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August 31, 2012
Volume 19, No. 35
Circulation: 41,000
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To Improve Student Achievement, Start With Service
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 Steve Culbertson, YSA's President & CEO just posted a powerful back-to-school blog on improving student achievement through service-learning. It begins: "Last week, PDK/Gallup released the latest results of its study of Americans' attitudes toward public education. Titled "A Nation Divided," the report exposes deep rifts over hot-button issues like teacher evaluation and school vouchers. But it also reveals common ground: Americans believe in closing the achievement gap, that high-school graduates are not sufficiently prepared for the workplace, and that our public schools are underfunded. In short, we agree about the problems, but we are split on which solutions will best help our students succeed.
As we start the school year divided, I offer an olive branch, a remedy that teachers, parents, administrators and especially students can all agree on: service-learning, a teaching and learning method that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection. Service-learning is hands-on learning in its purest form, engaging all types of students in learning, with the added impact of strengthening communities. As we look for ways to bolster student achievement and workforce readiness, service-learning is a strategy that we know works." Read the rest of Steve's blog and help us share using the "Share This Story" tool at the top left corner of the blog: http://huff.to/QOxhWC
If you're interested in bringing the success of YSA's Semester of Service program into your classroom, and learning more about upcoming in-person & online training opportunities, YSA Grants programs, and new YSA resources, sign up today at www.YSA.org/semester
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Connect with YSA
  
YSA Funding Partners
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News From the Field
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Go Orange for No Kid Hungry
September 6 - 9
Orange is not just the color of Team No Kid Hungry; it's actually the color of hunger awareness. On September 6th-9th join Team No Kid Hungry, young celebrities like Amandla Stenberg , Sierra McCormick and Jennifer Stone, corporate partners, nonprofit partners, and individuals in Go Orange for No Kid Hungry. Go Orange for No Kid Hungry is a national effort to raise awareness about the 1 in 5 kids who face hunger every day. Share Our Strength is asking their young supporters to get involved by asking their friends, family and classmates to rock the color orange and to help spread the word by posting photos of their group on Facebook. http://bit.ly/NOttst
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Do Something Grand!
September 8 - 15
Using Grandparents Day (September 9) as a call to action, Generations United is planning a full week (September 8-15) of intergenerational activism. How can youth make Grandparents Day a little grander this year? Do Something Grand with your grandparents or older adults in your community! http://bit.ly/O9Cd9w The Take Action Guide provides you with the tools to do something grand in your communities. Whether you're coordinating local backpack drives to prevent hunger or calling Congress about the importance of Social Security for children and youth, your actions will help spur our country to Do Something Grand! http://bit.ly/PGF3HC
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ServiceVote 12 for '12: Engaging Youth in the 2012 Elections Special Series
With just under 10 weeks to go until Election Day, YSA continues this special 12-part series leading up to November 6.
YSA offers the ServiceVote 12 for '12 - twelve ideas of how young people can serve this election season (and only one of them requires you to be 18!) Get all the ideas, related resources, and let us know how you're getting involved at www.YSA.org/ServiceVote
Each week until Election Day, we'll feature one way young people can get involved during the election, and highlight related programs, resources, and stories.
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ServiceVote 12 for '12:
Create Voter Guides
One of the best ways to motivate people to register and vote is to educate them about who is running, candidates' positions on the issues, and how their vote might affect the issues that they care about.
