New Mexico State University Service Learning Program Fall 2015 & Spring 2016

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1 New Mexico State University Service Learning Program Fall 2015 & Spring 2016 Coordinated by NMSU Department of Educational Leadership and Administration In cooperation with AVANCE Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain Region (BBBS) Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces Casa de Peregrinos Children s Reading Foundation of Doña Ana County Colonias Development Council Doña Ana County Headstart El Ranchito de los Niños Fresh Eyes Project Girls Inc. of Santa Fe HELP NM La Casa, Inc. Las Colonias Development Council Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity Mesilla Valley Public Housing Authority New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding (NMCTR) PB&J Family Services, Inc. and Therapeutic Preschool Prison Family Services Rio Grande Food Project Roadrunner Food Bank Southwest Environmental Center Denise Rodriguez-Strawn SLED Programs Director College of Education Dept. Educational Leadership and Administration (O'Donnell Hall, Room 222L) MSC 3N, P. O. Box Las Cruces, NM (575) This material is based upon work originally supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under Learn and Serve America Grant No. 06LHHNM001 Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Corporation or the Learn and Serve America Program. Revised August 6,

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3 How does EDUC 315/515 connect Service Learning with NMSU s Education Department? Ø Ø Conceptual manifestations of culture, race, and ethnicity, class, gender, exceptionalities, language and bilingualism within the schooling process. EDUC315 same as EDUC515 with differentiated assignments for graduate students. What do EDUC 315/515 students do? Provide specific service learning at least 20 hours over 6 to 10 weeks of an academic semester in a community non-profit that has been contracted by the SLED Office. The service MUST meet the course objectives and goals set by the professor/instructor. What is Service Learning? Service learning is an instructional method that integrates service to the community into academic instruction through reflective thinking about both academic learning and civic responsibility. Secondly, Service Learning is a teaching and learning method that connects meaningful community service with academic learning through guided reflection. Areas of focus include: ü Critical Thinking and Problem Solving ü Values Clarification ü Career Exploration ü Social and Personal Development ü Civic and Community Responsibility The SLED programs are developed to provide opportunities for students to work with a diverse population within agencies who commit to providing our students with mentoring opportunities to build leadership and critical thinking skills. The Office of Service Learning is in the Department of Educational Management and Development: Community partners with the SLED Office will provide students with educational opportunities in community service through placement in government agencies, educational entities, civic organizations, and advocacy groups. We also fulfill community needs by maintaining and developing partnerships between college, student, and community, as well as providing assistance to faculty who are interested in developing service learning components in their courses. For Information about other service learning options, please contact the SLED Office at or servicelearning@nmsu.edu or harley@nmsu.edu. 3 Initials

4 Student Procedures Important Reminders: 1. BE ON TIME! Being late repeatedly will be not be tolerated by the non-profit agency supervisor and each site has informed us that they will dismiss you! 2. Remember to wear your service learning lanyard. a. You should always have your NMSU or Valid State License/ID, as well as any background check on your person every time you are at your SLED agency. 3. Sign in at the non-profit agency (specific procedures will vary at each agency so ask your supervisor & make note). 4. It is highly recommended that you complete a journal entry about your goals after each session, what was accomplished, and observations about whether or not the goals were accomplished. Finally, consider what your personal responses are to your assigned student and what strategies, if any, do you need to adopt to be a successful pre-service teacher. Keeping a journal will assist you in writing your course assignments. 5. Bring your pink time sheet(s) to each service learning session. Record ALL visits on your pink timesheet and get appropriate signatures (this is your attendance record). 6. Sign out at the main office, if applicable. MANDATORY!!!!!!!! What if I am absent? 1. The most important person to contact is the non-profit agency supervisor whom you have been placed with for the semester. If she or he is not available, leave a message with the secretary and/or their voice mail. Make sure you know the non-profit agency supervisor contact phone(s) numbers and ! a. You might want to ask your non-profit supervisor if there is an alternative number he or she would like you to use to reach him or her. 2. Next, and/or call the SLED Director (CC you course professor/instructor) with the reason you will be absent from that day s tutoring session. A written excuse will be required to be submitted to the SLED Office, 222L within 7 days of the absence. Not calling and/or sending an to the SLED Programs Director and NOT leaving a message at the placement agency for your supervisor WILL lead to your automatic dismissal from the program! 3. Make up the session by scheduling another one with your site/school/non-profit supervisor. 4 Initials

