Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education Service-Learning Program

2010-2011Bringing Learning to Life

Dear Readers,

In this booklet you will find service-learning projects representing the 2010-2011 Community Education Service-Learning Program. Supported by Youth Development/Youth Service funds from the state of Minnesota, these projects bring learning to life while improving academic achievement and meeting real community needs.

In partnership with the Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education Service-Learning Program, teachers and students made important connections with community partners and as a result, created a better learning community for us all.

We invite teachers and students to contact us for support in your educational endeavors. We provide individual coaching, funding through mini grants, and training in the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. We can also assist you in making valuable community connections.

If you are an organization with resources to share or know of a community need that can be impacted by students, please consider connecting with the Service-Learning Program.

We look forward to next year’s collaborations with students, teachers, and community, as we all continue strengthening Saint Paul, and the world beyond.

In service,

Isadora Collins Roxie Laugeson Ginny Newman

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What is Service-Learning?Service-learning is a powerful teaching method that integrates community service with academic study to engage students, deepen learning, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. This method brings learning to life for students while making the lessons much more meaningful.

Service-learning is thriving throughout the Saint Paul School District. Through the Community Education Department, a Service-Learning Program has supported this teaching strategy for ten years. The program, staffed with three service-learning specialists, encourages and supports service-learning by:

• Organizing and facilitating training for teachers and staff.

• Providing resources.

• Building and sustaining effective partnerships with public and private companies and organizations.

• Coaching teachers and staff to ensure quality projects are implemented.

• Providing mini grants to teachers & staff with a desire to begin this teaching method.

• Recognizing projects through events, awards and publications.

For assistance or support with a service-learning project, contact a specialist at (651) 325-2675 or visit the website at www.servicelearning.spps.org

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Standards for High QualityService-Learning Practice

Leaders in the service-learning field created evidence-based standards to ensure high-quality service-learning practice. These were broken down into eight components:

Meaningful Service Participants are actively engaged in meaningful and personally relevant service activities. Duration and Intensity Duration and intensity of the project is sufficient to address community needs and meet specified learner outcomes.

Link to Curriculum Project is an intentional instructional strategy which meets learning goals.

Diversity Promotes an understanding of diversity and mutual respect among all participants. Youth Voice Youth have a strong voice in planning, implementing and evaluating service-learning experiences with guidance from adults.

Partnership Collaborating with others for mutual benefit and for meeting a community need.

Progress Monitoring Participants continually assess the quality and progress toward meeting goals and use results to make improvements. Reflection Multiple reflection activities that prompt deep thinking and analysis about oneself and one’s relationship to society are incorporated.

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Transition HandbookRamsey Junior High, Central Senior High,

Highland Park Senior High and Murray Junior High

Teacher: AVID classroom TeachersGrade: 7-12 Community Partner: Travelers Insurance and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)Curriculum Connection: College Readiness Skills

In the spring of 2010, middle school AVID students wrote a "student-to-student" handbook for incoming 7th graders. The handbook addressed topics such as classes, attendance, time management, friends and extra-curricular activities. This year, students expanded on their work by editing and revising the handbook and creating both a seventh and ninth grade version. Students discussed and researched the challenges faced when transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school. Working collaboratively, students determined what information would be important for incoming students to know. Students visited sixth and ninth grade classrooms to discuss potential topics, created a distribution method for the handbook and an electronic media form to go along with the handbook.

“This is a great way for students to not only reflectontheirjuniorhigh/middleschoolorhigh school experience, but also research how other students felt and then create something that will ease the transition for all students.” -Teacher

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Keeping the River CleanBattle Creek Middle School

Teacher: Susan FournieaGrade: 7 Community Partners: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and Ramsey County Master GardenersCurriculum Connection: Science

Seventh grade students explored methods of reducing storm water pollution and the volume of water running into creeks, lakes and wetlands. Utilizing the nearby creek, the class conducted a series of tests measuring elements such as dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and turbidity in the creek. Students learned that by creating a raingarden, they could improve the quality of water that runs off into the creek and the Mississippi River, which is just downstream of the school. Letters were written to residents to encourage participation in reducing pollution and volume of rain water running into wetlands.

