By the time Anzar High School students graduate, they will
complete a minimum of more than 100 hours of community service. But
it’s not just any community service requirement.
By the time Anzar High School students graduate, they will complete a minimum of more than 100 hours of community service. But it’s not just any community service requirement.
“The goal is having real-life problem-solving and learning going on,” said Sylvia Rios Metcalf, who’s serving her third term on the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District Board of Trustees. “The board wanted the community to get involved in the school and the school involved in the community.”
Anzar’s process, called Service Learning, is not like other community service programs required for graduation from high school. Students must complete six semesters of Service Learning, a minimum of 18 hours each semester, preferably spread out during the semester. The students are evaluated by their supervisors and advisors and, prior to graduation, present an exhibition that reflects on their experience when their six semesters are finished, said Anzar Principal Charlene McKowen.
“Service Learning requires a mutually beneficial experience for both parties. Filing papers in an office is not,” McKowen said. “Students must fill a real need as opposed to creating busy work.”
The emphasis at Anzar is not on time served, but on developing a relationship within the community.
The main point of Service Learning is reflection, said Paul Stampleman, Anzar librarian and Service Learning advisor.
“We’d like to know what (the students) got out of it,” he said.
To help students reflect on what they learned, Anzar has adopted a system of “Habits of Mind,” which consists of evidence, perspective, extension, relevance and reflection – each asking questions that students use to confront what they learned, Stampleman said.
Anzar senior Rose Lee said the program is advantageous for many students.
“It’s beneficial to those students who get something out of it,” she said. “A lot of students are knocking out their requirements.”
Lee fulfilled her Service Learning requirement by working at a summer camp and science camp and being a peer educator and tutor. She compared Service Learning to the school’s exhibitions.
“They’re just more requirements (that go beyond state standards),” she said. “Service Learning is helping (students) figure out what they want to do.”
Projects completed in the past include creating a meal program to feed needy community members, teaching a Mexican folklorico dance class, being a peer tutor, working on a school Web site, running after-school sports, crafts or academic programs and becoming trained docents at Mission San Juan Bautista.
Recently, a few students organized a food drive with Second Harvest Food Bank in three weeks, McKowen said.
“This is a really, really hard area,” she said. “There’s no public transportation. There’s no convalescent hospitals or animal shelters. Students really have to get creative.”
Anzar also offers a Service Learning elective class that places K-8 students in the district to help tutor children and aid teachers. The work goes on during the school day.
Before Anzar even opened its doors, the district’s Board of Trustees wanted Service Learning implemented at the high school.
“We wanted to start Anzar with a model (of service learning) that reflected the current and documented thinking in education,” Metcalf said.
While some students go beyond the required 18 hours per semester, others groan at the thought of the extra work. Stampleman said many students balk at the requirement.
“I’m truly amazed at the number of kids who didn’t want to do this and, as the semesters wear on, were glad they did this,” he said. “There are very few people who come back saying they didn’t learn anything.”
Even though it’s hard to find time for the extra work, Lee said she’s happy it was required.
“I’m glad someone put it in front of me,” she said. “If I help someone else out, our community will be so much better. People have to get it in their mind that helping the community is everyone’s job.”
