Service Teaches Powerful Lessons
As part of the strong academic program, we empower our students to be responsible citizens through service learning initiatives. All members of the Nashoba Brooks community, from preschoolers to eighth graders, are involved in meaningful service activities. Our goal is to channel students’ interests and talents as we open their eyes to new ideas, diverse experiences, and global awareness. Not only do students develop skills that will serve them throughout life, they build lasting relationships and develop a better understanding of problems and how to solve them.
Example: From a Village in Malawi to Nashoba Brooks in Concord
This past year, the eighth graders learned about the village of Malawi and its battle against deforestation and respiratory illness. Through a school connection in the Peace Corps, they learned about how rocket stoves use an innovative, low-technology approach to using precious fuel more efficiently. So, they did what Nashoba Brooks students do: they decided to help. They raised enough money to buy thirty rocket stoves. They donated funds from Jeans Day and selling ice cream. Two of the girls even founded their own cupcake company, with all of the proceeds going to Malawi. And, soon enough the fifth graders wanted to help too. They decided to design and sell greeting cards to raise money for the cause. These girls were so committed to their effort that they worked on creating greeting cards everyday at recess. Read More >
“These students aren’t doing this for their resumes, but to help alleviate a very real problem. Nashoba Brooks provided almost all of the funding for the rocket stove project.” – Service Learning Coordinator
Learn more about a few of our other Service Learning projects:
Food Drive to Help Kenyans, Report on Service Learning project in The Concord Journal, January 29, 2009
Service Learning and Global Understanding, an article by Polly Vanasse, Service Learning Coordinator