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Preserving Battle CreekBattle Creek Middle School

Teacher: Jared Wenisch Grade: 7 Community Partner: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and Ramsey County Master GardenersCurriculum Connection: Science

Seventh grade students worked on improving local habitats through the identification and removal of non-native species along Battle Creek near their schoolyard. Students revitalized school habitat areas by adding native plants to the Battle Creek buffer. This project allowed students to gain a deeper understanding and increased awareness of the complexity of native ecosystems and their role in providing clean water sources and healthy environments for animal life.

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RaingardenBattle Creek Middle School

Students created a raingarden to reduce rain run-off pollution in the nearby creek. Students canoed down through the East Side of St. Paul to study and observe the sub-watershed system connected to the creek. They wrote letters to residents near the school to explain the purpose and benefits of receiving a raingarden built by students. Exploring elements such as surface area and directional flow of rain run-off, students were able to determine the depth and width of a sustainable raingarden. After a site for the raingarden was determined, students worked with the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to construct the garden.

Teacher: Jodi Grote-StumpfGrades: 7 and 8 Community Partner: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District andRamsey County Master GardenersCurriculum Connections: Science

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A Better RaingardenCapitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet

Teacher: Katie MeierGrade: 8 Community Partner: Science Museum of MinnesotaCurriculum Connection: Earth Science

Last year, a rain garden was planted at the entrance of Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented School. While the garden was an improvement over the weed-covered space, there was still a significant amount of work to be done. This year, eighth grade earth science students analyzed how well the raingarden functioned. They then worked with a landscape architect to redesign the garden, adding new plants, mulch and stepping stones. Throughout the year, students created sketches and recorded observations of the garden in nature journals. Students learned basic sketching techniques and spent multiple days outside each season practicing learned techniques.

“This is my last year at Capitol Hill and I’m proud to be able to leave a positive mark behind. The rain garden will make our school look better for years into the future.”- Student

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Fill Your BucketComo Park Elementary

Teachers: Kelly Dudeck, Rita Ladoux, Scott Masini and Susan MunioGrade: K-6Curriculum Connections: Literacy and Leadership

Student Council Members steered the “Fill Your Bucket” campaign to encourage “Cardinal Character;” positive behavior and peer interaction among Como Park Elementary School students. Members of the Council went to each classroom in the school to educate peers about filling someone’s bucket and introduced “Cardinal Character” bookmarks to students. Each time a student demonstrated character, their bookmark was signed by an adult in the building. Once ten signatures were obtained, students were rewarded for their positive actions.

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Influencing Our FutureFarnsworth Aerospace Magnet (PreK- 4)

"A garden begins with a single seed. A story teller nurtures a single seed ...A writer picks a seed to build powerful thoughts...A teacher carefully places the seeds of enlightenment in the hearts and minds of students...The community and concerned members cultivate student growth by bringing their experiences to share and shape future generations of teachers, writers, storytellers and gardeners."- Unknown

Teacher: Jane VegaGrade: 4Community Partner: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed DistrictCurriculum Connections: Science, Writing and Social Studies

This project explored how migration changes the lives of people, animals and communities. Students began their learning by looking at the lifestyles, water and land usage of Dakota Indians before the first immigrants came. Using Lake Gervais as their case study, students compared today’s quality and usage of water and land with that of the past. Students worked to continue the development of raingardens and shoreline restoration projects by collecting, stratifying and preparing young plants for planting at various locations in the community. Students also talked to the community about preservation of water and land.

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Butterfly GardenFarnsworth Aerospace Magnet (PreK- 4)

Teacher: Sherry BrooksGrade: K-4Community Partner: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed DistrictCurriculum Connections: Science, Writing and Art

Farnsworth Aerospace has been converting a section of the school yard into a butterfly garden for the last seven years. This project has provided a wonderful learning experience for students as they have grown plants from seeds in their classrooms, watched them mature and attract butterflies, witness the life cycle of the butterfly and collected seeds for future plants. This school year, students have partnered with Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District to grow plants for lakeshore restoration and the butterfly garden. Farnsworth students are dedicated to preserving their garden for future enjoyment. Students have picked up litter, removed dead growth for composting and weeded, all while learning and writing about weather, plants and insects.

