On September 25th, 2025, as the sun broke through the rain clouds at ACDS, our 8th-graders eagerly boarded chartered buses for their very first REACH Day. Students buzzed with curiosity about what lay ahead and excitement at the chance to break from their daily routine.

REACH Day is a reimagining of what was once known as EDGE Day. While EDGE challenged students to step out of their comfort zones and try something new, REACH — Reflect, Explore, Act, Connect, & Help — builds on that foundation by adding a vital dimension of service learning. The goal is to connect students not only with new skills and experiences but also with meaningful ways to serve and strengthen our community.

For this REACH Day, students partnered with Sacred Heart Community Service and their urban garden initiative, La Mesa Verde, to revitalize a community garden space at History Park in San Jose. Upon arrival, students were welcomed with an introduction about the importance of community gardens in providing equitable food access and preserving the dignity of choice for families.

Working in groups, students rotated through a variety of projects: constructing a moss rock fairy garden, learning about soil health and composting, filling raised garden beds for a winter planting, painting rocks, weeding, and planting California native plants, donated by ACDS. Beyond the hands-on work, ACDS also contributed to La Mesa Verde’s long-term mission by helping fund additional raised beds that will provide food access to vulnerable members of the community.

The Sacred Heart and La Mesa Verde teams praised the energy and focus of our students, noting how much they were able to accomplish in such a short time. Even more exciting, they expressed enthusiasm about continuing to build this partnership with ACDS in the future.

After a morning rooted in service, students carried their momentum into the afternoon with a selection of activities inspired by past EDGE Days. They could choose from three engaging tracks: parkour with Session Parkour, cooking with Cultivate Kitchens, or art workshops led by Local Color, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists and community creativity. In parkour, students explored physical expression and agility, learning how to swing, jump, and flip their way through challenges. The cooking workshop celebrated the flavors of migrant communities, with students preparing pao de queijo, empanadas, and arroz con leche. Meanwhile, the art workshops immersed students in button-making, gelli printing, and resin art under the guidance of three featured artists.

By the end of the day, students had not only challenged themselves with new skills but also connected deeply with their community through meaningful service. REACH Day successfully blended reflection, exploration, action, connection, and help, leaving our 8th-graders inspired and excited for the next opportunity to learn and give back together.