Over the next few weeks, Evergreen students will be engaging in some community service initiatives, including the Stephen's Backpacks Used Toy and Book Sale (led by our grade one classes) and the Mayor's Annual Food Bank Drive through Can-struction Jr. (led by Ms. Goodwin's and Mrs. Caravan's classes). For the students, these are valuable learning opportunities that not only build their academic skills (counting money, writing, scientific investigation and problem solving...) but also enrich their social skills, sense of belonging and community, and respect for diversity.
From ASCD Express (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development):
"Service learning engages young people in meeting community needs as a way of learning and applying their knowledge and skills. Research has shown that when schools implement high-quality service learning programs, students become more actively engaged in schoolwork, improve their academic skills, and become more likely to volunteer throughout their lives. Students are also more likely to develop personal and social skills such as conflict management, respect for diversity, empathy, and social responsibility. In addition, schools benefit by forming important partnerships with community agencies, and communities benefit by having their needs directly met (Billig, 2000, 2005, 2009; Furco & Root, 2010)."1
From ASCD Express (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development):
"Service learning engages young people in meeting community needs as a way of learning and applying their knowledge and skills. Research has shown that when schools implement high-quality service learning programs, students become more actively engaged in schoolwork, improve their academic skills, and become more likely to volunteer throughout their lives. Students are also more likely to develop personal and social skills such as conflict management, respect for diversity, empathy, and social responsibility. In addition, schools benefit by forming important partnerships with community agencies, and communities benefit by having their needs directly met (Billig, 2000, 2005, 2009; Furco & Root, 2010)."1
You can find out more about Stephen's Backpacks and the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank by clicking the images above. Talking with your children at home about their involvement in these projects can go a long way in helping children to develop those wonderful characteristics we value so much as an engaged and supportive community.
While these projects are being led by certain classes, all Evergreen students are encouraged to participate by making a donation to one or both of these community organizations. Detailed information about both the Used Toy and Book Sale (Dec.1-4) and Evergreen's Canstruction project (donations by Dec. 5 please!) is available on our school Website and in the December weekly newsletters.
1 Billig, Shelley H. Service learning projects reinforce character education. ASCD Express, retrieved November 27, 2014 from
http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol5/514-billig.aspx
While these projects are being led by certain classes, all Evergreen students are encouraged to participate by making a donation to one or both of these community organizations. Detailed information about both the Used Toy and Book Sale (Dec.1-4) and Evergreen's Canstruction project (donations by Dec. 5 please!) is available on our school Website and in the December weekly newsletters.
1 Billig, Shelley H. Service learning projects reinforce character education. ASCD Express, retrieved November 27, 2014 from
http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol5/514-billig.aspx