Appreciation

Yesterday, I received a purple folded thank you card in the mail. It was signed by 26 students from Molalla River School District in Oregon. Smiley faces accompanied the note that read Thank You for helping us with our State Farm Grant. The simple card had me smiling for the rest of the day. Opening the rest of the mail, I received another joy. There were two newspaper headlines that were better then a birthday present.

Principal: Service-Learning to be major part of MRMS In the article, Jasmine Freese, the Communities that Cares, Coordinator was acknowledged as the one responsible for bringing service-learning to the Molalla District and thus leveraging community and corporate partnerships to support the students. One in particular was the wildfire prevention program funded by State Farm. Jasmine set the example, brought teachers on board and now has the ear of the State Superintendent of schools looking to replicate the Molalla service-learning model.

The next headline:

A Community That Cares: State School Superintendent rewards Molalla’s collaborative spirit: Jasmine Freese has received the Outstanding Community/Schools Partnership Award. Congratulations Jasmine.


Let me close with this: appreciation matters, it inspires, and it can help others recognize the work your doing should be replicated. Take the opportunity to submit, show your appreciation for your organization, and nominate your colleagues, staff, or volunteers. It’s a great way to say thank you.

Here is an opportunities to nominate your colleagues or volunteers, and 2 winners are able to make a $23,000 donation to charities of their choosing, the other 20 finalists will receive $2,300 to donate. Deadline to apply is July 7th.

http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/drpepper/getpeppered/



-Heather Margolis, National Service-Learning Partnership

A New Approach to "Service as Punishment"

You may have heard my depressing story about sharing a subway car with a group of fifth graders visiting from North Carolina. They responded “Oh, no sir, we never get in trouble” when I asked them what kind of service they do in school.

The experience triggered quite a discussion at Youth Service America, and my colleague Rob Bisi proceeded to organize a lively Working Group around the subject of service as punishment. We brought in judges, youth development leaders, and the Department of Justice. That Working Group began a very strong relationship, funding and otherwise, between the Department of Justice and Youth Service America.

This article by one of our national partners, The Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF), introduces a major shift on how Department of Justice will encourage its programs to apply principles of service-learning to mandated community service for youth offenders to reduce recidivism. "Community service-learning" will use service-learning to deepen the benefits of mandated service to the youth offenders and the community, and form partnerships to encourage youth civic engagement.

As you will see in the “Origins” header midway through the article, Youth Service America is credited with sparking this initiative through that 2002 Working Group on service as punishment. This initiative has the potential to positively impact the service experiences of millions of Americans. What a great long-term impact for us to celebrate as Youth Service America heads into its 20th birthday this fall!


--Steve Culbertson, President and CEO
Youth Service America

Celebrate and Reflect

July 4th was my father's favorite holiday. This day was always a reminder about one of his greatest accomplishments--becoming a US citizen. He was extremely proud to be an American and the rights, privileges, and opportunities afforded him and his family as naturalized citizens. He was a true believer in democracy, and in his mind, citizenship was the pathway.

As a young person, I didn't fully understand my father's appreciation for democracy nor his lessons on our responsibilities as citizens. I never understood why he always pushed my sisters and I to join student government, why he constantly reminded us about the importance of voting, or why he wanted us to give our time and money back to the community. Although I didn't know it back then, I recognize now that he was planting the seed that would help me become an active citizen and a true believer in our democratic system.

I hope every young person has the opportunity to learn some of the civic lessons I received from my father. Whether these lessons are learned at home or at school (a combination of both would be ideal), it is imperative that we continue to promote civic learning and participation amongst our young people. How will students learn the fundamental values of American democracy, the importance of contributing to their communities, or the significance of the political and electoral process if we don't provide them with these civic lessons?

We must ensure that civic learning is a significant part of every young person's education. This is why it is important to support the many organizations that are doing great work that enable today's students to become tomorrow's active citizens. Below are just some of the many organizations promoting civic learning and working to enact changes in policy to advance civic education in our schools and communities:

The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
http://www.civicmissionofschools.org/index_html

Constitutional Rights Foundation:
http://www.crf-usa.org/

Center for Democracy and Citizenship:
http://www.publicwork.org/home.html

National Center for Learning and Citizenship
http://www.ecs.org/html/projectsPartners/nclc/nclc_main.htm

So while you enjoy your hotdog and fireworks this 4th of July, be sure to also take some time to reflect on how you too can contribute to teaching our young people the importance of civic education.

