Service-Learning at BCC
Education in action at Berkshire Community College
Service-Learning Recognition Luncheon – May 10th
May 11th
On Thursday, May 10th BCC hosted a celebratory luncheon to honor and recognize 55 students, faculty members and community representatives who participated in Service-Learning during the spring 2012 semester. Students received certificates presented by Dean of Academic Affairs, Fran Feinerman. The group heard from appreciative and dedicated community partners and three students shared reflections on their service-learning experience.
(Click link to view video of student presentations.)
Sign Up for BCC’s 4th Annual Green Up Today!
Apr 24th
Dear BCC Community:
April 27th will be the fourth annual Berkshire Community College Campus Green Up. You can find information on the Green Up on the college website at: http://www.berkshirecc.edu/campusgreenupday
If you are ready to sign up to participate, you can click here to go directly the new online sign up form- it’s paper free and Zero Waste!
If you have any questions about this, contact me at 413-236-2105 or ckaminsk@berkshirecc.edu.
ALSO: Special thanks to Interim President Ellen Kennedy for providing a voucher for lunch to be provided for anyone that participates in the day’s activities.
Thank you and we hope you’ll be able to join us.
Charlie Kaminski
BCC Green Team
Things are getting CHILLy!
Apr 20th
This week, the second session in the CHILL series took place in the General Bartlett Room on Tuesday at 2:00.
This timely discussion took place just before PRIDE’s observance of the Day of Silence by hosting a silent lunch. Today, they ate their lunches together in silence to support our GLBT students, faculty, staff, friends and family members who may still feel they have to be silent at BCC or in our community.
At the CHILL session, with 15 attendees, Peg Cookson led students in a lively discussion around Berkshire County’s LGBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) Community. Of those in attendance, Sociology Faculty Member Colin Adams, brought his human sexuality class. While students expressed wanting to explore more about coming out and self-awareness, a majority of students appreciated the informative discussion and opportunity to learn more about the challenges and strengths of the LGBT community here in our BCC and County-wide community.
CHILL with Service-Learning
Apr 13th
Last Tuesday, the Service-Learning Club and Leaders held its first session of the CHILL series that takes place each semester. This semester’s series concentrates on exploring issues relating to diversity in our county. The series took off without a hitch, with a lively discussion on socio-economic status (class). Kim McMann shared her experiences living and working in our Berkshire community and answer questions from five students, one faculty and four staff. It was also attended by all four Service-Learning Student Leaders.
Next week, students will hear from Peg Cookson on Gender and Sexuality. All are welcome to attend, forum credit will be granted and light refreshments will be served.
Berkshire County Goes to College
Apr 11th
Jade, Lisa and Janet prepare to teach the 6th graders about volunteerism and service-learning
Today, students from Herberg Middle School had the opportunity to attend college. