Service Learning Award
Drawing of Parvana's Journey by Sullivan Child
Courtesy of Sullivan Elementary School
NORTH ADAMS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WINS FIRST PRIZE AT NATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Regional Showcase Award Winner
The National Service-Learning Exchange, Atlantic Regional Center, proudly announces North Adams Public Schools as the top display of the Regional Showcase at the 17th Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Philadelphia, PA, as rated by the Regional Showcase Judges. The Regional Showcase highlighted the best service-learning projects in the Atlantic States. All displays illustrated high quality service-learning projects and inspired others to start similar projects. See below for the North Adams press release and other information.
"EDUCATION TO ERADICATE TERRORISM"
Collaborating to aid a struggling school in Afghanistan, students raised community awareness about Afghanistan while honoring a local victim of 9/11/2001. Through comparative analysis of the government and history of
Afghanistan and the U.S, students deepened their understanding of democracy.
Drawing by Afghan Child
Courtesty of David Edwards
The pictures on this page are from one of the many Service Learning activities that occurred and are contained in a powerpoint presentation, "Afghanistan: Then and Now". This was a project between Williams College and North Adams Public Schools students under the direction of Anthropology Professor David Edwards and Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teachers Linda Reardon, Ben Klompus and Sherry Wein.
Drawing by Afghan Child
Courtesy of David Edwards
March 31, 2006
NORTH ADAMS SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM WINS AWARD
The National Service-Learning Exchange announced the winning display of the Atlantic Regional Showcase at the 17th Annual National Service Learning Conference in Philadelphia, PA held March 22-25, 2006 with close to 3000 in attendance. The theme of this year’s conference was “We the People.” The Regional Showcase highlighted the best service-learning projects in the Atlantic States, reviewed by an independent panel of showcase judges. First prize was awarded to the North Adams Public Schools for their district-wide project “Education to Eradicate Terrorism: Afghanistan School Aid Project.” Collaborating to aid a struggling school in Afghanistan, students raised community awareness about Afghanistan while honoring a local victim of 9/11/2001. Through comparative analysis of the government and history of Afghanistan and the U.S., students deepened their understanding of democracy.
In August 2004 a study team of K-12 educators began a partnership with Sally and Don Goodrich of the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation, and Anthropology Professor David B. Edwards of Williams College to deepen their understanding of the Afghanistan people and their country’s needs for rebuilding. Peter Goodrich was a victim in one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. His family decided to memorialize Peter by aiding a struggling school in Afghanistan. In concert with the findings of the report of the Commission on September 11 and their work with Families of September 11th, Peter’s parents formed the belief that educating young Afghan children is paramount to eradicating root causes of violence and terrorism.
The study team partnership resulted in the year-long development of multiple classroom service-learning projects to raise awareness of Afghan culture and the teachings of Islam while building tolerance for diversity and reducing prejudice. The work was advanced by the expertise and connections with ABC affiliate producer/director and humanitarian relief worker Kathleen Rafiq. Every project emphasized the development of literacy skills in alignment with the North Adams Public Schools district goals, and honoring the professional and personal passions of Sally Goodrich as the District Title I Reading Coordinator. Integrated learning was developed through English Language Arts, math, social studies, geography, music, art and technology contents. All K-12 projects were exhibited in a culminating Learning Gallery and Benefit Concert hosted at Drury High School in May 2005. The event raised over $ 2,000.00 for the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation.
Project displays were chosen at the National Service-Leaning Conference based on evidence of the components for high quality service-learning including a clear and compelling community need, strong curriculum connections, student voice and service, meaningful reflection of the learning, and assessment, and for a comprehensive illustration of the conference theme “We the People.”