My sister participated in that program. I however was not fortunate enough to be in such a program, by the time it came around, my grade was decidedly "Too Old" to particiapte. Though, teachers in higher-grade classes encorage community service and voluteer work, it was never part of a curriculum. I think that that is really too bad. Sure, i could have made meals for the elderly, asked a freind for a ride to winhaven, deliver the meal to a nice elderly person, have a conversation, and get back to school in time for my lunch. This is not a very easy thing to slip into the busy schedule of my classes. I think more volunteer work should be done as part of a class, not in addition to a class, perhaps local teachers could consider this. I hope more programs like the "Meals on Wheels" come about in the near future.
~Tyler
>From: "Kathy Seifert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "Clay Templeton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Winona] Wanted: stories of community service projects by kids
>Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 08:33:21 -0600
>
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
>My sons' (ages 7 and 8) classroom has had a meals on wheels route for almost
>two years. Every Monday a parent volunteer accompanies two or three
>children to deliver meals to residents of Winhaven. The children are
>assigned that "job" in the class room for that week and their classroom
>duties shift each week, so everyone gets a turn to deliver meals.
>
>The children see it as a special privilege and the residents enjoy seeing
>the children in the building. We often visit with other residents in the
>lobby or elevator and I frequently will follow up their comments of "You've
>got helpers today!" with information about how I'm really helping them and
>that their Montessori classroom has adopted this route!
>
>The route also provides the opportunity for the children to practice and
>apply many skills--social and academic. They use the chart provided by the
>meals on wheels staff to determine which apartments to visit and what food
>to deliver (i.e., regular or diabetic meals, milk or no milk). They have to
>compare the apartment number on the sheet to the signs that indicate which
>wing contains which apartment numbers and think through whether to push the
>"up" or "down" button on the elevator, depending on what floor number we go
>to next!
>
>More importantly, they are interacting with community members who may have
>limited interaction with children (and may be somewhat socially isolated).
>The smiles and and pleasant greetings we receive seem to reflect this as a
>positive for the residents!
>
>I've also been priveleged to watch how some children that have challenges
>socializing with peers really shine when interacting with the residents. It
>re-affirms the value and worth of each individual child and the idea that
>each of us has different strengths to bring to life. I'm so pleased that
>this educational experience provides an opportunity for children to discover
>that strength!
>
>This is only one example of how service learning is a win-win situation for
>all involved.
>
>Kathy Seifert
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Clay Templeton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 11:59 AM
>Subject: [Winona] Wanted: stories of community service projects by kids
>
>
> > [Winona Online Democracy]Kids in Winona�s schools have been performing
>community service projects as
> > part of their classroom credits for over 9 years now. Our Boy Scout troop
> > did a lot of projects when I was a kid, but it was only groups like that
>who
> > were recognized. I�d like to hear what work the kids of Winona have been
> > doing to help their neighbors and the members of this community.
> >
> > And if it's okay with everyone, I'll take those stories and put them up in
> > http://rHomeTown.com as magazine articles. This is a free website for the
> > city that is largely unused at the moment.
> >
> > Clay Templeton
> >
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