In
recent years, there has been a growing interest in young people contributing
to their nation and their communities through service. Service is a vehicle
to promote good citizenship and character, develop leadership and teamwork
skills, improve academic performance, explore career options, and increase
the likelihood of volunteering as adults. The New Jersey Learn and Service
America Program helps schools to provide students, teachers, and community
members with these opportunities. Through this program, students have
been engaged in mentoring and tutoring younger students, testing water
quality, assisting senior citizens and helping build homes with Habitat
for Humanity. Participants of the Learn and Serve America Program also
provided emergency response in the aftermath of September 11.
We now would like to gain statewide information on the various service activities within the schools. Enclosed you will find a NJ School Service Survey and a Contact Information Form. This survey will assist NJ Department of Education, Learn and Serve America Program in formulating future program and policy directions to assist schools in the development of service programs. The survey and contact information form will be available online at the following address: http://www.state.nj.us/njded/lsa. Please return the survey by Tuesday, November 26, 2002.
We also would like to let you know that all schools nation-wide will be receiving, Students in Service to America, a publication of the U.S. Department of Education, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Points of Light Foundation. This booklet provides information on how to implement service projects within schools.
We hope you will take this opportunity to learn more about community service and service-learning and share information about your school’s service programs. Should you have questions or comments, please contact Rowena Madden, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service, or Linda V. Rivera, program officer, at (609) 633-9627.
Survey (PDF
)
Contact Information Form - Service
Programs in NJ Schools (PDF
)
