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.

Many high school students participate in service learning projects and work with community agencies including Albion Business Association, Medina Memorial Hospital Community Partners Program, Visions, Orleans County Nursing Home, Town of Albion, Orleans Genealogical Society and the New York State Troopers.

New York State Troopers demonstrate what can happen to passengers if their vehicle rolls over in an accident. They presented this information during a Driver Safety program at the high school.

Some of the projects students have created in the past:

* Students organized a Diabetes Screening. They advertised, prepared informational materials about diabetes and developed a map of Mount Albion Cemetery with walking trails for 1/2 mile and 1 1/2 mile routes. Over 75 people attended the screening.

* Students organized a driver safety fair for high school students in memory of two recent graduates who lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents.

* Students held a Golden Gala for senior citizens in our local community.

* Students helped 4-H Master Gardeners plant flowers for downtown beautification project and helped create "welcome to Albion" signs with Rotary Club members.

* Students created activity guides for children to use who are either patients or waiting for patients at Medina Memorial Hospital. The guides are filled with health and wellness information and have a set of crayons attached to them.

* Students in AP English created brochure guides for Mount Albion Cemetery. The guides explain famous women and men who are buried in Mount Albion and also a guide regarding the meaning of symbols on grave stones.

To learn more about service learning, contact Sue Starkweather at 589-2087. You can also go to our service learning website. This website was created by staff at Albion Central School as part of a federal "Learn to Serve with Character" grant.