Civic students at Wayne State University's middle school have joined the Marines - for a community service project.

The eighth-grade students at the University Public School will sponsor a dance for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the school cafeteria.

A volunteer DJ will "spin" play lists from various generations of music. Parents and grandparents are invited to come and show their own junior high dances.

Admission will be one new unwrapped toy; the goal is 500 toys. Marines from the local reserve unit will be "on deck" to collect the toys from the students.

The dance is part of the coursework in citizenship for the civics class and part of the school's 20th Century Celebration Days.

The civic students will be working to meet content standard no. 25 of the Michigan Department of Education. The standard requires students to participate in their communities by formulating and carrying out constructive responses to social problems.

The school is located at 2727 Second Avenue in Detroit. For more information call Fred Borowski, school principal, at (313) 964-1600.