact on other people.  WE inspired them to run the coin drive for goats.

The goat fundraiser was led by 6^th Grader, Micah Allen.  For donors who gave $50 or more, he and his mom, Nikki Allen, designed a hat and sticker as tokens of thanks.  They called it the “Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Supporter Pack.”  Micah and Peyton Dopf, Student PTSA Vice-President, painted lawn signs with a goat logo and posted them around the school.

Niguel Hills Middle School responded with fervor.  For three weeks, coins, bills, checks, and the occasional Chuck E. Cheese token poured in.  The students received support from teacher, Mrs. Gwynne Steidle, who made morning announcements and incited competition amongst classes. The biggest donor ended up being Laguna Niguel Foursquare Church, which donated $200 based on the lawn signs and a marquee message they saw at the school.  In total, Student PTSA raised $3,077.07. 

“That can buy 61 goats!” Max said.  “Those are 61 families, perhaps a whole village, which can receive a lasting impact.”

Student PTSA is currently working with WE to identify which country has the greatest need.  In the meantime, WE has recognized Student PTSA’s enthusiasm for altruism and designated them as WE Champions.  On April 18, four student representatives -- Micah Allen, Zoe Neeve, Max Segal and Alex Segal--were honored with dinner and an evening of inspiration held at the Forum Club in Inglewood.  They were able to share their accomplishments with a small group of other WE Champions within California.

Because of their philanthropic work throughout the year, Niguel Hills Middle School was also able to secure 25 tickets for WE Day. WE Day brings world-renowned speakers and A-list performers in concert for tens of thousands of young people as a reward for their acts of good will.  This year’s WE Day California was held at The Forum on April 19 and featured celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Dierks Bentley, the Chainsmokers, Selena Gomez, Will Ferrell, Jordan Fisher, Morgan Freeman, and John Stamos.  Student PTSA raffled off tickets to other Niguel Hills Middle School students who gave service hours throughout the year.  They were even able to share school bus transportation with Dana Hills High School, who had a small group participate in the WE program.

During the WE Day concert, scheduled to air nationally on ABC on August 17, 2018, Niguel Hills Middle School students proudly waved their goat signs.  They cheered, danced, and looked as if they were having the Greatest Of All Time.

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