One aspect of Laurel's mission is for students to better the world by forming a profound sense of connection both to the local and global community. The foundations begun in Pre-Primary for meaningful service learning are continued in Primary School.

Primary Community Council consists of representatives from each K-4 classroom (membership rotates several times a year) who meet together twice a month to focus on how to impact individual lives and the school community, as well as to be the leaders in larger school initiatives such as the Harvest for Hunger food drive, book drives for Cleveland Schools and various other collections for local and overseas agencies. The girls engage their classmates in discussions about the importance and positive impact of service learning and global citizenship.

There are many ways in which the Primary girls are active in service learning. Second Graders have taken up the cause of the Ohio honey bee, researching the insects’ disappearing habitat and writing letters to local politicians to raise awareness of the bees’ plight.

Primary girls have made recyclable grocery bags, decorated cookies for the Ronald MacDonald House, and hosted days of fun activities for inner city children from various Cleveland schools.

Primary girls have also connected to the global community by collecting clothing for the Hope for Honduran Children foundation in Nuevo Paraíso, Honduras and gathering clothing, toiletries, school supplies and sports equipment for an orphanage in Tanzania. New service learning activities continue to emerge as students make connections to the classroom curriculum or perceive a cause that requires attention.

In the Primary years, our girls are beginning to acquire a lifetime desire for service to others and to understand the important issues that underlie the needs of a society.