We define Social Education as the building and sustaining of a caring community through a learning process which is intentional and integrated. Components of our Social Education Program include our Service Learning Program, our set of Core Values, a Conflict Resolution Process, a set of K-8 Behavior Expectations and the teaching of core values through the curriculum as well as adult and student modeling.
Service learning has become an important part of life and learning at Guilford Central. Our definition of what we mean by “service learning” is:
An academic and social education method that meets genuine student, school or community needs and requires the application of knowledge, skills and a systematic reflection on the experience.
Over the last eleven years, we have placed a strong emphasis on integrating service as a core part of our teaching practice K-8. We see service learning supporting the application of content and skills areas through hands-on activities. It is an important part of our approach to Social Education.
Specific examples of service learning activities at Guilford range from the publication of The Guilford Gazette, a community newspaper, our School Gardens and The Discovery Trail (located on land next to the school) and of course, Mentoring and Tutoring by older students in the primary and intermediate grades. Most of these activities are classroom originated. In the case of the school gardens, we have benefited from strong community support as students and adults have first built and then begun to use the gardens as a learning environment for the application of core academic skills and content. Many classes maintain their own garden as well as sharing in the use of our larger vegetable and flower gardens.
Our school events calendar now includes Service Day, held each May near Memorial Day. Students and teachers take part in activities that range from cemetery preservation work to garden and trail activities. With the response from participants, staff, and community members to this event has been uniformly positive, this has become an annual event. In 1996, in recognition of Guilford Central's achievements, we were designated as a Vermont Demonstration Site for Service Learning. What we have accomplished over the last several years would never have been possible without strong participation by community members. Another important addition to our service learning program is Recognition Writing which occurs on a school wide basis. Students K-8 are asked to reflect on what it means to be a contributing community member. Selected writing is shared at our annual Community Recognition Evening, (now in it's 13th year), held each May at The Broad Brook Grange.
The Guilford Partnership Advisory Board was formed in 1993-94 to support service learning efforts at Guilford School and to serve as its Service Learning Project advisory board. A core goal of the PAB has been to build a safe and protective community for kids. The PAB Board's mission statement states:
The Guilford Partnership Advisory Board is a school and community partnership. Its mission lies in breaking down the distinctions and barriers between school and community. We will support programs that build and sustain a learning and growing community.
The Partnership Board has sponsored Guilford Summer Institutes, has helped to get hopes and dreams like The Garden Project off the ground, and assists with funding support for The Gazette. It provides a common vehicle for students, school staff, administrators, diverse townspeople and Guilford's School Board to work together. The PAB is actively seeking parents and community members to help with various projects and/or to serve on support committees for 2005-2006. Please contact the school if you are interested or would like more information.