Community Service-Learning

Join us for National Learn & Serve Challenge week: October 6-12, 2008

October 6-12, 2008

Learn and Serve Challenge

Let's make sure service-learning is not the best kept secret in Massachusetts. Join your peers from around the state and nationwide to shine the spotlight on service-learning in your schools and community.

What is the National Learn & Serve Challenge?

The National Learn & Serve Challenge, October 6-12, 2008, is a concentrated week of special events and activities designed to spotlight service-learning successes around the country. It is also designed to show support for Learn and Serve America and inspire other schools and communities to launch their own service-learning initiatives.

What Can You Do?

Below is a list of simple, but important ways you can participate:

1. Host a service-learning t-shirt or button day at your school or organization. Visit the Learn & Serve Challenge Online Store where you may purchase buttons, t-shirts, and other items on an as-needed basis. Use the Host a Button or T-Shirt Day Activity Tip Sheet for more planning hints and good ideas.

Online Store: http://www.cafepress.com/lschallenge

Host a Button or T-Shirt Day Tip Sheet:

http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/sponsor.php

If you're looking for a cost-effective way to show your service-learning pride, create your own stickers using labels. Just email nslp@aed.org to receive a copy of the Learn & Serve Challenge logos that you can use to create your own stickers, buttons, or t-shirts.

2. Make a presentation to your local school board and/or city council.

   Make sure service-learning is not the best kept secret in your school or community. Use the Challenge as an opportunity to make key leaders aware of how service-learning is transforming lives and improving schools and communities right in their own backyard. Download the Make a Presentation Activity Tip Sheet to learn more.

   Board Presentation Tip Sheet:

   http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/makeschoolboard.php

3. Include a service-learning update in your school or organization's newsletter or website. Download sample text for newsletters, email announcements, and website features.

   Sample Text: http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/feature.php

4. Show the Bring Learning to Life Public Service Announcement or another service-learning video during an upcoming staff or board meeting. Make plans to show the video to local community leaders and civic or service clubs, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Kiwanis, or Rotary Clubs. Download the public service announcement to your computer or request a free copy today.

   PSA: http://www.servicelearning.org/lsa/bring_learning/

   And here's the most important part. Once you decide how your school or organization is going to participate in the National Learn & Serve Challenge, let us know how you're going to Accept the Challenge. Add your local event or activity to the listing of activities updated on the website regularly so that we can spread the news about how people are accepting the Challenge around the country. Also, be sure to email Kristen McKinnon, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's service-Learning specialist and let her know what you are planning.

   Accept the Challenge today!

   http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/acceptthechallenge.php