“Nuts and Bolts” of Service Learning – May 12

Teachers, counselors and administrators will learn first hand about the do’s-and-don’ts, ins-and-outs and nuts-and-bolts of service learning at a special half-day conference on Monday, May 12. The mini-conference will be held in the Technology Center at Bergen Community College from 8:30AM-noon.

Service-learning combines academic work with service to the community; students learn by doing and at the same time help to meet important needs in the school or in the community. When done well, service learning energizes and motivates students, and the result can be improved grades, increased attendance in school and a heightened sense of personal and social responsibility.

Keynote speaker will be Linda V. Rivera, program officer for the Learn and Serve America School Based Program at the N.J. Department of Education, who will be followed by a panel of teachers and administrators at area schools and community organizations discussing their current and highly successful service learning initiatives. A highlight of the conference will be the presentation by students and staff at Teaneck High School of their service learning project that combines study of Homer’s Odyssey with providing assistance to families who have a member serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The cost of this unique and informative conference is $50 per person. For more information or to register, contact Debbie Emery at (201) 489-9454, ext. 118, or demery@bergenvolunteers.org.