Service Learning

Service-learning has been infused into the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade subject areas. Students will have the opportunity to receive hours in Creative Arts, English, Math, Physical Education/ Health, Science and/or Social Studies. The 75 hours of service-learning required for high school graduation will be counted when students successfully complete 9th grade.

Service-learning is in-context learning that connects specific educational goals with meaningful community service. Service-learning projects include a dual focus: the goals of academic learning and the goals of authentic volunteer projects. Students learn course content as well as skills, strengthening their thinking skills as they develop empathy, personal ethics, and the habit of helping their communities. Doing service-learning helps students understand their connectedness to and importance in their communities as they experience the role of service provider (rather than the role of service receiver). Service-learning is also an important focus to many colleges and universities throughout the United States.

For more information, please call the Service-Learning Office at 301-759-2042 or 301-759-2049, 108 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502.

2010 Service Learning Highlight

On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, Hilary Lyons and Daniel Nelson of Allegany High School were honored at a reception ceremony at the Douglass-Myers Maritime Musuem hosted by the Maryland State Department of Education for their outstanding service to their communities. Lyons and Nelson were among 41 students throughout Maryland who were recognized as Service Stars.
For more than a decade, Maryland has led the nation implementing quality service-learning as a graduation requirement for students. Service-learning is in-context learning that connects specific educational goals with meaningful community service. Allegany County Public Schools requires a total of 75 service-learning credits for graduation.

Hilary excels not only in academics, but also in her commitment to service-learning. She has been involved in various community events including Walk FAR for NAAR, Bowl for Kids Sake, Envirothon, peer tutoring, and the March for Babies. According to Hilary, “Service-learning has caused me to grow as a person. I am now more thankful for my health, my environment, and my community.” She went on to say “It gave me a chance to interact with many unique people and learn skills that I can use in my everyday life.” Hilary completed a total of 898 service-learning hours.

Daniel Nelson has an exemplary record when it comes to service-learning. He earned his Eagle Scout ranks for the Boy Scouts of America. He has also served as the Allegany County Association of Student Councils president and Allegany High School’s secretary. Both positions allowed him the opportunity to orchestrate a number of service-learning activities including food drives, Pennies for Patients, Homeless Sleep Out, and raising funds for the Union Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army. Daniel says “I have been so greatly changed due to my service-learning experience. I am a better leader, follower, listener and person because of all of my experiences.” He completed a total of 1,600 service-learning hours.

Allegany County Public Schools employ high school service-learning coordinators to provide opportunities to meet service-learning requirements. Service-learning projects include a dual focus – the goals of academic learning and the goals of authentic volunteer projects. Students learn course content as well as skills as they develop empathy, personal ethics, and the habit of helping communities. It is a vital part of education because it helps translate classroom lessons into life lessons. Maryland’s service-learning is just another reason why Maryland public schools are once again ranked number one in the nation.