Service Learning

In my research about service-learning, I have come across several good resources and used these to create a PowerPoint for the middle school staff.

Here are some key ideas that we need to keep in mind as we build our program:

• Service and service-learning can co-exist 
• AISC must have a common definition of what service-learning is so that action is focused and purposeful. 
• Community wide training should help people understand the process which needs to be followed for participants to gain the maximum benefit. 
• Students must be involved in the planning- relevance is key
• It needs to be developmentally responsive. AES has created a continuum that allows for students from all three sections to participate, with greater choice beginning in grade 8.
• AISC must create a structure to support teachers and students, that structure includes: 
• A Service-Learning Coordinator to make connections with local groups joined with a committee of teachers, students, parents and others to guide the work.
•  Access to PD surrounding the process of service-learning, pre-service, service, and post-service are all crucial parts of the work. 
• Here is the link to the National Youth Leadership Council website, which provides a host of information on the topic.
• The middle school and high school will probably be having an assembly on January 22 hosted by the Rotary Club as they have approached us about starting an Interact Club. This will probably start off as a service initiative but could certainly grow into a service-learning opportunity.

•  List possible actions
• Begin having conversations with the staff to plant the seed about what service-learning is and is not.
• Begin having conversations about how service might fit into the existing curriculum
• Find allies within the staff who might be willing to facilitate the thinking that is occurring at each grade level and would be part of the committee
• Assess the experience/ expertise within the staff
• Plan PD opportunities and make sure everyone understands the vision and process
• Look for any and all possible connections.  Ideally we want to forge partnerships with quality organizations that will stand the test of time

Ultimately, I would like to see us "go slow to go fast." I think building a solid foundation by creating structures that will support teachers and students will go a long way towards embedding service-learning into our culture so that we fulfill the school vision.