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During the month of March each classroom teacher led a service learning elective. At The Village Charter School we believe that service to our community is important and supports our mission to encourage responsible citizenship. A quality service learning project includes opportunities for students to deepen their own knowledge as well as providing a service to others. Amazing projects our students and teachers accomplished in just a few short weeks:
Kindergarten partnered with the Idaho Humane Society to collect 100 items from their wish list to donate to the center that serves animals. Kindergarten students practiced their speaking and leadership skills before presenting to other classes. As donations came in, students counted each item and added it to the graph to show progress toward the goal of 100 items.
First and Second grade classes also worked with the Idaho Humane Society to learn about the needs of living creatures. They worked with a guest speaker from the center and learned about a need for cat blankets in the cages. These two classes worked hard to measure, cut and put together fleece blankets for furry friends. The blankets were hand delivered on their tour to the center. 
Third grade students partnered with a local Head Start site in Garden City. Third graders used their creativity and book making skills to create alphabet books to give to preschool students at the center. They even had an opportunity to visit the center to read the books to the young children and enjoy some time being their buddy for the afternoon. The director at the site, Trudy Cressy, said her students were thrilled with the books and the visit and look forward to a future visit.
Fourth grade students partnered with the Idaho Historical Society to produce a Factsheet for people who are unaware of the Merci Train and its significance to World, U.S. and State history. The Merci Train (Idaho's boxcar and its contents), was a thank you gift from the French citizenry to America following WWII. The project allowed students to practice their research and writing skills while creating a useful publication for the Idaho Historical Society.
Fifth graders were very ambitious and partnered with the Boise Rescue Mission. After a visit from their community partner, Glenn Compton, they chose an "anything" drive. Students divided into 7 groups, each with an assigned grade level at TVCS to present their persuasive brochures to and inspire others in our community to partner in donating specified needs for the homeless. Students used their writing, speaking and leadership skills to educate others at TVCS about the needs of families living in poverty. They hand delivered the donations and spent some time working and touring the warehouse to learn more about the mission of their community partner. 
Sixth grade students partnered with Monique Smith from The Learning Lab. She spoke to the class about adult illiteracy rates nationwide and how members of The Learning Lab are working to improve literacy. The 6th grade students organized a drive for school supplies and the idea of "Literacy Kits" was born. Students decided to make "Literacy Kits"-kits with a book, story-telling props, and early literacy games- for preschool students at The Learning Lab. BSU Professor, Maggie Chase, spoke to the 6th grade students about the art of storytelling. The students learned how to make felt storyboards and the qualities of good storytellers. Of course this group traveled to the center to demonstrate their new skills. The preschooler loved it!
Our junior high students partnered with several agencies The City of Boise Public Works Department, The Idaho Botanical Garden and The Idaho Department of Fish and Game to complete projects that focused on environmental stewardship. Their activities included storm water drain marking to protect Boise River water quality, service in the garden while learning about Idaho landscapes, soil and native plants, riparian protection of Boise River and tributaries - protecting cottonwood forest and cutting willow for replanting. Finally, this group learned about beaver wrapping trees to protect them from pesky beavers. Students represented our school well and received high praise from a community partner: "We really appreciate what the kids did [beaver wrapping all the trees around the Park Center Pond] for us. You are welcome back anytime!"
Our young 5 year olds and our junior high teens engaged in meaningful service to our local community. Our Service Learning program at the Village Charter School has been launched! We can't wait to see how the projects grow and change over time.
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