As identified in the Strategic Plan, BCD plans to implement Service Learning at every grade level at BCD during the next few years. To move this initiative forward, a Service Learning Faculty Committee has been formed and is being chaired by Laura Piasecki. The following excerpts are from a memo Laura sent out this week to BCD faculty to explain the work of the committee and the distinction between community service and service learning:

Service learning is different than community service and we, as a committee, will be working to educate the entire BCD community on what this initiative means to each and every one of us. Service learning projects and initiatives can grow out of discussions during homeroom or advisory groups but they can also come from issues raised in history, math, or even shop class!

The issues that are near and dear to our students’ hearts are the ones they
take the time to discuss (or complain about) with their friends. We, as
teachers, need to listen and look for an opportunity to guide students toward meaningful and ongoing opportunities for service.

In order for service learning to grow organically from our students we have to step back, facilitate, and let them lead. In some cases this may mean that the causes we personally care about need to take a back seat. I know this is hard as many of us care passionately about important issues. but the goal is to help the students discover their passions and concerns about the issues that are important to them. If service learning succeeds, we will implant in our students the idea that each of them has the ability to change the world.