Youth Service America 
2009 National Service-Learning Conference
STEMester of Service
e-Newsletter
Vol. 2  #3
Dear ,

Thank you to everyone who has scheduled their initial one-on-one phone call with Susan and I. 

Earlier this week, I spoke with Linda Cato (Tucson, AZ) and was very inspired to hear how the service-learning efforts were progressing at her school.  After Linda presented the STEMester of Service concept to her students, one of her students responded, "Thank you! How many days a week do we get to work on this project?!"  In addition to the students' excitement, Linda has also been able to gain parents' support and buy-in.  Families are brainstorming ways to use their connections and talents to enhance the project, providing donations and local expertise.

If you have not yet sent me suggested dates and times for your phone call, please do so.  We would like to complete this first round of phone calls by December 22nd.

This issue of the newsletter includes updates on the following topics:
  • LASSIE Report webinar;
  • Development of technology mentorship opportunity;
  • Resources posted on GoToServiceLearning.org.

Enjoy!
Timeline

December 6, 2010
Gain access to LASSIE system

December 10, 2010
Technology Partnership Questionnaire due


January 10, 2011
MLK Day Final Prep webinar
http://mlkday.gov

January 14, 2011
Student pre-survey deadline
Reporting Your Successes

LASSIE Report webinar

For those of you who were unable to attend the LASSIE Report webinar on Tuesday, November 16, a recording of the webinar is now available online:  http://lsareports.org/WebPages/Support/Help.aspx

Select and view the LASSIE 101 for K-12 Sub-Grantees webinar.

If you have questions about the content of the webinar, please let me know!

Completion and submission of the LASSIE Report is required by our STEMester of Service funder, the Corporation for National and Community Service through Learn and Serve America.

LASSIE Account

Within the next week, you will receive an email letting you know that your LASSIE account has been created.  At this point, there is nothing you need to do with your LASSIE account (except watch the LASSIE webinar!).
Partnering with a Technology Company

YSA is in the exploratory stage of developing a partnership with a leading international technology company, which could add a unique new resource to our STEMester of Service program. Please help us design a program that meets your needs, as well as the needs of your students and school community!

We have created a very brief questionnaire - just three short questions.  Please submit the form by next Friday, December 10th.  The questionnaire is available at the following site:  http://tinyurl.com/26om4oy

We look forward to your comments and suggestions!
Connecting to One Another

Within the STEMester of Service Discussion Group on the GoToServiceLearning.org website, we have added sections where you can post questions and comments, share advice with one another or share a success story:
  • The Role of Youth
  • Getting Support for Your Project 

The Role of Youth: In this section, we will host questions on topics such as youth voice, youth leadership, and creating projects that are meaningful and relevant to youth.  I have already added a question from Lani Bowman from HI, so please share some tips and advice with us!


Getting Support for Your Project:  Here you can post questions about partnerships, engaging families and parents, increasing support from school administrations, and fundraising.


In each section, you can post a question by clicking "Add new comment," and you can provide advice or feedback by clicking "reply".

 
Accessing Resources

This week on the GoToServiceLearning.org website, three resources have been added to the Discussion Group:
  • Grants and Awards:  YSA's Harris Wofford Award
  • Grants and Awards: Disney's Planet Challenge
  • Service-Learning Resources: "Connecting Curriculum with Community," an article in DistrictAdministration

If you have resources that you would like to share with your fellow STEMester of Service grantees, please post the resources by adding comments within the relevant sections.



Best,
Dots3

Sarah Guy
Education Manager
Youth Service America
sguy@ysa.org
202-296-2992 x110
  



This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under Learn and Serve America Grant No. 09KSADC002. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Corporation or the Learn and Serve America Program.