The Ray
April
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Party for the Planet - Saturday, May 4, 2024
Don't have time to plan a project? Join us May 4. We also look forward to working with The Florida Aquarium to host Party for the Planet on May 4, 2024. Details for the event will be available in our March newsletter, but check out the resources now! The AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) offers photo competitions, 30x30 project information, and a step-by-step guide to creating a natural habitat.
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Summer of Service Virtual Workshop for Rising 9th Graders and Parents
Learn and Serve Tampa Inc is hosting a FREE virtual workshop for 8th grade students and their parents on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.
Workshop objectives will be:
- To model completion of BrightFutures community service proposals and hour verification forms.
- To clarify that service towards BrightFutures and most other scholarship programs can begin the day after a student completes the 8th grade.
- To provide a list of links to local organizations who allow youth aged 13 to 15 to volunteer.
- To provide a framework for youth service leaders to identify local community need and create verifiable service that can be done from home and in the local community.
Participants must register using our Givebutter platform. The workshop is FREE but the opportunity to donate to Learn and Serve Tampa Inc is available. Registrants must submit contact information but no donation is required.
Note: Students should contact the high school they will be attending to learn of any restrictions or requirements that go beyond those under Florida DOE or Hillsborough County. Students in International Baccalaureate (IB) or other accelerated programs have unique procedures, but the workshop can still provide opportunities and ideas for independent youth service.
To register, visit https://givebutter.com/peDYfS
Prepackaged Service-Learning Ideas!
Global Youth Service Month Ends May 12, 2024
Learn and Serve Tampa Inc has supported several amazing youth-led service projects in classrooms and after school programs during Global Youth Service Month. There is still time to participate! Give your students the opportunity to serve. Check out StudentsRebuild, Roots & Shoots, and PassItOn! for great and easy ideas!
StudentsRebuild
The Bezos Family Foundation funds StudentRebuild, an art focused service-learning challenge each year. It is quite simple. Students study the challenge (hunger, climate change, water quality) and then create art. We aim to support The National Wildlife Federation in engaging youth with nature, so study and draw or create your favorite wild thing and submit it here. Team Tampa will upload your art and the Bezos family will donate $10 during the month of February! Philanthropy made easy, but with a learning twist!
Roots & Shoots
Another amazing resource for service-learning! One of my favorite is Project in a Box! Roots & Shoots is a global movement of youth leading change in their communities. Tampa has a Roots & Shoots chapter! Learn and Serve Tampa Inc is very excited about this new community tool to bring service-learning back into the classroom. Teachers can use the Roots & Shoots model for any type project, not just the green stuff! Sign up for the Tampa chapter today!
PassItOn!
PassItOn! billboards are everywhere. You may have also seen commercials and posters! Now, you can submit your own positive message! The Foundation for a Better Life was started by an anonymous benefactor and has built upon the commitments of major media companies to just DO GOOD! Now, the foundation invites you to Pass It On. Upload your own positive message!
Global Youth Service Month Highlights (So Far!)
Franklin BPA getting Garden advice from UF/EXT
Burnett Culinary Art Students Celebrate Earth Day!
Spoto High School AVID and Art Clubs preparing for GYSD Project
Rodgers Students receive safety training before mapping Bell Creek Preserve
Roland Park K-8 students conducted a Maui Wildfire Coin Drive
Cimino NEHS Students led a Mental Health Campaign
Thank You for Elevating Youth Voice!
- Spoto High School
- Middleton High School
- Brandon High School
- Rodgers Middle School
- Burnett Middle School
- Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy
- Williams Middle School
- Monroe Middle School
- Greco Middle School
- Mulrennan Middle School
- Roland Park K-8
- Cimino Elementary
For Educators
9/11 is FIVE Months Away!
On May 11, 2024, 9/11 will be FOUR months away! It is time to start planning! Our goal is to use an interactive memorial project for 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance to teach students about the causes, events, and consequences related to terrorism, but also to honor and remember those we have lost in these violent attacks. This is a perfect service-learning project for AVID, Civics, JROTC, and IB students, but the groundwork needs to begin now. Teachers, if you are interested in participating, email Learn and Serve Tampa Inc by May 11, 2024 to receive summer communications.
Teachers and Principals, we are a HCPS Partner in Education!
Our organization is here to offer support for teachers and schools who want to teach youth through community service. We offer FREE virtual consultations and seek funding sources to bring youth service-learning experiences to schools. We plan and support the three National Days of Service so youth can join their community in service. Connect with us today.
Recognitions!
Learn and Serve Tampa Inc Chosen Grand Prize Winner of the 2nd Publix Giveback Giveaway.
Learn and Serve Tampa Inc was recently the headline story in TBAY Today! Check out the April 24, 2024 edition here!
Fundraising
GiveButter
Of course, the most direct route to supporting our work would be a direct donation through GiveButter!
We need to buy materials and supplies for youth projects, to provide transportation when needed, and general operating funds for insurance, bookkeeping, technology, and more. We hope to expand our capacity to serve and need your support! Have a heart and help us help others!
Our mission at Learn and Serve Tampa Inc, to bring high-quality service-learning instruction to Tampa area K-12 classrooms and schools, is grounded in our core value of youth empowerment. We are building partnerships with teachers and school leaders, other nonprofits, and businesses who agree that we need to listen to our youth and validate their concerns by supporting their service ideas. Service-learning gives youth a voice in solving issues they deem important, building leadership, personal, and social skills while entrenching the content in a real world context. Let's encourage our young people to think critically about real issues and propose solutions! This April-May, give youth time IN SCHOOL to voice their concerns about the future and encourage them to problem solve through service. #youthempowerment #GlobalYouthServiceDay
Our Core Values
Student-centered education: Education is a process that needs to be entirely student-centered.
Youth Empowerment: Youth should be empowered to take action on issues that impact the world they are inheriting.
Democratic Thought: Not just what it is, but how you do it. The important role of self-discipline, respect for the rights and beliefs of others, and the process of teamwork and collaboration.
Equity and Equality Matter: An intentional focus on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion of all human beings.
Healthy Planet, Healthy People: All institutions must adopt and lean into social and environmental sustainability goals.
Service for the Common Good is a Civic Responsibility: Service to others is expected of all. It is not a set of hours to complete. It is a moral imperative to sustaining human civilization. It is a key component to winning in life.