"Change only happens when ordinary people get involved and get engaged.
And they come together and demand it."
President Barack Obama, Farewell Speech, January 10. 2017
Yes, "WE CAN" /
So this is an amazing story. And seriously inspiring.
A few years ago, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben recorded a song called "We Can." Originally intended to inspire people to run the marathon (he had just completed his first NYC race), the song has since taken on a life of its own. It's larger message: we can work together to make the world a better place for everyone.
An elementary school teacher heard his song and wrote Jesse a letter inviting him to visit her school in Vancouver. Another person might have sent a nice note back, a few cds. But not Jesse. He flew to Canada and spent a week with the students learning about their community projects and recording a "We Can" video documenting their great work.
After the Vancouver experience, Jesse created the "We Can" Project, which has since inspired more than 125,000 students in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Canada and the U.S. The Project asks students, teachers, and parents to write a list of goals that are important to them, their peers, and their communities. Each participant then selects one of their goals (planting a garden, volunteering at a shelter, creating a recycling program) and commits to making it happen, either on their own or with a group.
Now that he's a New Yorker, Jesse is eager to work with more NYC schools. If you are a student, teacher, or parent, contact the "We Can" Project to find out how to get started, and how you can support this amazing program.
Education Secretary to Schools: Give Students Opportunities to "Do" Democracy /
Earlier this week, National Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. made an incredibly compelling case for service learning.
Some highlights from his speech to the National Press Club:
"Schools have a special responsibility to prepare students for their role in democracy...This is one of the original goals of American public education, something that has become more important as the country becomes more diverse."
"Preparing students for civic duties is just as much a priority as preparing them to succeed in college and in their careers."
Teachers should help students "think beyond their own needs and wants and help them develop as writers and speakers who could engage leaders and fellow citizens.
"It is not enough to just shout their disappointments and criticize the ideas of others. They have to offer solutions. They have to work to advocate for these solutions. They have to push to make sure their solutions are implemented."
Yes!!
Hilary's National Service Reserve /
Last week, Hillary Clinton announced her plan for a 5 million member national service reserve project. Americans across the country would continue in their full-time jobs but would be on call to respond to national disasters, health emergencies, and other crises.
"America works best, " she said, "when citizens volunteer in their own communities." She added, "Working together is the best way to solve problems."
How Can We Integrate NYC Schools? Talk to the Students. /
Matt Gonzales, Appleseed's School Diversity Project Director, believes that students are a critical part of the process of integrating NYC schools. We agree!
He elaborated in a recent interview: "We need to highlight the voices of students and actually ask them what they want, and try to help those students tell their parents what they think is the best way for them to learn. And I have a feeling that students will be able to articulate the benefits better than us, too. So part of it is going to be having students really raise their voices up."
If students at your school would like to join other NYC youth advocating for school integration, visit IntegrateNYC4Me.
In New York State, the Most Effective Schools Create Engaged Citizens /
As part of the effort to overhaul it's evaluation of public schools, the New York State Department of Education (SED) recently released a draft list of guiding principals. These are measures New York education officials believe should be used to determine whether a school is successful or "highly effective."
We were thrilled to see that SED included positive civic engagement as one of it's measures of success. According to the draft, a student is ready to graduate when - among other academic, social, and emotional measures - he or she is "ready for positive civic engagement." To help students reach their "full potential," an effective school will develop partnerships that support civic responsibility.
We have seen firsthand the tremendous impact of service learning on students and we applaud the SED's decision to encourage all schools to make service an integral part of their mission.
Starting Early: Elementary Youth Leadership /
SLP was thrilled to participate in last week's "Taking Stock" Elementary Youth Leadership Event hosted by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Liz was a panelist along with staff from two inspiring NYC organizations: Urban Arts Partnership and the Leadership Program. The audience included more than 50 Directors and staff from after-school programs located throughout NYC. All were eager to gather strategies about how to help youth in grades K-5 become leaders in their schools and communities.
Although some of the sites shared inspiring stories of existing leadership activities, many were struggling with how to give their young students "voice and choice." They left the event equipped with best practices as well as the confidence that, with the right support, students of all ages can help solve problems in their schools and communities.
Two community-based organizations, the Salvation Army and ASPIRA, were raffle winners of SLP's Professional Development sessions. We're looking forward to supporting them during the 2016-17 school year!
Our Youth Have A Lot to Say, We Should be Listening /
The most persuasive advocates are so often young people directly affected by a pernicious social problem.
Last year, SLP worked with an inspiring group of 5th graders in Brooklyn who persuaded their principal to improve the food and environment in their school cafeteria. Their project was motivated by concerns about students who eat school lunch and their ability to thrive academically, physically, and emotionally. In this 4/27/16 post on Chalkbeat, NYC high school senior Aminata Abdouramane raises an additional concern: bullying experienced by students who have no choice but to take advantage of the free lunch program. Speaking from personal experience, she makes a powerful case for her solution: universal free lunch.
Click here for more information about how to help young people like Aminata advocate for universal free lunch.