Related CSL Program Activities
This is a partial listing of activities in the various schools that have CSL components.
R.J. Grey Junior High School and Acton Elementary Schools
Living Democracy Program- Grades 5 and 7
*Video available - please contact Susan Horn.
The Living Democracy Program focuses on connecting the civics goals of our social studies program in grades 5 and 7 with the responsibilities of citizenship through community service projects. The program is funded through a CSL grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education. In grade 5, all sixteen grade 5 classrooms held a Mock town meeting open to family members. Students researched trash issues and alternative solutions to the current trash dilemma in Acton. They then made informative posters and held a mock town meeting. The Acton Area League of Women Voters were instrumental in assisting the classroom teachers and Deborah Bookis, the K-12 Curriculum Coordinator and Living Democracy Program Coordinator.
Seventh grade teams addressed the Living Democracy call to encourage students to become active citizens in a variety of ways. Projects have included tsunami relief, a "You, Too, Can Make A Difference" project with community service site visits, a homelessness project and election projects.
Acton Boxborough Regional High School
Accept the Challenge - A challenge to students to do 25 hours or more per calendar year of community service. Forms are available in the counseling center explaining the program, a listing of names of local agencies where students can volunteer and a tracking form.
Community Service Awards Night - Held every year, usually on the Martin Luther King Holiday, to give recognition to students who have completed a certain number of hours of community service.
Volunteer Opportunities Website - A listing of local agency needs where students and others may be able to help out. The site is located on the high school s website on the main page, under Volunteer Opportunities.
Peer Counseling - ABRHS juniors and seniors receive training in counseling techniques and are matched up with younger students in big brother/big sister relationships.
Peer Tutoring - High school students tutor fellow classmates who are in need of academic help.
Mentoring Program - Upperclassmen work as Teaching Assistants and Mentors in the 9th and 10th grade classrooms on a daily basis, tutoring in math, English, social studies and science.
Student Government Internship Program - Social Studies students work in a ten week internship with the schools or town government.
Child Development Class - Students in Child Development provide daily classroom assistance in the preschool program at the high school.
Acton-Boxborough Community Outreach (ABCO) - This is the school's community service extracurricular club. Students work on a variety of community service and service learning activities.
Recycling Team- Students operate the High School's recycling program for paper, bottles and cans.
T.V. Production Course - Students provide videotaping at school and community functions for the local cable T.V. station.
Youth in Philanthropy Program- Working with the Crossroads Community Foundation students learn about philanthropy through involvement in the grant making process.