One of the easiest ways to educate voters is to develop and distribute voter guides focused on the issues you care about. Access resources to help you create your own voter guide - and 11 other ideas for young people to be engaged in the election - at www.YSA.org/ServiceVote#2
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Back to School: Elections & Civics Resources for Educators
The following websites provide tons of great election-related lessons, activities,and resources:
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Grants & Awards
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UnitedHealth HEROES Service-Learning Grants
Accepting Applications: Sept. 4 - Oct. 15
YSA and UnitedHealthcare are inviting schools and other community-based nonprofit organizations to Step into Service by applying for UnitedHealth HEROES grants. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for youth-led service-learning projects which aim to combat childhood obesity through walking, running or hiking programs. The online application will open on September 4, 2012 and will close on October 15, 2012. YSA will hold webinars to help applicants through the application process and answer all of their questions. The first webinar will be September 13th at 3:00pm Eastern - Sign up here. For more information, visit www.YSA.org/HEROES
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Go Orange for No Kid Hungry Essay Contest
Deadline: September 24
Go Orange for No Kid Hungry is a national effort to raise awareness about the 1 in 5 kids who face hunger every day. Kids under the age of 21 are invited to participate in the Go Orange for No Kid Hungry essay contest. Participants can win $500 just by answering one simple question: Why is ending childhood hunger in America important to you? Prizes will be awarded to the top three essays in two age categories: under the age of 15 and ages of 15-21. http://bit.ly/NByEc7
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HOPE worldwide MLK Day Grants
Deadline: October 1
HOPE worldwide is now accepting applications for 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects. All projects must: focus on fire prevention education, involve at least two community partners, include reflection or other activities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and occur in significant part on or near Jan. 21, 2013.The grant ranges will be: $5,000 (400 or more volunteers projected); $2,500 (200 to 400 volunteers projected); and $1,000 (50 to 200 volunteers projected). http://bit.ly/NfgknK
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Stop Bullying Video Challenge
Deadline: October 14
This month, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan called on America's youth to take the Stop Bullying Video Challenge. This challenge invites youth ages 13-18 to create a 30 to 60 second video that will inform and motivate youth to prevent bullying and showcase ways they are taking action against bullying, promoting a culture of kindness and respect in their communities. The contest winner will receive a grand prize of $2,000, with the two runner-ups earning $500 each. Learn more at http://1.usa.gov/RudQmr
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Everyday Young Heroes
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Ariel Murphy
Mahwah, NJ
YSA recognizes 14-year-old Ariel Murphy of Mahwah, New Jersey, as an Everyday Young Hero for using her passion for encouraging young female involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines.
Recognizing a lack of female interest in STEM subjects, Ariel worked with a dozen fellow students to create a program to evoke excitement and enthusiasm about STEM disciplines in fourth and fifth grade students. She successfully created four workshops - three for girls and one for boys - to make learning about STEM subjects more interesting. Ariel continuously adapted her workshops to suit the needs of the ever-changing requirements of the school administration and was met with an abundance of eagerness from the young students. The fun and hands-on workshops initiated by Ariel sparked so much interest that the school agreed to allow her to execute a Science Fair! With support from the school's PTA, the local Girl Scout community and newspapers, approximately 140 target aged students participated in the science fair. Because of its success, the school district plans to implement a science fair at the elementary school level in the near future. For her dedication to the STEM disciplines and the educational pursuits of young female students, we honor Ariel as an Everyday Young Hero. To nominate a young person who has improved their community through service to be recognized as an Everyday Young Hero, please visit www.ysa.org/awards/hero. |
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Resources & Trainings
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New Reimagining Service Website
Reimagining Service is a national, multi-sector coalition dedicated to increasing social impact through effective volunteer engagement. Their new website offers easy access to features including research briefs, tools and resources, and case studies for three audiences: nonprofits, businesses, and funders; and frequently asked questions, including some of the questions poised during the Reimagining Service Forum at the 2012 National Conference on Volunteering and Service. http://bit.ly/PV2QzI
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Community Works Institute Online Network for Educators
Share, collaborate, and co-inspire along with other educators working to make place based education, service-learning, and sustainability a core part of student learning experiences. Join CWI's Community Network and access collegial dialogue, teaching and administrative resources, cutting edge ideas, innovative curriculum, along with wonderful potential for new collaborations and partnerships. The sign up process is free, very quick and easy, and can be integrated with you other social media tools. http://bit.ly/OGbzYE
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Service Calendars
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Conferences & Events
International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Conference
September 23-25, 2012 - Baltimore, MD
YSA's Youth Service Institute
October 17-19, 2012 - Houston, TX
Summer Changes Everything National Conference
October 22-24, 2012 - Pittsburgh, PA
People to People International Global Youth Forum
November 7-11, 2012 - Chicago, IL
24th Annual National Service-Learning Conference
March 13-15, 2013 - Denver, CO
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Seasons of Service
September 2012
Hunger Action Month - September
International Literacy Day - September 8
National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11
National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15-October 15
Constitution Day - September 17
International Day of Peace - September 21
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Song of the Week
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - "Teach Your Children"
"And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Can you hear and do you care and
Can't you see we must be free to
Teach your children what you believe in.
Make a world that we can live in..." |
The Editor
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 Mike Minks Director of Outreach and Innovation
Editor-in-Chief @michaelminks |
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