At St. Mary’s, an Early Education to Grade 8, private IB school, the month of October is dedicated to educating the school’s community about cancer. “Through assemblies designed to teach students about healthy lifestyles through diet, exercise and sun care– to students’ service learning opportunities, we want our community to feel empowered to affect change,” said Jim Cox, Dean of Students. “Partnerships with American Cancer Society’s Relay Recess and Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths will provide numerous opportunities for our community to demonstrate their support.”

The highlight of the month was a special assembly to celebrate the philanthropic efforts and spirit of the school’s students, alumni, parents, and staff who chose to donate eight inches, each of their hair to Pantene’s “Beautiful Lengths” program, which creates wigs from donated hair for girls and women undergoing cancer treatment. With the help of Parks Salon who cut and styled hair, the school surpassed the event goal this year with 53 donors who collectively donated more than 442 inches of hair.

In addition to raising awareness through curriculum and events, students, Faculty and staff wear pink on Fridays throughout October to rally support for women facing cancer. “At St. Mary’s, because service learning is a core component of the IB program, our students go above and beyond traditional service projects,” said Cox. “They identify and work to address a diverse array of issues affecting people and the planet. They grow socially and spiritually, while developing strong leadership skills. Last year, our students helped to improve the lives of thousands of individuals and families from helping to clothe and feed local families to helping to build a water tower in India.”