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Community Service Day 2026: Making a Real-World Impact Across Florence

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi

On Tuesday, October 6th, our entire academic community came together to live out our core values during our annual Whole School Community Service Day. From our youngest learners on campus to our Upper School students working across the city, students, staff, and parents stepped outside their daily routines to give back to the local Florentine community.

Service Learning in Action from Early Years to High School

Community Service Day represents a collective effort that spans both our Junior and Upper School campuses. Across all grade levels, students engaged in hands-on, meaningful activities designed to foster empathy, civic responsibility, and active global citizenship:

  • Upper School & CAS Leaders: Our older students and CAS leaders took an active role across Florence, guiding peers, managing logistics, and running impactful service-learning projects both on campus and in the field.
  • Junior School: From tending to campus gardens to visiting local nursing homes, our younger students engaged in hands-on activities that fostered care for the environment, animals, and the local community.

Special thanks to our Community Service Day Coordinators, Inka Szablinski at the Upper School and Franco Perrotta at the Junior School, whose leadership made this campus-wide event possible. We also extend our gratitude to CAS Student Coordinator Rachele Quagli for her exceptional leadership, and to Mr. Quagli for generously providing our event t-shirts.

Partnering with Florence’s Local Organizations

The ongoing success and positive impact of this event are a testament to the unwavering energy of the Community Service Coordinators, alongside the foundational vision laid by Ms. Baddeley.

Through their dedication, our School partnered with a vast network of Florentine non-profits and civic organizations. We extend our deepest gratitude to our community partners who presented to our students, welcomed them into their facilities, and provided opportunities for real-world service:

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community

“You showed up with open hearts and open minds, demonstrating the very best of who we are. I am deeply grateful for you all.” — Inka Szablinski, Community Service Day Coordinator

Events like these reflect the true spirit of our educational philosophy, demonstrating how service learning empowers students to become compassionate, proactive members of society. Thank you to all the students, staff, parents, and community partners who made Community Service Day 2026 an unforgettable success.

See Community Service Day in Action

Want to see our students in action? Explore the full gallery of moments from across our campuses and Florence on Flickr.