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Over the last several weeks, students and educators involved in the 2022 Service in Schools programs came together to share what they have accomplished in ten virtual showcases. Students presented a wide range of service efforts, which included organizing a social event to bring together students in special education and general education programs, becoming pen pals with residents in an elder care facility, and leading their school community in repurposing old t-shirts into fashionable new items. Each service-learning project involved deep research, including interviews with experts and community surveys. During the showcases, students had a chance to learn about the service activities completed by classes and clubs across the city and offered one another inspiration for continuing service this summer and next school year. Check out the students’ presentation materials to get ideas for youth service in your community!
High school students who participated in the Leadership Institute over spring break kicked off the 2022 Virtual Youth Service Summit on May 31. Over the course of two weeks, 36 high school leaders taught virtual lessons on animal welfare, disability rights, fast fashion and sustainability, and housing and homelessness to students from 22 elementary schools. After learning how they can take action and reflecting on the virtual lessons, the participating elementary school students were empowered to serve as agents of change in their own communities. View the Youth Service Summit lessons to learn more about these issues and how young people can make an impact.
Students came away from these celebrations of service feeling proud of their achievements and motivated to do more. The Service in Schools team is excited to see how these young people continue to serve their communities in the future!
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School Spotlight: P.S. 326 | |
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Middle school students from The Mott Hall School who participated in the Students Taking Action Today program presented their work to advocate for emotional support animals at a Service in Schools showcase on May 26. In an investigation of disability rights, students researched emotional support animals and learned that they can help keep students calm, reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.
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The class learned this firsthand from their classroom pet and emotional support animal, an adopted guinea pig they named Mr. Biggs. To spread awareness, students created digital posters with information on the benefits of emotional support animals that they distributed across their entire school district. The class took their advocacy one step further and reached out to local lawmakers to ask them to encourage the use of emotional support animals in more classrooms that serve students with disabilities. Throughout this project, the students at Mott Hall also learned to care for Mr. Biggs, which gave them a sense of responsibility. This experience helped students develop their voices as disability rights and animal welfare advocates.
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Brooklyn Public Library
Summer Reading Program 2022
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Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is celebrating its 125th birthday this summer! All season long, the library will have activities, programs (in-person and virtual), and of course books. Summer is a great time to read what you like or to choose from the book lists of 125 titles recommended by BPL librarians. Most books are available in multiple formats, including e-books and audiobooks. In addition, the library is giving away a limited number of books for children to keep. Check out the BPL events calendar for all the fun being offered this summer! All programs are free, and the library does not charge late fines.
A library card can also help you explore New York City’s museums and attractions with Culture Pass. If you have a library card from BPL, New York Public Library, or Queens Public Library, you can get free admission to dozens of cultural institutions, including children’s museums, heritage centers, public gardens, and much more! Contact BPL for questions on library events and resources, and use this contact form for questions on Culture Pass.
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Project Sunshine
Ongoing Service opportunity
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Project Sunshine is an international nonprofit supporting children and families facing medical challenges by harnessing the healing power of play. Project Sunshine’s free programs include TelePlay, a live play experience open to any child facing medical challenges in or out of the hospital. They also have opportunities for family and youth volunteers, including the Family Service Initiative and Youth Advisory Council, and fundraising for and assembling activity kits for children in hospitals. To learn more about how to support Project Sunshine, email Gregory Feigeles.
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Resources for Educators, Students, & Families | |
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Breakfast and lunch will continue beyond the instructional school year. The Summer Meals Program is available throughout New York City to anyone age 18 years old and under. Designated public schools, community pool centers, parks, and food trucks will be open for service. No registration, documentation, or ID is necessary to receive a free breakfast from 8:00-9:15am or lunch from 11:00am-1:15pm. Find a location near you.
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Contact the Service in Schools Team | |
Does your school have a great service project to share? If so, the Service in Schools team wants to know!
Invite the Service in Schools team to visit your service project. We want to see your students and school community in action. Email the Service in Schools team at ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov with two weeks’ notice, and we’ll schedule a visit to your school to learn about your project and see the impact you’re making on the community.
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Follow @ServicenSchools on Twitter and @ServiceinSchools on Instagram to receive program updates, upcoming service opportunities, resources, and more. We encourage students who use social media and are interested in service opportunities to follow us.
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Mission: Service in Schools strives to expand the number of NYC students engaged in transformative community service and service-learning experiences that enable them to use their voice, skills, and critical thinking to strengthen communities.
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