The Nevada FFA Foundation is managing the Nevada Department
of Education's Learn and Serve School-Based Grant. This
grant is from the Corporation for National & Community
Service. The foundation will manage the grant through July
2009.
FY09
Letter to Districts
FY09
Notice of Funding Opportunity - Application Instructions
FY09
Application (RFA) EXTENDED DUE DATE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17,
2009
Budget
Expenditure Summary Form
Budget
Detail Form - LS Funds
Budget Detail Form - Matching Funds
Resources
National Service-Learning
Clearinghouse
Corporation for
National & Community Service
Students
Teach the Community About a Healthy Environment
- 2007-2008 Grant
Agriculture education students from Smith Valley High School
started the school year by learning about soil, water, and
healthy ecosystems. Besides educating younger students and
the community members, these students also started a free
soil testing service. People can drop off soil samples at
the school where students analyze them and then return the
results to the owners. Because of this service, the students
are assisting in creating a soil map of the valley. The
partners who assisted in this project were Smith Valley
Cattle Feeders, Andregg Geomatics, Lyon County Schools and
Comptrollers, Extension Service, Smith Valley FFA Alumni,
Rosachi Dusters, Farm Assist Incorporated, Soil Conservation
District, and Marriott Construction.
Garden Brings Community Together - 2007-2008
Grant
Since
Gerlach is over 100 miles from Reno, the need for fresh
vegetables is important to the community. Teachers, community
members, and students began a community garden in 2007.
To further this endeavor, Gerlach High School applied for
a Learn and Serve Grant to build a greenhouse. The majority
of the school year was devoted to planning and building
the greenhouse while students and teachers started plants.
Students from kindergarteners to high school seniors were
involved in the project. The greenhouse will be used to
develop other gardens and provide another “classroom”
for students. Partners who assisted in the project were
USG, Nevada Cement, Black Rock Solar/Burning Man, Fernley
Electric, Washoe County Roads Dept., Courtney Rock and Transport,
Fernley Preservation Society, and Mull Construction.
Students Provide for Others - 2007-2008
Grant
Family and consumer science students from Lincoln County
High School, Panaca, used their skills in creating textile
items to provide for community members. The students learned
how to use sewing and embroidery machines to create various
items. These items were then sold during the students’
craft fair. The money earned from the event was donated
to Feed the Children. They also used their culinary skills
to provide an appreciation lunch for hospital staff. On
February 13, they visited long-term hospital patients where
they gave out Valentine’s Day cards, baked products,
and small quilts. The project’s partners included
Carol Mathews, Vanae Cumming, Jennifer Dorman, Lincoln County
High School, and the school’s Family, Career and Community
Leaders of America group.
2007 Elko County School District
The Elko High school partnered with many community clubs
and volunteers to organize the Johnny Appleseed Playground
project. The playground was built 14 years ago through tremendous
community collaboration and was in need of repair and renovation.
The playground is in the heart of the community and the
students truly completed service learning through this community
partnership.
Students participated in all aspects of the project. A key
club student organized the public relations side of the
project. This student worked with the club to gather community
support and make preparations for a community celebration
after the project was finished. A construction student was
charge of the construction and design committee and a woods
student chaired the restoration subcommittee.
The students partnered with the City of Elko, Kiwanis,
Rotary, Queenstake and Barrick Goldstrike Mining as well
as the community as a whole. Through these partnerships
the students developed skills in their career education
fields and at the same time learned the significance of
service-based learning. The students applied the knowledge
that they learned in the classroom to every aspect of this
project. From the planning to the construction, and renovation,
the students were actively involved in learning and community
service.
Overall this program helped to increase community partnerships
and add 10 more years to the life of the playground as well
as ensuring the playground complies with current safety
standards. Through service learning and career and technical
education, the community worked to secure funding for an
endowment to assist the City of Elko with the long term
playground maintenance. This program taught students to
be actively involved in community projects and allowed them
to develop career and technical skills that they can use
in their future educational pursuits. More Pictures- Elko1,Elko2,Elko3,Elko4,
Elko5,Elko6, & Elko7
2007 Lincoln County School District
Pahranagat Valley High School students used service learning
to build a greenhouse in order to meet community needs.
In the Pahranagat Valley community there is a lack of sources
for people to purchase fresh vegetables, gardening plants,
and flowers for yard beautification. Students worked shoulder
to shoulder with faculty, community partners, and volunteers
to build a successful community greenhouse. These same supporters
will assist in the future operation and maintenance of the
greenhouse.
Students learned valuable skills throughout this service
learning project. During the production and operation of
the greenhouse students learned business skills in finance,
production, supply and demand, inventory, quality control,
marketing and customer service. As well as business skills
the students also learned horticulture and agricultural
skills that will help in future educational pursuits and
allow them to earn college credit though the classes they
complete.
The students were actively involved in all aspects of the
project. They were part of the construction and in the immediate
future will be included in the maintenance, promotion, and
selling of the plants produced. The students presented the
project plan to the school, town, power and the sewage and
water company boards. The students worked with community
partners to promote and develop the greenhouse. The completed
greenhouse will eventually provide plants and flowers for
landscaping and community beautification. The students will
also raise and sell fresh vegetable plants. The students
plan to sell to three restaurants, the community grocery
store as well as the public. The students also plan to promote
environmental awareness and provide landscaping plans to
improve community parks and yards.
The Pahranagat Valley high school greenhouse will truly
provide a necessary community service and allow students
to learn essential life skills through service. Once the
greenhouse is established it will be a wonderful teaching
tool for many future students and an essential part of the
community. More Pictures- Lincoln1,Lincoln2,Lincoln3,
& Lincoln4.
Washoe
County School District
The Regional Technical Institute built on the experience
gained from the 2005-2006 Learn & Serve Grant in order
to create a community program designed to help middle students
decide on a career path and enable them to be successful
through career and technical education. RTI participated
in a school-wide service learning project. RTI students,
teachers, and administrators created a program that meets
a student and community need.
The school worked with students from a middle school which
has a high number of students who are at risk of not graduating
and not pursuing post secondary education. Student leaders
from RTI hosted and shared their career-based projects with
the middle school students and parents. Career and technical
teachers and students shared industry overviews and academic
courses for more than 12 different career fields. Students
were able to work one-on-one and maximize their experience
in order for the middle school students to gain the help
necessary to find career success.
Enrollment in career and technical education classes and
RTI has decreased in the past few years. RTI hopes the service
learning project will encourage the middle school students
to enroll in career and technical education. Statistics
have shown career and technical students have lower drop
out rates and higher test scores on Nevada proficiency tests
as well as higher high school graduation rates. RTI students
informed the middle school students of the opportunities
available to them and gave them the tools necessary to pursue
higher education and become successful productive citizens.
The project made a positive difference for the students
involved and helped to bring a sense of community to RTI. More Pictures- Washoe1,Washoe2,Washoe3, & Washoe4.
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