October 2008
by Chris Martin and Boyd Trotter
The Service Learning Academy accepted the National Service Challenge!
Homelessness and Poverty
Students studied the issue of homelessness and poverty in Central Florida and wrote public service announcements to bring awareness to the issue and break stereotypes. A school-wide drive to collect clothing, sleeping bags, tents, hygiene products and canned food was launched during the challenge week. All donated items will be given to our partner, the Health Care Center for the Homeless.
Academy Marketing Blitz
During the challenge week, academy students in 5 classes studied how to make a public service announcements. We made announcements promoting service learning and the National Challenge. We also created homelessness and poverty projects, environmental issues and to promote awareness on other issues we are studying and implementing related service learning projects with our community partners.
Students have written scripts and are creating academy service learning videos that will be marketed to school board members, and our superintendent to raise awareness. Our goal is to have service learning instituted in all Orange County Public Schools. After editing we will put the best videos on You-Tube.
Students in the service learning council have been writing articles for the Spirit, our service learning newsletter, and for this web-site.
Serve America Act
The Serve America Act was announced in New York at the ServiceNation Summit in September. Both presidential candidates and other celebrities were there to discuss the importance of service. Some of us watched the program on CNN. (Time-CNN has a website to get more information.) Even if you missed it, you can help too! Go to the web site Service Nation to learn more about this bill and watch the forum, sign a declaration of service, and TAKE ACTION!
The Serve America Act is an important piece of legislation that requires attention from all service learning students across the nation. The 5 core service learning classes studied the bill and then during the week of the National Service Challenge, we wrote letters to our U.S. Senators, Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson. We wrote to persuade them to push for passage of this bill and we told them about the positive effects the legislation would have on our nation!
What will the bill do? "It will address national problems by increasing volunteerism and service among Americans of all ages."Voices for Service summarizes the bill:
The introduction of S. 3487 is the first step towards the passage of a comprehensive national service reauthorization bill that will build off the success of the existing national service programs. Programs like AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America have not been reauthorized in 15 years and legislation is needed to help strengthen and expand the federally supported service initiatives, stimulate community volunteerism, and increase accountability and efficiency within the administration of the programs. S. 3487 builds and expands the national service infrastructure to further address critical community needs while developing civic competencies in those who participate.What can you do?
Please join us in writing to your US Senators to ask them to support this legislation. For Florida students you can write to:
Senator Mel Martinez
Washington, DC Office
United States Senate
356 Russell Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
or
Orlando Office
315 Robinson Street
Landmark Center 1, Suite 475
Orlando, Fl 32801
Senator Bill Nelson
Washington, DC Office
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
or
Orlando Office
Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 410
Orlando, FL 32801
To locate addresses for your senators go to U.S. Senate web site.
