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=Welcome to the Hillbrook Service Learning Wiki!=

** SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM **
What is Service Learning?

Service learning is a teaching methodology that:
 * Allows students to learn and apply academic, social and personal skills to improve the community, continue individual growth and become better citizens.
 * Focuses on both the service and the learning.
 * Is appropriate for all students and all curricular areas.
 * Encourages cross-curricular integration.
 * Provides students structured time to reflect on their service experience.

What does Service Learning look like at Hillbrook? The Hillbrook School Service Learning Program integrates service into classroom learning, so to develop shared values of integrity, respect, and empathy while instilling a strong sense of social responsibility and civic awareness. The Service Learning Program challenges students to become real leaders: fully engaged, ethical, and responsible citizens of their local and global communities. Hands-on experience is essential. The Service Learning Program vitalizes an investigation of issues and concerns with valuable working knowledge about our communities. While Kindergarteners are busy composting and recycling, 3rd graders spend time with seniors at the Alzheimer’s Activity Center in San Jose, and 6th graders organize a book drive to create a school library in Malawi. There are many on-campus opportunities for students to serve as well, including: teachers’ assistants, Open House tour guides, and creek and garden maintenance.

Little History…
 * A**

1990s 7th and 8th grade teachers bring the concept of service to Hillbrook. Participants were asked to volunteer a minimum number of hours and completed their service projects outside of school. Students who volunteered 50 hours or more were recognized at the end of the school year.

2002 A grassroots “Service Core” of 13 7th and 8th graders gets involved in philanthropic activities coordinated by student government on campus. Since then, we have integrated meaningful service learning throughout all grades at Hillbrook, planting the seeds of lifelong service to others.

2004 Hillbrook partners with Comunidad, a local non-profit organization, to establish an ongoing relationship with the Cucapah Tribe of Mexico. 7th and 8th grade students run yearly drives to benefit the Cucapah Tribe, and funds are raised throughout the year to provide scholarships for Cucapah students wanting to continue their education past the elementary level.

2005 The Town of Los Gatos and The Honorable Mayor Mike Wasserman proclaim June 6th “Hillbrook School Community Service Recognition Day,” acknowledging the outstanding contributions of our students. During the 2004-2005 school year, 47 students in Hillbrook’s 7th & 8th grade classes logged a total of 2579 volunteer hours on and off campus.

GRADE LEVEL SERVICE LEARNING THEMES JK/K: Protect the Earth 1st: Animal Rescue 2nd: Embrace the World: African Animals 3rd: Differences and Disabilities 4th: Protecting California’s Natural Resources 5th: Bridging Communities 6th: Global Awareness 7th and 8th: Drives benefiting the Cucapah tribe in Mexico and local organizations. Monthly visits to Book Aloud, Live Oak Adult Day Services, InnVision, Sacred Heart Community Service, Gardner Elementary School, Luther Burbank School, and Full Circle Farm.