Seasons of Service

 

'Tis the Season for Learning and Serving

What better way to beat the Holiday Gimmees and observe Red Letter Days than to practice good deeds? Here's a way to discover the true meaning of holidays and heroes. Please join us in celebrating the following Season of Service.


To ensure that holidays are for everyone, Boston's TeachNet Service Learning team encourages students and teachers to reflect on seasonally related issues, brainstorm solutions, and record community experiences in journals and portfolios. Here are some learn and serve ideas that.

Reach People in Need Organize book, toy, or food drives for needy families and battered women shelters ~ Design and distribute a data base report of agencies that help families ~ Record stories for the Blind ~ Perform puppet shows at Deaf organizations ~ Make holiday cards, baskets, and gifts for veterans hospitals, nursing homes, or pediatric units ~ Serve at food pantries, soup kitchens, or homeless shelters.

 

Nurture Youth Invite elementary students to Learning Festivals at middle and high schools ~ Record student holiday customs on video or audio cassette and e-mail other schools ~ Video holiday skits to share with children in pediatric units ~ Design, word process, and publish "Festivals of Light" books for daycare centers.

 

Honor Generations of Service Share student-made holiday decorations with day care and senior centers ~ Read a classic story or introduce a new one at a nursing home or pre-school ~ Welcome seniors, veterans, or retired teachers to a school holiday dinner ~ Shovel sidewalks and run errands for seniors during winter storms.

 

Promote Public Safety Decorate a community tree with peace symbols ~ Post Community Peace posters throughout schools, malls, and popular spots ~ Hold a Safe & Healthy Holidays Rally ~ Distribute flyers on avoiding substance abuse ~ Publish guidelines for safe and sound celebrations in school & local papers.

 

Enhance the Environment Clean up local beaches, parks, or playgrounds ~ Make bird feeders for school gardens ~ Recycle evergreens in compost piles, landfills, & ground cover ~ Present shut-ins with student-grown mini-herb gardens.

 

Related Web Sites:
December Days Ten Activities to Celebrate a Month of Special Days

Peace Corps World Wise Schools Service-Learning Links
Random Acts of Kindness

Email your ideas on serving and learning to IMPACT II @ High School Renewal