Whitman-Hanson RSD Community-Service Learning Council Meeting Agenda 10/18/10 Icebreaker Introductions Welcome from Asst. Superintendent Michelle Roy Community Service vs. Service-Learning Set-up/Purpose/Goals of Council Questions/Concerns/Needs

Icebreaker Free Association Using chart paper, generate as many words/phrases that connect to the key word – Do not discuss, just write Example: Teleconferencing – “saves money", "saves time", "impersonal", "need to see other people", "get distracted", "sound quality,” etc.

Breaking down the Icebreaker Comfort in a group setting forges productivity Benefits of Icebreakers: – get creative juices flowing – increase the exchange of ideas – establish team identity, – create a sense of community. Free Association reveals what people are thinking, similarities in viewpoints, and possibly even problem areas or topics that need addressing or further discussion.

Introductions Teachers/Students: – Name – Representing (school /grade) – One thing you hope to accomplish this year (CSL related) Community Partners – Name – Representing (organization) – One thing you hope this Council do for/with your organization

Welcome from Central Office Michelle Roy, Assistant Superintendent

Community Service One-time or multiple time event or act Does not connect to academic outcomes May occur in or out of school

Service-Learning Academic Integrity – Each project has clearly defined learning objectives that relate to state learning standards and local curricula Student Ownership – Students share in decision-making with adults, and adults share in learning with student – acting as partners and coaches rather than experts Apprentice Citizenship – Real Need + Community Partner= Apprentice Citizenship – Students learn about civic engagement through partnerships with active community members working on local needs

Examples Student Council Organizes a Food Drive Students learn about the needs of the community food pantry, and organize a food drive, collecting data on types of items needed vs. items donated. Students follow up by sharing data with other students and have a follow-up drive two months later, highlighting areas/items needing special attention

Examples, Cont. Students in high school sign up to participate at the South Shore Habitat for Humanity Birdhouse Show and Sale. Students in the high school learn about the economic hardship and issues surrounding affordable housing. They research cost of living for MA and compare it with other states. After hearing from the local affiliate, students plan to raise awareness by holding a “Shanty Town” fundraiser. They create a video to be shown on local cable networks to document the process of creating and participating in the event, as well as donate all proceeds to the local Habitat office.

Set-up of Meetings Community partners and students at every other meeting One Training Item per meeting Meetings will generally run 3:45-4:30, with 15 minutes (4:30-4:45) built in to: – Meet as a school team – Conference by Grade Level – Confer with Community Partner(s) – Use Computer, Plan, etc. – Speak with “CSL Guides”

Purpose & Goals 1.Strengthen Our Practice in CSL 1.Learn about and/or discuss one aspect best practice at each meeting 2.Communicate 1.As a District 2.With Community Partners 3.Increase the flow and exchange of information regarding CSL 1.Who is doing CSL projects? 2.How can we support the increase of CSL in our schools and district?

Upcoming Meetings 11/8 at 3:45 in high school library; Teachers Information to bring back to each school MLK day of Service in January 12/13 3:45 in high school library; Full Council Partners HW: How can we help you? What are your needs? How can you support the academic requirements of CSL?

Thank you!! "There are two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give." Edward Arlington Robinson