A group from Mattson Middle School staff members and students spent a morning collecting litter that has accumulated along the side 164th Street. Armed with hard hats, gloves, safety vests and garbage bags, the team collected rubbish thrown out of car windows and dropped by pedestrians. Flat tires, pop bottles, fast food wrappers and countless cigarette butts were picked up and disposed of properly.
Mattson staff members, motivated by the success of the Toys for Joy program, petitioned the city of Covington to adopt 164th Street, from the King County Library to the northern boundary of Mattson Middle School.
The Mattson Middle School staff works hard to improve student achievement in innovative and inspiring ways.
This year the Mattson staff decided to add to the work they do in the school house for students, by participating in multiple community service projects. In November and December, staff members collected toys and donations for disadvantages kids in our community by partnering with the Kent Fire Department and their Toys for Joy program. The event was a surprising success in light of the current economic situation that many families face in our community.
When asked why they volunteered their time, effort, and energy to the Adopt-a-Street program, staff members stated they felt so much support from the community for Mattson from the PTA, ASB fundraising support throughout the year, and family support for our athletic teams.
Team members indicated that the sense of community with each other, camaraderie and the feeling of doing something tangible for others without expecting anything in return were among the reasons inspiring the event.
The staff of Mattson Middle School would like to both invite and challenge everyone to find a way to give back. There are many needs out there. It only takes a bit of time and it leaves you feeling like a million bucks.
