The Learn and Serve Program: Who We Are
Forest Park High School is committed to developing community-minded citizens and engaging external stakeholders from the greater community process. In 2000, the school instituted a for-credit service learning class for juniors and seniors called Learn and Serve. One hundred volunteer hours in a community based project of the student's choice and design is required of each participating student during the academic year. A grant from the WIN-WIN Strategies Foundation for academic year 2004-2005 enabled the school to expand the program and fund a Learn and Serve Coordinator position overseeing service learning for the entire Forest Park High School pyramid. Shannon Geraghty, the new Learn and Serve Coordinator, has a long track record of engaging students of all ages in community service. She is building an excellent example of greater community collaboration to benefit both students and external stakeholders alike.
What We Do
The Forest Park Learn and Serve Program acknowledges the simple fact that one person can make a tremendous difference. The primary goals of the Learn and Serve Program are twofold, namely, (1) to develop citizens who become and remain committed to community service, and (2) to engage external stakeholders in relationships to benefit the school and the greater community, helping both to reach their goals. After selecting the volunteer activity in the beginning of the school year, each student will set goals and objectives, and research their topic before beginning their service activity. Each student also maintains a portfolio with records of their volunteer hours and reflections on their service. Periodic presentations of the projects are also performed. Please visit the project section of this web page to see the projects are students are currently engaged with and have completed in the past.
Partners
Partnerships are established with the community to assist students in the identification of community needs, to develop an awareness of the appropriateness of an organized response to the needs, and to develop and implement a plan that meets these needs. Here is a list of our current partners.
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Schools
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| Henderson Elementary School | Montclair Elementary School |
| Ashland Elementary School | |
| Pattie Elementary School | |
| Washington-Reid Elementary School | |
| Organizations and Companies | |
| Special Olympics | Dawson Beach Transitional Homes |
| Partnership Prince William Volunteer Action Center | Students Working to Advance Technology (SWAT) |
Links
Some of Our Projects :
- Tutoring at local elementary and middle schools
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Habitat for Humanity
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Adopt-a-Highway
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Recycling
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USO Care Packages
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Washington-Reed Hospital Fund Rasing and Visit to Amputee Soldiers with Defense Secretary
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Computer Recycling and Donations through SWAT
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Tsunami Victims' Fundraiser
- Animal Shelter Volunteer
- Homeless Shelter