“Farnsworth’sbutterflygarden has been an asset to my children’s school. It promotes community throughout the school and is an inspiration to the neighborhood to include native planting in their own yards.”- Parent

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Providing Comfort to PatientsFrost Lake Magnet

Teacher: Kristin SkrienGrades: 2 and 3 Community Partner: Lakeview Hospital Foundation Curriculum Connections: Language Arts, Art, Math, Government and Citizenship

Second and third grade students from a Frost Lake Magnet’s Extended Day for Learning class partnered with Stillwater Hospital’s Lakeview Foundation to make 22 no-sew blankets for their patients. In preparation, the class discussed ways they could make a difference in their society and the students voted and chose to make blankets for hospital patients. The students worked collaboratively to measure, cut, and tie their blankets. Students also composed a hand-written note telling a little about themselves along with a personal get-well wish they attached to each blanket Upon completion, a representative from the Lakeview Hospital Foundation came to Frost Lake Magnet to receive the gift of blankets. Each student, with smiles of obvious pride in their accomplishment, personally presented their blanket.

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Urban vs. Forest Eco-SystemsHarding Senior High School

Teacher: Jill DannerGrades: 9-12 Community Partner: Eco-EducationCurriculum Connections: Science, Environmental Science and Aociology

What are the differences between the city and rural environments? This question and many more were explored while observing the neighborhood surrounding Harding High School as well as the ecosystem of Wild River State Park. Using photography, drawing, writing, interviewing, video and observation skills, Earth Club members discussed issues within the two environments and found that litter caused major issues within both urban and rural ecosystems. In service, they chose to clean Wild River State Park in hopes of preserving the park for animal species.

“I did not expect to see so much trash in the streets. There was a lot of trash going down the storm sewer. We need to make the community cleaner and ask people to help.”- Student

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Earth Club Tree InventoryHarding Senior High School

Teachers: Jill DannerGrades: 9-12Community Partners: Eco Education and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed DistrictCurriculum Connection: Environmental Science

Invasive insects such as Gypsy Moth and Emerald Ash Borer are a threat to Minnesota trees. Harding Earth Club members were interested in identifying and observing trees on Harding’s property that may become endangered. The property was first divided into zones and then using GPS grids, trees were identified and inspected. Members were surprised to find there were over 200 trees on the 40, acres with more Ash trees than any other variety. Earth Club educated the community about the location of trees and signs of disease in attempts to slow its spread in this East Side Neighborhood.

“One of the best things about Harding is Earth Club. Earth Club teaches us about the different kinds of plants, birds and other things.” -Cha, Student

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Feed My Starving ChildrenHighland Park Junior High

Teachers: Elisabet Falcón, Liz Hathaway-Castelán, Martha Johnson, Ian O’Brien and Sarah RosalesGrades: 7 and 8Community Partner: Feed My Starving Children Curriculum Connections: Spanish Immersion, World Geography and Language Arts

Students researched and developed complex projects related to the topic of world hunger for both World Savvy and Model UN, two youth civic engagement leadership initiatives. Their service-learning project included two trips to Feed My Starving Children. Students spent the morning packaging food (rice, dried vegetables, soy and other ingredients) for children in the Philippines. Food for 50 children for an entire year was packaged and prepared for shipping. In addition, 25 students have formed a subcommittee to work on fundraising to raise and donate funds for Heiffer International/KIVA.org.

“Both World Savvy and Model UN dealt this year with the idea of feeding our world sustainably in the 21st Century. The students had a fun time packing the food while also experiencing the good feeling that comes with doing something significantforothers.”-Teacher

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Helping the Homeless Highwood Hills Elementary

Teacher: Kathy OlsonGrades: K-6Community Partner: House of CharityCurriculum Connections: Reading, Math, Communication and Safety

Students with cognitive disabilities utilized academic goals to help those in need. After talking about homelessness and what it would be like, they decided to make hygiene kits to give to House of Charity, a local nonprofit addressing issues of homelessness. Students made shopping lists, took the city bus to the store, found items and then used math skills to pay for items. Back at school, each student decorated a shoe box and packed hygiene items inside. Every hygiene box included a handmade card and note from a student. The kits were given to the House of Charity to be used for program participants.

