Lesson 7:
I Do My Part
Handout 1
Sample Letter To Parents About Academic Service-Learning Project
Dear Parents,
Starting (date), our class will be working on an Academic Service Learning project. We are excited to be able to meet a need in the community. Our class will be visiting (name of retirement community). We will be sharing our talents, time and companionship with approximately (number) seniors.
Before our visit, the volunteer manager from (name of retirement community) will come to our classroom and train us in sensitivity and expectations dealing with senior citizens. We will also fill out volunteer applications and create interview questionnaires for our senior friends. I suspect the seniors will have a few interesting stories for us. We are anticipating a total of four to five meetings alternating between (name of retirement community) and our school.
The goal of this service learning project is for students to recognize philanthropy as a way to give back to the community. As we discuss the ideas of philanthropy, students should be able to answer the following questions:
- What is the need?
- Who has the need?
- Who is in the community?
- Who fills the need?
- What talent or treasure is shared?
- What goodness does the community experience from that giving or sharing?
- What would have happened if the need were not met?
I hope this program is a success and both children and seniors will benefit from each other.
Sincerely,
I authorize my child to participate in the Academic Service Learning Project explained above.
Student Name:
Parent Signature: Date: