Learn and Serve

Pictured: Buttons were created by Team 600 students for No Name Calling Week. Each student received a button as a reminder not to call each other names. This was part of their Peace Rocks year-long service learning project.

Service learning is a comprehensive teaching methodology that involves the desire to make things happen both in the school and in the community. Projects center on cross-curricular study, and for total success require equal participation from students, teachers and community.

The Middle School has participated in the NYS Learn and Serve program since 1995. This program is funded by the NYS Education Department's Learn and Serve America Department.

Past projects include the Veteran Memorial in front of the Middle School, repositioning the veteran's flagpole to the front of the building, building a kiosk at Court House Square, creating a monument to the Black Pioneers of Orleans County, leading a flag day ceremony for the community, and creating a guide for children who have questions about family members who receive care at Orleans Hospice.

In 2001, the Albion Middle School was honored for its outstanding achievement in Service Learning. AMS students and staff were the proud recipients of the National Service Learning Leader School Award. Only 64 schools were honored throughout the United States, and Albion was the only school in New York State to receive this award. The award is given to schools who successfully make community service an integral component of their school curriculum. Service learning combines education with community service, enabling young people to build academic and workforce skills as they help solve real-world problems in their communities.

For more information on Albion Central School District service learning programs, contact Sue Starkweather at 589-2087.