--Seung Yu - SEANet / National Service-Learning Partnership

Oprah Winfrey and Service-Learning

What does Oprah Winfrey have in common with the service-learning community? We both recently honored the legends of our respective fields.

In summer 2005, Oprah Winfrey hosted the Legends Ball, a weekend extravaganza designed to honor and recognize African American women who made legendary contributions as civic leaders, authors, and entertainers.

In March 2006, the National Service-Learning Partnership announced the creation of the Service-Learning Trailblazers award. This award is our way to honor service-learning leaders whose legacy or body of work continues to inspire others to initiate, deepen or expand service-learning.

Some Trailblazers have retired or are playing less visible roles in the day-to-day leadership for service-learning, but the lasting impact of their talent, innovation, and perseverance is legendary and continues to fuel the spirit of service-learning within schools and communities across the country today.

While we honor seven outstanding Service-Learning Trailblazers this year, I'd like to introduce you to one extremely special Trailblazer right now: Stella Raudenbush.

I personally admired Stella and her work from the first time I saw her hosting the 1996 National Service-Learning Conference in Detroit, Michigan until her sudden passing on May 21, 2005. She was for me, and for so many other young leaders in this field, a role model--a shining example of what it means to speak your truth and stay honest to the core values and traditions that make the service-learning field unique and truly special.

In many ways, Stella was the social conscious of this field--always challenging us to create meaningful, reciprocal partnerships with communities engaged in service-learning. She and fellow 2006 Trailblazer Award Winner McClellan Hall (but more about Mac later) created opportunities, such as the annual Gathering of Elders at the National Service-Learning Conference. Each year, this gathering called on all of us to remember and celebrate the spirit and wisdom of the elders who paved the way for those of us working to build stronger schools and communities through service, service-learning, and social justice.

Stella was a longtime friend and colleague of the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). You can visit NYLC's website to read a touching tribute to Stella, written by Jim Kielsemeier and Wokie Weah.

Shortly before Stella passed away, she and Mac wrote Wisdom Teachings: Lessons from Gatherings of Elders. Through beautiful pictures and words, this book provides important information for those bringing elders and youths together to address issues of service and community development. In this practical guide, Stella and Mac explain the steps, cultural considerations, and lessons they've learned over a decade of hosting gatherings of elders.

And if you're interested in planning a gathering of elders in your own community, check out Stella and Mac's eight-week how-to guide, also available via NYLC's website.

There are no words I can find to fully capture the undeniable spirit and contributions Stella brought to the service-learning field--both in her local community and nationwide. She was a wife and mother. She was a teacher and a friend. She is a Trailblazer. And while she is missed, her legend is not forgotten.


--Nelda Brown, National Service-Learning Partnership

New Service-Learning Evaluation Tool Kit !

Looking for pre and post surveys along with a data entry, analysis tools and a code book for service-learning evaluation ? Well you are in luck.

The Center for Youth and Communities (CYC) at Brandeis University has published Making Knowledge Productive: Skills and Tools for Evaluating Community Service-Learning Programs in Massachusetts. It is a soup to nuts evaluation tool kit.

This tool kit includes resources for evaluation, planning, logic models, skills and tools for data collection, data analysis, and how to use the results for program reporting and program improvement.

For more information please contact
Kristen McKinnon,
Community Service-Learning Specialist
Massachusetts Department of Education
kmckinnon@doe.mass.edu

If these aren't the tools you're looking for try CART (Compendium of Research and assessment Tools for Measuring Education and Youth Development Outcomes)

Knowledge is power ! Sending out a big thank you to those researchers and practitioners whose hard work help improve all of our service.


-Heather Margolis, National Service-Learning Partnership

Service-Learning Champions Honored for Spirit of Service

On June 20, the Corporation for National and Community Service announced the recipients of the 2006 Spirit of Service Awards. Among those recognized were two service-learning champions, an exemplary service-learning program, and State Farm Insurance®.

