For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Oyster River Middle School Students Participate in Annual Servicepalooza

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse and Principal Jay Richard are pleased to announce that Oyster River Middle School hosted its annual Servicepalooza event earlier this month, which enabled students to take part in various community service projects throughout the district.

Students from Oyster River Middle School participated in the school’s annual “Servicepalooza” event on Friday, May 11. Keeping with tradition, they got involved with community service activities in Durham, Lee and Madbury, as well as at Oyster River’s four schools.

Groups of middle school students went to Mast Way and Moharimet Elementary Schools to present to 4th grade classes on what it is like to be a middle school student, as the elementary school students prepare to make the transition to middle school this fall.

Small groups of ORMS students assisted teachers in their classrooms at both elementary schools, while others worked outside to weed, mulch and clean the gardens and courtyard at Mast Way and the playground at Moharimet.

A group of more than a dozen students joined STEM teacher John Silverio and Conservation Officer James Benvenuti — along with his K9 partner, Cora — of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to release approximately 350 trout fry into the Lamprey River at Wiswall Dam. Silverio had been raising the brook trout in his classroom since January, as he has for past two years.

Students learned about the importance of the fish hatcheries and conservation from Officer Benvenuti, who led small groups of students down the fish ladder to explain the spawning process.

At the high school, students participating in Servicepalooza learned how to paint an exterior structure.

“Servicepalooza is an extraordinary tradition, and it’s something that we all look forward to every year,” Principal Richard said. “I am very proud of all of our students for getting involved and making it a success once again. Their work makes our community better and allows them to broaden their horizons through service.”

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