SERVICE LEARNING
Community Service is a very important part of our charter and of being a student at the school. One of our Schoolwide Objectives is for each student to become a “Community Steward”. Each student will participate in service learning projects aligned to various subjects’ curricula, and is encouraged to participate in, or help organize, Community Service events.
5th Grade:
Look for more information about an upcoming service learning trip to Willow Brook Farm Preserve as part of our ongoing work with Wildlands Trust. Last year, students used what they learned in Science class to participate in a mini bioblitz to help catalogue various species found on the preserve. They used what this information and some additional research to redesign the visitors’ kiosk.
7th Grade:
Volunteers are working to make our school more environmentally friendly by helping organize and advertise recycling.
8th Grade:
All eighth grade students will be participating in at least one school-organized service trip. Each service trip will be prefaced by an informational meeting during which students will learn about the social problem and the organization that they will be working with. In addition, after the service trip students will write a personal reflection about the experience and might be asked to share the experience with younger students here at Rising Tide.
The following are past project options:
Rosie's Place
This trip has been available to 8th graders for many years. Students will prepare part of a meal at home, and then will go to Rosie's Place, a homeless shelter for women and families. Here they will be responsible for preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the meal. There is a van rented to transport students to and from Boston, but students will need to be picked up at school.
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging (COA) offers various classes for seniors in the area. Rising Tide Students often have skills that are in demand with this age group. Students will be preparing a short demonstration on a specific computer skill (like how to use email, download digital photos, or search for information on the internet) and then they will present to seniors at the Plymouth COA. After the presentation, the seniors will try out the new skill while students are there to help and answer questions.
Head Start
This is a great trip for students who like to work with younger kids. Head Start is a program for kids ages 3-5. Students will prepare a short activity (a game, book, or lesson) and then will go to Head Start and act as guest teachers.
9th Grade:
Students in Mr. Griffiths’ Science Research elective will carry out stewardship projects throughout the community such as local beach or area cleanups in conjunction with their study of various ecosystems in Plymouth. Students will test out ways to make our school "greener”, and will implement the school recycling program.
