October 2018 Newsletter
Program Highlights
Apply to the Service in Schools Kids Action Team Program!
Application Deadline:  Monday, November 5
For elementary school teachers (grades K-5) who want to launch an after-school service-learning club.
Participants can look forward to:
  • two days of professional learning on Thursday, December 13, 2018 and Tuesday, January 29, 2019;
  • up to 20 hours of per session for time spent outside of regular school hours planning for and facilitating the after-school club; and
  • support for leading students through a service-learning project, which they will present at the Celebration of Service on May 30.

Partner Fair
On Thursday, October 25, Service in Schools (SIS) hosted its sixth annual Partner Fair at American Airlines Theatre, the home of Roundabout Theatre Company . At this year’s event, SIS and 19 partner organizations met with educators from across the city to share strategies and resources to bolster community service and service-learning activities in New York City public schools.

The fair enabled educators to learn about the many ways that students in grades K through 12 can make a positive impact on communities at the local, national, and global level. Partners provided information to support participants in guiding students to address community needs, such as environmental sustainability, civic engagement, cancer research, fighting poverty, and more. Teachers offered insight on how to incorporate this service into the classroom setting.

School Spotlight
M.S 358, Queens
Project Overview: After discussing issues they felt passionate about, grade 8 dance students identified the need for LGBTQ rights advocacy within their school. The students used dance as a tool to spread awareness about LGBTQ discrimination and to promote acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender expression.

Investigation: Students began researching by exploring educational songs and videos about LGBTQ rights and observed how their peers spoke about LGBTQ issues and rights on daily basis in school. Students then conducted interviews and surveys of teachers and classmates to find out where members of their community stood in their awareness of LGBTQ issues and to discern what more needed to be done to make their community more accepting.

Preparation: The culminating project was a dance performance, created by the students and teacher, Anne Zuerner, that told the story of two boys falling in love and depicting how the community first rejected them and then accepted them. The beginning of the dance included a slideshow created by the students that highlighted statistics from media research as well as data from their schoolwide survey and information from interviews.

Action: The dance major students performed this dance for the entire student body at the Spring Fling Arts Festival and other school assemblies, as well as for teachers and other school-based professionals at the Middle School Quality Initiative Conference.

Reflection: After the students finished performing their dance, they reflected on how artistic expression can make a difference in ways they never imagined. They found that the project sparked more dialogue about LGBTQ rights in school and identified future challenges for the LGBTQ community. The dance major students are excited to continue advocating for inclusion and acceptance through dance! 
Current and Upcoming Opportunities
Gowanus Canal Conservancy
School Walking Tours
Ongoing Opportunity recommended for grades 6-12
Gowanus Canal Conservancy school walking tours give an overview of the history of the Gowanus Canal, information about its ecosystem, and an update on the Superfund cleanup. Students learn about industrial waste and Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) as the two primary sources of water pollution and the clean-up initiatives that are underway. Educators can choose from three focuses for their tour: Green Infrastructure, Waterfront Design, and Environmental Justice. Although this opportunity is catered toward grades 6-12 and college students, Gowanus Canal Conservancy is able to modify the tour for younger grades. For more information, email education@gowanuscanalconservancy.org.
Green Apple Day of Service
Day of Service and Grant Opportunity
Green Apple Day of Service is a unique opportunity to join schools across the world in celebrating the central role that schools play in preparing the next generation of leaders in sustainability. A school’s event is an opportunity to give students hands-on experience with sustainability, civic leadership, environmental literacy, and project management skills. To get started, read the Green Apple Day of Service Checklist . Follow the prompts to register your project by March 15, 2019 to be eligible for a Green Apple Award, and for funding through Donors Choose .
Friends of Van Cortlandt Park
Ongoing Opportunity for all Ages
Friends of Van Cortlandt Park invites educators to bring students of all grade levels to the third largest park in New York City for a unique service-learning experience in a beautiful natural setting. Whether engaging in a one-time visit or recurring visits, students will have fun while learning the importance of preserving nature. The student programs include Forester for a Day, Garden Exploration, Freshwater Ecology, and more. Learn more about the student programs , and email sara@vancortlandt.org or call 718-601-1553 to register.  
Resource Highlights
GLSEN
Anti-Bullying Lesson Plans
Since 1990, GLSEN has been working to make K-12 schools safe places for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Today, GLSEN inclusive programming can be found in tens of thousands of schools nationwide, and educators, students, and parents can find a wide variety of free resources on their website. Their lesson plans and toolkits for K-12 teachers and students encourage dialogue about addressing bias and creating inclusive communities. Check out their teacher guides , and access lesson plans about LGBTQ rights and anti-bullying strategies. 
Story of Stuff
Environmental Advocacy
The Story of Stuff Project began as a viral video sensation and has grown into a movement working to change the way that people make, use, and throw away stuff. Their educational videos cover a wide range of topics, including the water crisis in Flint Michigan, Citizens United vs. the Federal Election Commission, and the effects of consumerism on the environment. By taking complex issues and creating engaging videos geared toward youth, The Story of Stuff is engaging the next generation in civic action and responsibility. Access their free collection of videos , and jump into one of their campaigns ! 
Contact the Service in Schools Team
Invite the Service in Schools team to visit your service project. We want to see your students and school community in action. Email the Service in Schools team at ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov with two weeks’ notice, and we’ll schedule a visit to your school to learn about your project and see the impact you’re making on the community. 
Follow @ServicenSchools to receive program updates, upcoming service opportunities, resources, and more. We encourage students who use Twitter and are interested in service opportunities to follow us.
Mission: Service in Schools strives to expand the number of NYC students engaged in transformative community service and service-learning experiences that enable them to use their voice, skills, and critical thinking to strengthen communities.