February 27, 2008Florida Representative Rick Kriseman’s (D-Pinellas) and Senator Mike Fasano (R-Pasco) have filed a bill (HB659/SB1498) in support of Service Learning. Teachers and students engaged in service-learning projects and activities are encourage to provide information about your service-learning projects to your state legislators. The officers of the Timber Creek High School Service Learning Academy will be travelling to Tallahassee in mid-April to share some information about service-learning and how it has impacted students in Orange County.
The bill entitled, An Act Relating to Service Learning in the Public Schools, encourages "school districts to initiate, adopt, expand, and institutionalize service learning programs, activities, and policies in kindergarten through grade 12; defining service learning;providing for department assistance to a school district that elects to implement service-learning activities; requiring development and adoption of service-learning courses; authorizing service-learning activities to count toward high school graduation or academic award requirements; encouraging school districts to include service learning as part of courses or activities required for high school graduation or receipt of academic awards; providing an effective date."
Florida Learn and Serve has set up a Media Kit page on their web site with excellent resources for spreading the word about service-learning! From their web-site:
"Put simply, people are not aware of Learn & Serve America or that it is part of the National Service Program. Because of this, its budget has been cut for three straight years. If this fine program’s light is not brought out from under a bushel, its future is bleak. The tools and tips provided on this web page are designed to help you make others aware of the positive impacts of your Learn & Serve activities.
We must make a strong effort to inform Florida’s congressional delegation of how this grant benefits students and communities in Florida. There are no restrictions on providing information or inviting officials to visit your project, and having your students do so is a good service-learning project. We urge you and your students to utilize these resources to expand awareness of your service-learning efforts."
The media kit folder includes the following :
Florida Learn & Serve Cover Letter (PDF)
Florida Learn & Serve Logos for inclusion on materials
Florida L&S Talking Points 2008
Sample Formal Letter to Elected Officials (WORD DOCUMENT)
Sample Press Release Letter (WORD DOCUMENT)
Public Relations and Marketing Tips (PDF)
Additional Resources for Supporting Service-Learning Efforts (PDF)
Service Learning Website Resources (PDF)
Please help spread the news about the great impact service-learning is having in classrooms and schools throughout Orange County! If you have a story you would like to share, we will post it here!
