Seasons of Service

 

Learn & Serve Resolutions

What better way to beat the Holiday Gimmees and observe Red Letter Days than to practice good deeds? Here's a way to discover the true meaning of holidays and heroes. Please join us in celebrating the following Season of Service.


To ring in the new year, Boston's TeachNet Service Learning team encourages students and teachers to assess community issues, identify solutions, and reflect on service through journals and portfolios. Here are some ways to learn and serve all year long.

Reach People in Need Organize book, clothing, or food drives for needy families and battered women shelters ~ Design and distribute a data base report of agencies that help families ~ Record stories for the Blind ~ Perform puppet shows at Deaf organizations ~ Make cards, baskets, and gifts for veterans hospitals, nursing homes, or pediatric units ~ Serve at food pantries, soup kitchens, or homeless shelters.

 

Nurture Youth Invite elementary students to Learning Festivals at middle and high schools ~ Record student New Year's Resolutions on video/audio cassette and e-mail other schools ~ Video skits to share with children in pediatric units ~ Design, word process, and publish books for daycare centers.

 

Honor Generations of Service Share student-made crafts with day care and senior centers ~ Read a classic story or introduce a new one at a nursing home or pre-school ~ Welcome seniors, veterans, or retired teachers to a school performance ~ Shovel sidewalks and run errands for seniors during winter storms.

 

Promote Public Safety Decorate a community tree with peace symbols ~ Post Community Peace posters throughout schools, malls, and popular spots ~ Hold a Safe Driving Rally ~ Distribute flyers on drug-free living ~ Publish guidelines for healthy lifestyles in school & local papers.

 

Salute Citizenship & Community Spirit Hold a community sing-along at a local park ~ Help veterans maintain soldiers' graves ~ Post New Years Resolutions for Responsible Citizens on school/local area bulletin boards, and email to community leaders & government officials.

 

Enhance the Environment Clean up local beaches, parks, or playgrounds ~ Make bird feeders for school gardens ~ Recycle evergreens in compost piles, landfills, & ground cover ~ Present shut-ins with student-grown mini-herb gardens.

 

Related Web Sites:
Calendar of Year Round Ideas for Designated Safe Ride Program
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Peace Corps World Wise Schools Service-Learning Links
Random Acts of Kindness

Email your serving learning ideas to IMPACT II @ High School Renewal