5 Agency Required DRESS CODE It is important that all SLED students give a clean, neat and appropriate appearance every time they are at the agency. A message of professionalism and competence should be delivered to the agency staff and clients at all times through the dress code. Agency supervisors will provide the specific policies at orientation, which apply to the agency employees and there is no exception for service learning students. It is the responsibility of the agency supervisors to enforce and address concerns with the SLED student, as well as notify the SLED Program Director of any issues. At that time, your course instructor/professor will be notified. Jewelry and body art will differ at each agency so ASK!! 1. A lanyard will be provided to you by the Service Learning Director at the time of placement. 2. Wear black or khaki colored pants or skirts (if possible). 3. DO NOT wear jeans to your service learning site. 4. Wear comfortable shoes, NO flip-flops or sandals. 5. Dress to impress, as if this is a job interview (if you would not wear it to an interview DO NOT wear it to your service learning site). Not appropriate: Sweats, wind-suits, capri pants, leggings/stirrup pants, shorts, skorts Skirts or Dresses shorter than 2 inches above the knee Baggie Pants or low-cut pants that expose your undergarments Low cut blouses or shirts, tube/halter tops, midriff tops Torn or cut off pants/shorts Spaghetti or strapless shirts or dresses PERSONAL INFORMATION The agency cannot give out phone numbers of clients, and has no responsibility for activities taking place outside of the agency. Do not ask a client (especially a minor) for his or her contact information. Do not agree to drive a client to or from location or to any other location. Likewise, you should not give your contact information to any client for any reason. The agency supervisor(s) will require a phone number in case he or she may need to reach you concerning a change or client s absence. *Texting a client, student, teacher, professor, and/or instructor is a violation of your contract and will result in your dismissal from the SLED Program, unless you have been given written permission. QUESTIONS For additional questions or concerns contact the agency supervisor by leaving a note in her or his mailbox, leaving a message on her or his voic . You may also contact Denise Rodriguez-Strawn at or via harley@nmsu.edu and servicelearning@nmsu.edu. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION We welcome and encourage your feedback, both positive and constructive. Please feel free to share your suggestions. 5 Initials

6 DO S and DON TS DO wear your I.D. lanyard. DO be on time and prepared. DO know where the sign-in notebook is located (if applicable). DO know what to do if you re absent. DO feel free to ask for advice and suggestions from your agency supervisor, EDUC 315/515 professor/instructor instructor, and/or SLED Programs Director. DO know what to do if you suspect abuse or neglect of a child/client with whom you are working. DO set goals for your visits. DO challenge yourself! DO accept your role as a mentor, not as a friend. DO respect personal space, both yours and others at your service learning placement agency. DO know the agency layout, parking and facilities available. DO know fire drill procedures and safety rules. DON T drive your client(s) anywhere. DON T entertain inappropriate questions or discuss issues that make you uncomfortable. DON T give rewards such as candy, prizes, and presents. DON T give empty praise make it meaningful. DON T take the client, especially minors outside the designated area or promise time outside of your service learning hours. DON T answer or send text-messages on your cell phone. DON T establish instructional objectives or lesson plans. DON T administer corporal punishment or determine punishment. DON T assume responsibility for an entire class or client in the absence of a supervising staff. DON T give medication. DON T use tobacco products or alcohol on any agency s property, especially school campuses. DON T discipline any client; it is the sole responsibility of the agency personnel. DON T do any of the above with adult clients either! DO feel proud for your service! DO congratulate yourself for making a difference in the community! DO continue next semester! 6 Initials