“This was a great project because all the students were engaged and able to participate and they were so proud of their boxes.” - Staff member

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Bringing Smiles to PeruL’Etoile du Nord French Immersion

Teacher: Jennifer LaceyGrades: K-6Community Partner: Smile NetworkCurriculum Connection: Social Studies

L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School partnered with the Smile Network in support of their mission of providing palate and cleft lip surgeries for children in remote cities. Iquitos, Peru was the area of focus for this project. Students learned about the region, prepared gifts for the children, assisted with charity mailers and fundraised to purchase “Smiles.” A surgeon from the team of doctors visited the school to explain the mission, goals and importance of providing surgeries in these areas. Students gained a deeper cultural understanding and raised over $3,000, providing six repair surgeries for children born with cleft lip and palate.

“It is so amazing to see our students so engaged and excited to help children in poverty in another country.” – Teacher.

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Reducing the Impact L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School

Teacher: Henriette Ngo-BissoyGrades: 3-5 Community Partners: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, Ramsey County Master Gardeners and Wilderness Inquiry Curriculum Connections: Structures of life, Water Unit, Project Wet, Environments, Erosion and History

Students, with help from Master Gardeners, explored the medicinal value of plants and lifestyles of Native American cultures in hopes of creating sustainable landscapes that honor healthy interaction between plants and animals in ecosystems. In partnership with the Watershed District, fifth graders installed shoreline plants at Keller Lake restoration project. Students created displays used to educate the community about the negative impact of salt at the Watershed District’s Annual WaterFest. As a reflection activity, fourth graders

traveled by canoe tracing the journey of both Dakota Indians and French Canadian voyagers between Lake Gervais and the Mississippi River.

“If students understand the detrimental impact that salt has on plants and in our lakes, they may educate their families that a big amount of salt is not necessary to melt snow in our driveways.”- Teacher

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Achievers Wilderness ExperienceLEAP High School

“The people at the camp, welcomed us. When we went there we didn’t feel like strangers, we feel like…kind of at home.” -Michael, Student

Teacher: Sam DiVitaGrades: 9-12Community Partners: YMCA Multi-Cultural Achievers and YMCA Camp du Nord, YMCA Camp St. CroixCurriculum Connections: English Language Arts, Civic and Community Engagement

The YMCA, in an effort to increase cultural diversity in family camp programming, utilized the input of immigrant students and their families from LEAP High School. Students developed and participated in activities that enabled them to teach others about their ethnicity and to share environmental knowledge from varying cultural perspectives. The students gained skill in public speaking, leadership, and citizenship, while helping their YMCA partners to seek additional ways to increase their cultural proficiency and relevance in their camp programs. After participating in both camps, students shared their experience and knowledge at the Midway Y Family Activity Day in April.

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Coaches: Halima Abdulkar, Kailin Hatlesta, Ashley Huepenbecker, Lan Anh Nguyen and Quy Nguyen Grades: 5 and 6 Community Partners: The Animal Humane Society and Center for Democracy and Citizenship Curriculum Connections: Leadership and Civics

Two *Public Achievement groups at Maxfield chose humane treatment of animals as the issue for their service-learning project. Both groups became educated on this topic by inviting speakers into the classroom, reading articles, and visiting the Humane Society. One group created posters and a song about preventing animal abuse. They designed a pledge, asking people to treat animals well and to report animal neglect if they see it. The other group focused on the abuse and poor conditions in puppy mills. Students visited Senator Barb Goodwin at the State Capitol, author of the “MN Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill.” The students created a petition and collected signatures from parents and community members, advocating passage of this bill. Although the bill was not passed in 2011, students will again have the opportunity to rally behind this issue next year.

*Public Achievement is an initiative created by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, which is a part of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. College students work with young people to help them acquire skills in understanding the democratic process and become civically engaged.

“The Golden Animal Rule... treat animals how you wish to be treated.” –Jonicia, Student

Public Achievement: Animal RightsMaxfield Magnet Elementary School

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Public Achievement: BullyingMaxfield Magnet Elementary School

Coaches: Dysheka Sanders Grades: 5 and 6 Community Partners: St. Peter Claver School and Center for Democracy and Citizenship Curriculum Connections: Leadership, Public Speaking and Language Arts

The goal of this project was to make students aware of what is considered bullying, consequences of bullying and to bring students together to stand against bullying. Students researched statistics of bullying in schools as well as the statistics on suicide due to bullying. They surveyed fourth through sixth grade students in their school to see how many students were victims of bullying. They presented their research at a school assembly. The final project consisted of a street play where bullying situations were displayed to make others aware of what actions are considered to be bullying. The street play was then presented to second through fifth grade students at St. Peter Claver School. Students passed out a petition to end bullying and gave out “Stop Bullying” wristbands to remind students to stand up against bullying.