State Farm Insurance®, Bloomington, IL
Most people know State Farm as an insurance pioneer, but not everyone recognizes its pioneering leadership as an advocate for service-learning. Through its initiative on Education Excellence, State Farm uses its fiscal and human resources to connect teachers, classrooms, and communities nationwide.

Cynthia McCauley, Educator, Panama City, FL
With support from Florida Learn and Serve, Cynthia plays a critical role in finding ways for students facing multiple disabilities to work with mainstream students on service-learning projects. Her latest undertaking is to create the first-ever service-learning charter school for students with disabilities.

Dr. Rudy Garcia, Higher Education, Albuquerque, NM
A top service-learning educator at the higher education level, Dr. Garcia developed the service-learning program at Central New Mexico Community College, recruiting dozens of faculty members to participate in the initiative.

Kevin Estep, Student, Apple Grove, WV
Through HI-Y, a YMCA-affiliated leadership organization, Kevin challenged his fellow students to improve their school and community through service-learning. He also joined the West Virginia Youth Action Council, part of the state’s Department of Education’s Learn and Serve program, in its work to involve more youth in service.

The SITES Program, North Olmsted, OH
More than 1,400 Ohio students have contributed more than 250,000 service hours to the community through the SITES program since it was established 15 years ago by North Olmsted High School teachers Robert J. Pierce and Christine Kilbane-Pierce. The three-credit, interdisciplinary program integrates 12th grade English and social studies with an elective credit in community service-learning. The program serves as a Learn and Serve Ohio Model, assisting other schools with developing and improving service-learning programs of their own.

Congratulations to these outstanding award winners. Visit the Corporation's website to learn more about the 2006 Spirit of Service Awards.


--Nelda Brown, National Service-Learning Partnership

Service-Learning Spreads to Every Undergraduate College

According to the University of Delaware's UDaily:

"Service-learning courses, sprouting on campuses across the country, combine academic study with service. Students study an issue, volunteer in a related area, and a faculty member leads them through a review of what they've learned on site and on campus. This year, every undergraduate college sponsored at least one such course."

In addition, Susan Serra, service-learning coordinator, explains:

“If you help out at Emmaus House two days a week, that's volunteering. If you study homelessness in your course, that's learning. Faculty-directed reflection on your experience in the community through your course work is service learning.”

The fact that service-learning is in every undergraduate college is a great sign of progress. But educators like Susan and others spotlighted in the article show that they truly "get it."

Those involved in service-learning consistently report feeling more involved in both their studies and their local communities and are more likely to become aware, civic-minded, and active members of society.

It is my hope that the service-learning community and its supporters can continue to show the merits of service-learning, realize how far we've come in making it a part of every college undergraduate's educational experience, and work towards making service-learning a part of EVERY young person's experience.

http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2006/may/service052606.html

- Susan Wong, National Service-Learning Partnership

Still Amazed by What Kids Can Do

Yesterday, my cousin graduated from the fifth grade. The sun was scorching. The kids were squirmy. The all-school orchestra was squeeky, but melodious in its own way (smile). My family and I were oblivious. We savored every moment of the pint-sized graduation ceremony with great pride and anticipation.

The principal and teachers celebrated the students' academic achievement as well as their accomplishments in the arts, athletics, and even service. To my surprise, even the 12-year old commencement speaker used her bully pulpit to sing the praises of the opportunities she had to learn and serve as part of her elementary school experience.

I've worked in youth service and service-learning for 13 years (well--actually 12 years and 10 months). Before then, I organized and participated in more service activities than you can shake a stick at as part of my own K-12 and college education. Nevertheless, I am still deeply moved, surprised, and amazed by the things young people do when given the chance to serve.

Too many people overlook or under-estimate what our nation's youngest citizens can do. This week, The Star-Ledger published an article about what sudents in Newark, New Jersey are doing to revitalize and reclaim their own schools and neighborhoods. In a city where news headlines are dominated by stories of increasing rates of youth violence and tragic losses, this article boasted about the increasing rate of volunteer hours kids provided their community, valued at more than $1.2 million.