7 SLED Student Agreement: Requirements for the Service Learning Section of this course: For Teacher Education Program (TEP), the only hours that the Service Learning Office will confirm are those hours beyond the minimum requirements for the course. The minimum required hours for THIS course will NOT count towards community service hours for TEP. Your initial signifies that you understand the above statement I will be responsible for the following: Agree to attend all mandatory orientation and training sessions provided by the SLED office. Complete a minimum 20 hours as stated in your syllabus and by your EDUC315/515 professor/instructor. Calling and sending an to the SLED Programs Director AND leaving a message at the placement site/school/non-profit for your supervisor, if unable to attend a tutoring session. Follow all policies of the site, including health and safety precautions and confidentiality. Do not go beyond the scope of assigned responsibilities! Use your judgment, and refuse risky or inappropriate requests and situations. Always wear your lanyard that has been provided to you during placement or the agency. Please make sure that you have your NMSU I.D. and/or Drivers License. Do not work in a room alone with a child or *other client, or transport a child or other client. Follow all confidentiality and reporting policies at the site, as well as the NMSU Student Code of Conduct policies. We recommend that students carry health, accident, and auto insurance, as they are not covered under any college insurance policy. Notify the SLED Programs Director and/or EDUC315/515 professor/instructor of any concerns or changes. If you decide to drop EDUC 315/515 after you have been assigned to a SLED agency, please call SLED Program Director at , as soon as possible. Communication is a vital element and the key to being a successful SLED student. *Texting a client, student, teacher, professor, and/or instructor is a violation of your contract and will result in your dismissal from the SLED Program, unless you have been given written permission. Complete all other regular course requirements required by the course professor/instructor. You are expected to attend all scheduled class lectures provided by your EDUC 315/515 professor/instructor and follow the syllabus provided to you for this course. If you are permanently dismissed from a SLED agency by an administrator, supervisor, and/or teacher this will result in immediate dismissal from the Service Learning Program. Provide classroom orientation and reflection sessions as requested by 315/515 Instructors. 7

8 Respond with resources and consultation within two weeks of a direct request from an instructor. Provide support through challenges or difficulties encountered at service sites. Respect the agreement the student and service learning site work out together (i.e. if a special event is taking place and site is in need of volunteers and offers a 6 hour volunteer shift to the student then it will be up to the student to participate for those number of hours). Approval must be received by SLED office prior to volunteering for more than X number of hours, once approval received SLED office will honor complete volunteer shift. To be supportive and accessible by maintaining walk-in/drop-in hours for student and instructors throughout the semester, as needed. Furnish opportunities to receive feedback and evaluation of student s efforts from your service site (information to be shared with instructor and SLED office). Furnish opportunity for student to make suggestions and evaluate experience of service learning site and SLED office so student develops a sense of being an integral part of the program (information to be shared with instructor and SLED office). Distribute student service learning survey two weeks before the end of the semester and provide a report of scores and comments made by students to all instructors. General Policies Regarding Conduct/Academic Etiquette Students who use bad language directed at the SLED Director or the staff in the Educational Leadership and Administration department in which SLED is housed will result in the termination of the meeting or phone call; the instructor will be informed of the incident, and the student will be removed from the SLED program. Based on the severity of the verbal assault, the SLED Director reserves the right to refuse to admit the student into the program in future semesters. Language that is bad will be determined by the recipient of the remark. If you use specific language and the person perceives this as bad, then it is treated as bad. Students who are absent at the agency during the agreed-upon service learning time without contacting the SL director and the site supervisor and without a documented excuse will be removed from the service learning program for that semester. Two absences and you re out of the program. If you are going to be late to your service learning agency, or if you are going to be absent, it is absolutely required that you contact both the SLED Director AND your supervisor at your service learning site. If you know in advance that you will be absent, you must make these calls before the time that you were to arrive. For an absence to be excused, you must show the Director documented proof explaining your absence. An unexcused absence or an absence that was not communicated to both the SLED Director AND site supervisor may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program for that semester. 8

9 If you would like to participate in the SLED Program for either Fall 2015 or Spring 2016 and you understand what will be required and that your file is under university domain (any & all departments, programs, faculty, etc. have the authority to request a copy of your file without your written or verbal consent), please sign & date the bottom of this sheet. A copy will be provided to you upon written request. (BLUE INK ONLY) Course Title: Section: Instructor s Name: Full Name (Please Print) Banner ID# Signature Date 9