JN - Youth Service Programs

File: JN

YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS

The Board of Directors is committee to preparing its students for active participation in the community, and believes that one way to foster the values and personal qualities that lead to such participation is through a program of service learning. The board believes that service to fellow students and the community promotes self-esteem and encourages a sense of responsibility for self and for others. However, the board believes that service programs are most effective when:

A. Student service opportunities should be preceded by training and support so that the students involved will be prepared to offer useful service;

B. Service opportunities should be cooperative in nature, with emphasis placed on group problem solving and team building;

C. School faculty and other adult supervisors should help ensure that service experiences are well organized and that logistical concerns are prevented from interfering with the goals of the experience;

D. Youth service programs should help build constructive links between the community and the schools, and whenever practicable, involve members of the community in the planning, implementation and evaluation of such programs; and

E. Youth service should be integrated whenever possible with opportunities for discussion and evaluation.

The superintendent shall report to the board on an annual basis the status of all youth service programs, and make recommendations regarding their expansion, modification, and enrollment status and give special attention to the programs' relationship to the community.

Adopted: July 13, 1992