*Public Achievement is an initiative created by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, which is a part of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. College students work with young people to help them acquire skills in understanding the democratic process and become civically engaged.

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Public Achievement: Gang ViolenceMaxfield Magnet Elementary School

Coaches: David Kim and Chris Burnham Grade: 5 and 6Community Partners: Robin Bell, Melvin Giles, Chaun Webster and Center for Democracy and CitizenshipCurriculum Connections: History, Social Issues and Leadership

The *Public Achievement gang violence prevention group (My-Side Gang-Changers) worked to address gang violence in their community. To spread their mission of ending gang violence, students created and distributed engraved “Stop Gang Violence” wristbands in the community. Students also engaged in a dialogue on the roots and challenges of gang violence, which included conversations on economic inequality and racism.

“Public Achievement is a group to help try to change the world…I want to stop gang violence because it’s affecting my little sister and brother.” –Ronnie, Student

*Public Achievement is an initiative created by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, which is a part of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. College students work with young people to help them acquire skills in understanding the democratic process and become civically engaged.

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Public Achievement: HomelessnessMaxfield Magnet Elementary School

Coaches: Kia Burton and Devin DayGrade: 5 and 6Community Partners: Augsburg College and Center for Democracy and CitizenshipCurriculum Connection: Social Studies

Students from Maxfield Elementary School chose homelessness as their civic engagement project through *Public Achievement. Their strategy was simple and effective—make sandwiches! The group partnered with Campus Kitchen at Augsburg College, an organization that makes food for low-income individuals. Working together, the students made over 200 sandwiches in just under an hour.

“Students learned that helping the less fortunate doesn’t necessarily involve a monetary donation. These students already have all the tools to help change the world around them.”- Public Achievement Coach

*Public Achievement is an initiative created by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, which is a part of Augsburg College in Minneapolis. College students work with young people to help them acquire skills in understanding the democratic process and become civically engaged.

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Books For AfricaObama Service Learning Elementary

Teachers: Rebecca Wade and Christina MarruffoGrades: 5 and 6 Community Partner: Books for Africa Curriculum Connections: Writing and Literature

Fifth and sixth graders used creative writing to foster a relationship with students in Amponsansong, Ghana. Partnering with the co-founder of the school, students learned about the life and culture of Ghana. In return, their students were exposed to American culture. This cross-cultural exchange provided students with a unique opportunity to learn about another culture from a first-hand perspective. Students created and published books that were sent to the students in Amponsansong, Ghana.

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Breakfast With BooksObama Service Learning Elementary

Teachers: Amber Anderson and Janet DelmoreGrades: 1 and 4 Community Partners: Intermediate grades at Obama Service-Learning ElementaryCurriculum Connection: Literacy

Beginning in January, fourth and first grade students met weekly during breakfast to read with one another. The fourth graders became the teachers helping first grade students comprehend readings and gain word recognition. Utilizing fourth grade students as peer reading tutors, first grade readers were able to get direct focused reading instruction, strengthening comprehension and improving reading ability among first grade students.

“Everyonebenefitswhen students work together. The Breakfast with Books program really helped my students with word recognition strategies and understanding the gist of a story.”-Teacher

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Game Time at Winslow CommonsOpen World Learning Community

Teacher: Tom TotushekGrades: 7-12 Community Partner: Winslow Commons Curriculum Standards: Intergenerational Human Development

Secondary students from Open World Learning (OWL) provided assistance in areas of need at Winslow Commons, a nearby assisted living facility. The relationship began when students went to Winslow to sing carols for the holidays. Residents and students enjoyed the experience so much they decided to continue their relationship with one another. Students from OWL began volunteering once a month with distribution of Second Harvest Heartland food. In the spring, students began to facilitate recreational activities for residents once a week. This was an amazing opportunity for both students and residents to increase intergenerational understanding.

