2009-2010 National Learn & Serve Challenge

[Valeri Werpetinski]

[Announcement from NSLP]

Let the 2009-2010 National Learn & Serve Challenge begin!

This week, more than 71,000 young people, educators, community
partners, civic leaders, and business partners will participate in
activities to build awareness and public support for service-learning
through the National Learn & Serve Challenge.
http://www.learnandservechallenge.org

For two years, the National Learn & Serve Challenge was an
opportunity to dedicate one week each year to promote and spotlight
service-learning success stories around the country. This was made
possible with support from the State Farm® Companies Foundation.
Today, we are pleased to announce that the National Learn & Serve
Challenge is now a nine-month initiative designed to increase
service-learning in our nation's schools and communities.

This week, we continue to celebrate and spotlight service-learning in
schools and communities nationwide. Check out the Challenge map to
locate kick-off week events and activities in your state or local
communities.
http://www.servicelearning.org/2009_challenge_maps

In addition, we will also kick off a national call to action that builds on
President Obama's national call to service by challenging
schools, college campuses, faith-based partners and youth-serving
organizations to commit to engaging young people in service-learning
this school year.

Through the Challenge, young people--from elementary to college
age--will help rebuild and renew their local or global community
by using the content knowledge and skills learned in the classroom or
a community-based program to create and implement innovative solutions
to problems within five priority areas:

* Community renewal, including responding to the economic crisis
* Education, including literacy and keeping kids in school
* Energy and the environment
* Health and nutrition
* Safety and security

Join this national grassroots effort to create more opportunities
for young people to learn and serve.

Accept the Challenge. Let us know you are ready to engage young people
in service-learning in your classroom, youth group, club, school,
campus, faith-based or community organization. Invite your friends and
colleagues to do the same.
http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/site/PageNavigator/OC_ls...

Once you've accepted the Challenge, gear up for service-learning
success. Access free online resources, lesson plans, planning tools
and virtual professional development opportunities. Join us on
Facebook to learn from and connect to others.
http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename...
http://www.facebook.com/ical/event.php?eid=83724586519

Click here for an overview of new National Learn & Serve
Challenge, how it works and how you can get involved.
http://nslp.convio.net/site/R?i=FrMIxSXbv278pQdH1miuxA..

Accept the Challenge today.
http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/site/PageNavigator/OC_ls...

It's not too late to do something this week to spread the word
about service-learning in your school or community. Access the
Challenge Kick-Off Week Toolkit for quick ideas and easy-to-implement
activities you can use to promote service-learning this week.
http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/toolkit.php

Over the next several days, we'll continue to share updates and
service-learning news stories from around the country as well as
opinions and commentary from field leaders and voices from the field.
Visit our Online Newsroom for the latest news and information.

Thank you for all you do to advance service-learning. Stay tuned for
more information.

Nelda

Nelda Brown, Partnership Executive Director

The Learn & Serve Challenge is a signature event of the National
Service-Learning Partnership at the Academy for Educational
Development and made possible with support from the State Farm®
Companies Foundation. The Challenge is supported by more than 100
local, state and national organizations. Click here for a complete
list.
http://www.learnandservechallenge.org/participating.php