1. Service-Learning Contact Information

2. Teacher Fellows (see overview)

Monique Birckett, 2001, Crisfield High Academy, 410-968-1178, mbirckett@somerset.k12.md.us

Christian Shelter Visit

9th grade Government students learned about and provided service to clients of a Christian Shelter in Salisbury, Maryland. The students were also engaged in a directed writing exercise and discussion on what service-learning meant to them.  

In 2005, our students in The Academy were engaged in a multifaceted service-learning project entitled, “Helping Those in Need”. The 8^th and 9^th grade students embraced the idea of completing a broad spectrum of mini service projects that impacted the lives of many people in need.

Some efforts completed early in the year were:

§         Disaster Relief- In preparation for this project, students completed lesson plans from FEMA and learned statistics about those displaced by recent natural disasters. Needs were discussed, and brainstorming was done that led to ways we could help. Health kits were created and sent to Biloxi, Mississippi. Cards were made and sent to children in shelters in El Paso, Texas.

§         Harvest for the Hungry- Lessons were taught informing students of the causes of hunger and statistics of hunger in America. Stereotypes and misconceptions were discussed. A canned food drive was conducted, with the collected food being given to a local shelter.

§         Relay for Life- Preparation involved lessons about cancer and statistics about cancer on the Eastern Shore. Speakers from the Cancer Society and Coastal Hospice addressed student questions and concerns. Students decorated terra cotta pots and planted flowers that were sold to raise money for Relay for Life.

Additional projects filled our school year, along with shelter and local nursing home visits.

Walk-Jump-Shoot-A-Thon

A team of 6th grade students raised money for a local homeless shelter through a walk/jump/shoot-a-thon. We presented the money to a shelter representative at a celebration luncheon attended by the top fundraisers. In the spring, we divided the students among our 3 or 4 local shelters and they helped the shelters with various tasks (i.e. plant flowers, scrub and clean, wash laundry, paint, do yard work, etc.).

Kathy Crockett, 1995, The Academy @ Washington High School, 410-651-0480, kcrockett@somerset.k12.md.us  (left system)

For the past 2 years, my involvement with service-learning has been with the Joseph House Village in Salisbury, MD. Our service-learning group has tackled numerous projects, such as: clearing an area for a playground, and conducting a canned food drive. To ease the burden of the shelter employees and residents the students assist through housecleaning, painting and landscaping projects.