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Music & MovementOpen World Learning Community

Teachers: Megan Hall and Gail WarholGrades: 9-12 Community Partners: Bridge View SchoolCurriculum Connections: Service and Music

Students from Open World Learning Community (OWL) helped facilitate a Music and Movement class for the special education students at Bridge View School. They walked to Bridge View one afternoon each week to implement a music class that incorporated movement with rhythm and structure, under the direction of a music therapist. In preparation for the classes, the high school students developed course rubrics and gave input on music selection. Bridge View students had the opportunity to engage in a class with mainstream students of similar ages. OWL students broadened their understanding of disabilities, learned the importance of reliability, responsibility and compassion. These sessions fostered new friendships for all students involved.

“I feel what we were doing is helping our community because we are helping kids who don’t move around much togettheirbloodflowing....I soon realized that they liked the pressure on their shoulders and the more the better. You could tell by the smiles on their faces. I think that was the best part for me, was to see them smile. I learned from these kids, they’re just like us.” - Ruby, Student

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OWL Against Hunger Open World Learning Community

Teacher: Tim Leone-GettenGrades: 7-12Community Partner: ImpactLivesCurriculum Connection: Social Studies

In the spring of 2008, Open World Learning Community (OWL) began a partnership with Kids Against Hunger and ImpactLives, non-profit organizations that provide nutrient-rich, high protein food as emergency relief to starving people around the world. The entire K-12 student body participated in a food packing event that year packing over 47,000 meals. Students energized by their service in 2009, decided to expand to two days of packing at OWL. In addition, they asked Adams Spanish Immersion and Groveland Elementary to participate in this enriching opportunity as well. This school year, OWL continued their relationship with Adams and also invited students from Nokomis Montessori to participate.They packed 500,000 meals while learning a great deal about world hunger and our role in ending it.

“It’s great to know that we’re able to feed so many people by working together and having fun at the same time!”-12th grade, Student

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Community RaingardenWashington Technology Secondary

Teachers: Angela Peterson and Susan MontgomeryGrades: 7 and 8Community Partner: Ramsey County Master Gardeners Curriculum Connection: Science and English Language Arts

Seventh and eighth graders engaged in learning about water quality and human impact on ecosystems by surveying erosion on their school grounds and assessing water quality at nearby Lake McCarron. Students learned about the interdependence of living organisms and the natural environment through the DNR MNAqua/Project Wet curricula. Students explored economic growth versus environmental impacts by participating in decision making activities. They found that the most predominant need they could address was the storm water runoff causing erosion in their schoolyard. They expanded the school’s two raingardens by adding native plants. The area around the front yard garden is now becoming a “community space” where students can sit outdoors to enjoy their lunch.

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”- Mahatma Gandhi

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Book Buddies Service-Learning Program

With funds from a Learn and Serve America grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education Service-Learning Program developed a Book Buddy Program framework. This program aligns district curriculum with evidence-based elements of cross-age tutoring and service-learning to maximize program outcomes. The goal of the Book Buddy Program is to deepen and enhance the impact of the numerous book buddy programs currently being implemented across the district with proven elements of positive results. Furthermore, this program strives to improve students’ attitudes toward reading, resulting in increased literacy skills and much more.

Seven schools, eleven teachers and over 300 students participated in the pilot program this year. The teachers used a toolkit developed by the service-learning staff, which includes the program framework, student tutor training, reading attitude assessments and tools for ensuring program quality.

Highland Park Junior High & Adams Spanish Immersion Junior high Spanish Immersion and 2nd grade Spanish Immersion studentsTeachers: Martha Johnson, Brett Bakko and Brian Rice

This project was made possible in part with funding from a Learn and Serve Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA#94.004A, Learn and Serve.

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Book Buddies Service-Learning Program

L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School

ELL 3rd and 5th grade tutoring Kindergarten and 2nd grade ELL

students Teachers: Christi Schmitt

Open World Learning Community 9th grade tutoring 3rd and 4th grade

students Teachers: Tom Totushek and Phyllis Marsili

Humboldt Senior High & Riverview Elementary

Senior High tutoring 3rd grade studentsTeachers: Julie Ketterling, Isabella

Listopad and Katherine Perron

Museum Magnet4th grade tutoring 1st grade students

Teachers: Heather Smith and Jessica Pratt

The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) Generator Go Green (G3) Initiative has sponsored environmentally focused STEM service-learning projects at both Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet 5-8 and Obama Service Learning Elementary. For the past two years, students at these schools have joined 26 other schools in three geographic areas (Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Chicago and the Gulf Coast) in working to identify issues of environmental sustainability in their communities. Students worked to develop projects that address energy conservation needs.

