The purpose of Leadership Development is to introduce the students to the basic principles of leadership and an understanding of how to apply them to everyday life. This course will allow the student to examine their own leadership potential and connect with leaders within their local community. Students will explore various forms of literature to identify leaders in the global community.  Students will apply their leadership skills to produce a service-learning project as a member of the class and engage in reflective activities.  Students will develop and maintain a cumulative portfolio as a final project.

Service Learning is not the same as volunteering, it is an equal balance of service that meets community needs and the learning that individuals experience through the process.  "Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and stregnthen communities."  Learn and Serve America
Service-Learning is a natural pathway that aligns with 21st Century Skills.

There are four types of service-learning:

• Direct Service - face-to-face interaction with people or the community
• Indirect Service - working behind the scenes to support the community
• Advocacy - bringing awareness to the community about a challenge or cause
• Research Service Learning - surveys, studies, evaluations, experiments, data gathering, interviewing

Elements of Service-Learning:

• Investigation
• Preparation
• Action
• Reflection
• Demonstration/Celebration

National K -12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice:

1. Meaningful Service
2. Links to the Curriculum
3. Reflection
4. Diversity
5. Youth Voice
6. Partnerships
7. Progress Monitoring
8. Duration and Intensity

 Learn and Serve

Learn and Serve is an elective class which assists the student with developing an appreciation of the concept of service to the community. Students will develop an understanding of skills necessary to evaluate the impact of service to others. The class will have discussions with public officials and community leaders. Students must perform 70 hours of volunteer service, reflect on their experience and maintain a portfolio as a class requirement.

Service + Learning = Service-Learning

STUDENTS SERVING STAFFORD

Students Serving Stafford allows students in grades 9-12 to earn independent study credit through community service. To earn 1 credit, students must maintain a portfolio to document 140 hours of community service, reflect on experiences and present an exit project.  Brochures are also available in the Guidance Office.

 MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of Leadership Development is to introduce the students to the basic principles of leadership and an understanding of how to apply them to everyday life. This course will allow the student to examine their own leadership potential and connect with leaders within their local community. Students will explore various forms of literature to identify leaders in the global community.  Students will apply their leadership skills to produce a service-learning project as a member of the class and engage in reflective activities.  Students will develop and maintain a cumulative portfolio as a final project.