Newark's Mayor-Elect Cory Booker recognized and expressed his appreciation for the students' initiative to make a difference. He urged the young people to continue rolling up their sleeves to play an active role in taking back their city.

The Star-Ledger reports the students' efforts were sponsored by "The League Powered by Learning to Give," a school-based community service and service-learning initiative. Several schools and districts across the country conduct similar activities using Learning to Give curriculum and materials.

Read the complete article.
You can also learn more about Learning to Give here: http://www.learningtogive.org/about/

What Kids Can Do, a national nonprofit founded to bring attention to youth voice and youth service, features the contributions of young people who are using storytelling to help inspire and reconnect those affected by Hurricane Katrina: http://www.whatkidscando.org/studentwork/neighborhoods.html

Do you know youth with "can do" spirits? Connect them to the wealth of tools, information and even financial resources available to help young people engage in service and service-learning. Do Something is a national nonprofit with state and local chapters that challenges young people to change the world through citizen action. Do Something offers youth-friendly tipsheets and an online forum to help young people looking for ideas or effective strategies: http://www.dosomething.org/challenges/citizenaction/

Youth Service America offers several mini-grant opportunities to help youth plan and implement service and service-learning activities throughout the year. Currently, Youth Service America is partnering with the Civil Society Institute to provide the Red, White & Green Climate Change Grant. This opportunity offers youth ages 15-25 $500 to implement a service-learning project about climate change. For more information, visit: http://www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm

By the way, my little cousin was awarded a special prize for outstanding citizenship. Her principal fought back tears as she spoke of the service my cousin provided to her fellow students, school and surrounding community. She's only 11. I can't wait to see what she will do next. I'm sure it will be amazing.



Nelda Brown, National Service-Learning Partnership

Isn't It Ironic?

In a recent study provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, it indicated that there was an increase from 59.8 million Americans volunteering in 2002 to 65.4 million in 2005.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/statements_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=396

While there are more interesting statistics in the study, which I recommend viewing, I find it ironic that as more Americans are volunteering or want to volunteer, the government has chosen to decrease funding for programs that enable such opportunities.

Recently, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies recommended its funding levels for various domestic programs including those under the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that promotes volunteerism and administers volunteer programs.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/

The subcommittee's recommendations included significant cuts to the CNCS programs such as Learn and Serve America and AmeriCorps. Learn and Serve America was cut from $37.1 million to $34.2 million, an 8% cut from this fiscal year, but a 20% reduction from its traditional level of $43 million. While AmeriCorps grants were cut $46.7 million (18%) from this year's level of $264.8 million to $218.1 million - an additional cut from the President's requested $258.9 million.

http://snipurl.com/rznr

While the demand for these programs continue to increase, their ability to provide services is greatly diminished with the decrease in funding. There is still a possibility that these programs will not see these funding cuts. But then, that would be ironic.

What Makes a High School Great ? & How to Make High Schools Great for All Students ?

Congratulations to those students, the staff and administration, highlighted in the Newsweek May 8th issue, “What Makes a High School Great.”

It is no easy task to be a nationally recognized high performing school. I was thrilled to find the first sub-heading was titled Creating Good Citizens, though it didn’t erase my disgust and outrage stemmed from reading Time Magazine’s “Drop Out Nation”. More than 500,000 students will drop out this year alone.

When you read the article, ask yourself: Will I get caught up reading the scores and wanting to know what school made the list? Shouldn't we focus on the the How,and not the Who.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12532668/site/newsweek/

http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1181646,00.html

Do we risk becoming complacent as we read about great schools? We know they are the minority. In many unfortunate ways the majority of schools are failing. American youths are suffering from a lack of funding, poorly trained teachers, an inadequate number of teachers and diminishing access to curriculum that encompasses subject-matter beyond basic math and reading. It is our responsibility to give the same or similar opportunities to every student that these students featured in Newsweek are receiving.
When will policy makers, school administrators start looking for the positive deviances among these schools and start offering positive reform strategies?

