Service Learning December Newsletter
Service Learning Announcements & Updates
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DeVry Students Share Youth Policy Expertise with French Delegation!
On October 31, a delegation of educators and youth organizers from France visited DeVry Advantage Academy. Service Learning Club leaders Elias, Alejandro, Alexa, Matthew, Melissa, and Jasmine hosted the delegation, along with Service Learning Coach and Spanish teacher Yvette Vasquez and CPS Service Learning Manager Shanti Elliott. The visitors came to Chicago as part of an educational tour to learn about youth policy in the United States. 
 
In the course of the exchange, the French visitors gained insight into the supports and issues that spur students to become leaders in their community and in their school. Students described their work mobilizing action, spreading knowledge, and creating community. They shared expertise and strategies around issues such as immigrant rights, fighting sex trafficking, and addressing gentrification. They highlighted We Schools, Mikva Challenge, and Logan Square Neighborhood Association, and other Chicago organizations that support their development as leaders for social change. 
 
The French delegates, hosted by World Chicago, came from youth organizations and universities of cities throughout France, as part of a Department of State exchange program with these objectives:
  • Explore how the United States promotes and develops equal opportunities for youth of diverse backgrounds;
  • Interact with youth in different U.S. regions and observe how they serve as actors of change and influence; and
  • Illustrate how leadership, civic engagement, and community service are fostered among youth in the United States.

Thank you to our visitors and to DeVry for a powerful cross-cultural dialogue on youth engagement and leadership!
Friends of the Chicago River and Taft High School
invite you to…
The conference for students – by students – and all about the river.
This year: Come solve a strange case of disappearance – win a prize – live reptiles – river art and poetry – science.
Saturday, February 24, 2018, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
@ Taft High School, 6530 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL
Everyone is welcome : individuals , classes, groups , clubs, presenters , just attending… whatever .
Please share this with any others who may be interested…
Opportunities for your students!
We are still accepting applications for our Native Youth Leadership program!
 
St. Kateri Center of Chicago and CPS American Indian Education Program are building a new leadership program to cultivate young student leaders within our community. Participants will be able to receive stipends for their work at each of our programs’ events and have an opportunity to attend national Native Youth Leadership conferences as our youth delegate(s). It will be an exciting opportunity for our youth to develop their leadership and professional skills while giving back to the community!
 
Interested students and parents are invited to join us for the meeting on Saturday, December 2nd at 2 pm to learn more details!

Click here for the Chicago Community Events Calendar for many, many more powerful community-based learning opportunities!
Winter 2018 National Student Writing Competition: Less Stuff, More Heart
Want to inspire your students to write? Here's an opportunity to write about something meaningful and for an audience beyond the classroom.
It's A Wonderful Life

The YES! National Student Writing Competition is an opportunity for middle school through university students to write for a real audience—not just you, the teacher—and the chance to be published by an award-winning magazine.

Each quarter, students are invited to read and write an essay on a selected YES! Magazine article. We divide contestants into four categories: middle school, high school, university, and Powerful Voice (for authors whose essays are powerful and passionate). Winning essays in each category are published on the YES! Magazine website and in our online education newsletter.
Click here for more information

Power to the Youth 2017
Mikva Challenge's Chicago Housing Authority Youth Council invites you to attend our annual Youth Summit!

Power to the Youth 2017
Saturday, December 2nd from 9am to 5pm
Roosevelt University, Goodman Center Gym (501 S. Wabash)

Join together with young people ages 13-21 from across the city to activate the power of youth voice.

⏺Have Fun⏺Attend Workshops⏺Visit Our Youth Resource Fair⏺Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner⏺Live Entertainment⏺Transportation Available
       Click here<http://tiny.cc/CHACouncil> for more information.

       Click here<http://tiny.cc/PowerToTheYouth> to register by Nov 25th, 2017.


Opportunities for Teachers: Professional Learning, Awards, Partnerships
This new page features opportunities for teachers to learn, grow, and apply for grants and awards.
Please share widely!

Shanti Elliott, Service Learning Manager, skelliott1@cps.edu/ 773-553-6147