"Teach the children what they need to know for life."
Community service is an integral part of the NDE community, in keeping with the school's mission of developing the whole
child.
Each class regularly participates in various fundraising throughout the year to raise money or goods for the less fortunate. The 5th grade annually hosts a "Treat or Treat So All Can Eat" Halloween food drive. Proceeds go to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County. NDE students donated over 1,000 pounds to SVdP as a result of the 2009 "Trick or Treat So All Can Eat" food drive.
7th grade students regularly perform service activities at the Catholic Charities San Carlos Adult Day Center, which gives frail elderly and disabled adults a safe, friendly, therapeutic environment with breakfast, a hot nutritional lunch and snacks. Students help serve food, play games with the clients, and provide other general assistance to the clients and staff. The 7th grade students also attend an all-day beach clean-up where they collect trash and remove non-native invasive ice plant.
8th grade students serve at Saint Vincent Homeless Help Centers. They prepare sandwiches, assemble bagged lunches and provide assistance to the homeless residents throughout the county.
Community service doesn't stop with NDE students. Twice a year, NDE parents band together to work on projects for Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. No special talents or abilities are required-just a willingness to help with a smile! Over 25 NDE adult volunteers signed up and worked on a day care in San Mateo serving underprivileged children on National Rebuilding Day, April 25 (see below).