Apparently reform initiatives including Gates, New School Ventures and the Carnie Corporation of New York are thinking beyond the test scores and asking: “… are we really preparing kids for citizenship?"

There are three main questions that echo in my mind:
1) Do we not owe it to ourselves to highlight positive deviances and try to replicate them?
2) Where is the support for those schools that have not been funded by a reform initiative?
3) What can the parents do whose students’ schools have not benefited from a multi million dollar reform investment?

The Civic Mission of School addresses this issue. With researched based data, they have mounted a campaign to educate policy makers, teachers and administrators about the 6 promising practices approaches to civic learning:
*Instruction in history, law, and government
*Guided discussion of civic and social issues
*Active learning experience such service-learning
*Civic related extracurricular activities
*Simulations of democratic practices and procedures
*Participation in school governance

There is a data bank that teachers can post their lessons and share best practices. Please teachers, get the word out! Share what works, what motivates and engages and inspires your students: http://www.civicmissionofschools.org/

How can parents get more involved? A Gates funded grassroots coalition called Stand Up is advocating parents, teachers, community members stand up and demand people recognize the crisis in education. http://www.standup.org/

Stand Up's mission is to:
*Give parents the tools they need to get their kids the education they deserve.
*Mobilize all Americans to engage in the solution and demand policies that help all students succeed.
*Ensure students receive the support they need to graduate from high school ready for college, work, and citizenship

The Newsweek article is a great example of what good the mass media can do to help highlight positive examples. In order to build on this momentum it is important for us to continue to push education as a primary issue for our local, state and federal policy maker.

We cannot just ask them hard questions. We need to offer positive alternatives and creative answers that address the crisis we have in our education system in America.

- Heather Margolis, National Service-Learning Partnership

Take the Good from This...

Take the Good from This…

As I was glancing over the Washington Post, I came upon an interesting article titled, "Getting Mad About School," written by Post Education Columnist Jay Matthews (Mr. Matthews is also the creator of the ranking system Newsweek used in their article about America's Best High Schools). The article essentially is about pushing the boundaries to improve education and achievement and the good and bad consequences of doing so.

While the piece is a feel-good story, the part that I truly enjoyed was the example of civic learning and advocacy that was used as the premise of the article. Basically, a principal in Houston "...in the guise of a lesson on advocacy in American democracy, had instructed his 70 fifth-graders to call about 20 downtown administrators and complain that nothing had been done to find them a school building for the following year." The article further describes the lesson. "He timed it for a teacher training day when his students had a holiday, but administrators would be in their offices. He gave a lesson on how peaceful change comes in America and gave the students a script to help them out. They practiced the words: "I am an extremely hard-working student. I am part of the KIPP Academy and we were supposed to know where we were going to be next year, but we don't know yet. I wonder if you have any information about where our new building will be. My family and I are very worried about where we're going to be next year. We want to make sure we continue to get a great education."

I really liked the lesson itself described above. What a great way to empower kids. Give them the information and the proper supervision, but also provide them with an opportunity to take that lesson and apply to bettering their own lives and the lives of others. Imagine how the kids in Houston feel knowing that the lesson they learned and the actions they took contributed to improving their educational situation? Think about how they'll feel as they see other kids or their own siblings benefiting from their small contribution. I hope more kids have increased opportunities to take their academic lessons and apply them to services and/or benefits for their communities.

Lastly, I hope more people, specifically the supporters of service-learning, take the lesson on advocacy in the article to heart. We need to make our phonecalls and contact Congress and tell them to restore the traditional funding of $43 million to Learn and Serve America. Hopefully, we'll have similar positive results like the kids!

I've attached the link for the entire article for your reading pleasure...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/06/AR2006060600517.html

Stay Connected to Service-Learning

In the spirit of the National Service-Learning Partnership's year-long campaign to get you connected to the people, resources, and opportunities you need to succeed, the Partnership is launching this blog to help you stay connected over the summer. Consider the Blog your source for all things service-learning. No email, no usernames, no passwords—no problem. This is your chance to stay updated and "in the know" about service-learning news, happenings, issues, and resources whether you're on-the-go or from the comfort of your home.