Service Learning is a pedagogy which promotes students using their education as a force for good. Service Learning differs from community service (volunteering) because it is integrated into lessons and units that students are working on, then integrates it into our local or global community.
By rejuvenating Service Learning into Experiential Learning opportunities, the school is able to maximize the benefits of our students interacting with our local and global communities. Students are educated, empowered and engaged with the sense of global mindedness and responsibility towards our earth, humanity and other important causes. We believe that proactive, responsible young people are essential for overcoming problems in our world. Our students are challenged to use critical thinking and problem solving skills in the context that provide both coursework content and experience because service learning deals with numerous problems in complex situations. Each one of our students has the opportunity to get out and make a difference in the world around them.
Most of our success with Service Learning is credited to the partnerships that we have been able to create and sustain over the years. Our students work with a variety of NGOs, research sites, 501c3's, etc. to complete projects. We sincerely thank all of these organizations and individuals for their continued support and partnership in positively impacting our local and global community.
Core Values of Service Learning:
Learn
We keep our minds open to the acquisition of new skills, information and life perspectives that expand our competency and fulfillment as individuals.
Engage
We strive towards the development of depth within local and global partnerships through open communication and active involvement.
Evolve
We recognize the complexity of communities and the ever-shifting nature of human social dynamics. Therefore, we are committed to identifying changes in needs and to developing our projects as necessary.
Twelve Standards of Quality Service Learning Practice:
Direct Service: Students have face-to-face contact with the service recipients. For example: tutoring; serving meals at a homeless shelter; working with the elderly in a nursing home, etc.
Indirect Service: Students perform a service without having face-to-face contact with the recipient. Usually resources are channeled to help alleviate a problem. For example: food & clothing drives; walk-a-thons or fundraisers; environmental projects, etc.
Advocacy: Students educate others about a particular issue with the goal being to eliminate the cause of a particular problem. For example: writing letters to legislators or editors; preparing and displaying posters, plays, or other educational materials for others, etc.
Service, Charity and Fundraising at ISB
Mission and Purpose The mission, in partnership with parents, is to inspire students to reach their unique potential and “contribute positively to society” in the local and global community.
The purpose of service is to:
Enhance the development of the whole child
Positively impact both the recipient and the provider of service
Enhance and encourage a sense of compassion and social responsibility in the adults who contribute to service or charity projects
Definitions
Service – the act of serving or giving to others by community (usually part of the
service learning by students)
Charity – donations or generous actions to aid the poor, ill or helpless (usually part of charitable giving by parent groups)
Fundraising – the raising of money to support charity or service efforts by students or parents
Guidelines For Service, Charity Work, And Fundraising When students learn through service to others, it is important that they participate in the action of serving, whether through actual hands-on experiences or through fund-raising for a specific cause or charity.
Determine goals for endeavor with adult supervisor and receive Approval for Event Form available from Divisional Office or Communications Director
Host service or charitable event with proper logistics and support
Ensure to Close and De-brief on event, depositing funds and completing Activity Report within five days of event.
When money is to be raised in support of a service project or charity, specific guidelines must be adhered to as outlined. Proper paperwork must be completed, and approval by a divisional principal or designee will be required prior to engagement in the fundraising activity. (See Fundraising Proposal Form)
Student service efforts will be encouraged in the following areas:
Service projects sponsored by mentoring groups, Student Council, CAS, Interact, Habitat for Humanity, Roots and Shoots, YLI, Eagle Scouts, etc. in accordance with the school's mission
Student Council-sponsored events to raise money for student activities
Service projects to connect with other schools
Parent charitable efforts will be encouraged in the following areas:
Charitable donations for specific causes (orphanages, habitat protection, disaster relief, retirement home improvements, local school improvements, etc.) in accordance with the school's mission
Generous actions to lend aid or support to local schools, orphanages or groups/ individuals in need