Generator Go Green (G3)Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet 5-8 and Obama Service Learning Elementary

This project was made possible in part by the National Youth Leadership Council with funding from a Learn and Serve Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA#94.004A, Learn and Serve.

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Generator Go Green (G3) Farnsworth Aerospace Magnet 5-8

Teachers: David Barrett, Karen Mueller and Cindy SchreiberGrade: 6Community Partners: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District,Ramsey County Master Gardeners and University of MN-FisheriesCurriculum Connections: Science, Math and English Language Arts

Sixth grade students at Farnsworth Aerospace demonstrated the knowledge they learned about the importance of clean water by creating a video, brochure and public service announcement which will be presented to the public. Students learned how to shrink their own environmental footprint by working with their local watershed district and University of Minnesota scientists and engineers. Students helped with shoreline restoration at Keller Lake and participated in counting and measuring Carp to learn why this species of fish is invasive to the Phalen chain of lakes.

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Generator Go Green (G3) Obama Service Learning Elementary

Teachers: Roni Maas, Mike Portesan, Juanita Robertson and Tracie Sandin-Osvold Grade: 6Community Partners: H20 For LifeCurriculum Connections: Science and Math

Sixth grade students learned about the water filtration process and gained a deeper understanding of clean water issues in schools and communities around the world. Committed to informing their community about the need for clean water, they partnered with H2O For Life to educate and raise funds for clean water wells in Africa.

Teachers: Jill Christopherson, Tiffany Goldman, Mary Jeffers and Erin LamkinGrade: 5Curriculum Connections: Science and English Language Arts

Fifth grade students worked to lessen their environmental footprint by researching alternatives to toxic cleaning products. Students demonstrated their knowledge by writing, illustrating and publishing a brochure which highlights changes people can make in their everyday lives to effect positive change. The brochure will be distributed to the community.

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Service-Learning Resources

Many resources exist to assist teachers, staff, community organizations and businesses to organize service-learning projects. Please call the Saint Paul Public Schools Service-Learning Specialists for assistance at 651-325-2675.

BooksThe Busy Family’s Guide to Volunteering by Jenny Lynn Friedman, Robins Lane Press, 2003.

The Complete Guide to Service Learning: Proven, Practical Ways to Engage Students in Civic Responsibility, Academic Curriculum and Social Action, by Cathryn Berger Kay, Free Spirit publishing, 2004.

The Kid’s Guide to social Action, by Barbara Lewis, Free Spirit Publishing, 1998.

Growing to Greatness 2009, The State of Service-Learning by National Youth Leadership Council http://www.nylc.org/pages-programs-initiatives-Growing_to_Greatness_The_State_of_Service_Learning_Project?oid=3698.

WebsitesCampus Compactwww.compact.org

Corporation for National and Community Servicewww.nationalservice.gov

Learn and Serve Americawww.learnandserve.gov

Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghousewww.servicelearning.org

National Service-Learning Partnershipwww.service-learningpartnership.org

National Youth Leadership Councilwww.nylc.org

St. Paul Public Schools Service-Learning Programwww.service-learning.spps.org

Saint Paul Public Schools

Service-Learning ProgramRondo Education Center

560 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103Telephone: (651) 325-2675 E-mail service-learning@spps.org

www.servicelearning.spps.org

Saint Paul Service-Learning SpecialistsIsadora Collins: isadora.collins@spps.orgRoxie Laugeson: roxie.laugeson@spps.orgGinny Newman: ginny.newman@spps.org

Board of EducationElona Street-Stewart, ChairJean O’Connell, Vice Chair

Keith Hardy, ClerkAnne Carroll, TreasurerJohn Brodrick, Director

Kazoua Kong-Thao, DirectorJeff Risberg, Director

AdministrationValeria Silva, Superintendent

Kate Wilcox-Harris, Chief Academic OfficerLynn Gallandat, Director of Community Education

Kristin Keller, Community Programs ManagerDebi Campobasso, Community Education Coordinator