Service Learning at ACDS

Service has always been an important part of ACDS.  Community Minded is one of the four pillars of our Portrait of a Graduate.  In our touchstone, the S in ACDS stands for Service to Others.   This year, we are renewing and strengthening our commitment to service with an additional emphasis on student learning.

Service learning is a thoughtful program of investigation, planning, action and reflection that allows students and teachers to address authentic community needs while deepening their understanding of the world around them.  Each grade has chosen a theme for the year and is entering the "investigation" stage of researching community needs related to their theme.  As they develop and implement their plans for action, the students will share their learning with each other and the community at large. 

Our topics include:

Kindergarten: hunger

First grade: random acts of kindness

Second grade: hygiene and the Chesapeake Bay

Third grade: wildlife rehabilitation

Fourth grade: disaster preparedness

Fifth grade: literacy

Sixth grade: poverty

Seventh grade: care and identification of trees

Eighth grade: trail rehabilitation and maintenance

In addition to these thoughtful and comprehensive student-led projects, we will be developing an all-school day of service in April and we are enjoying occasional opportunities for one-time community service projects as well.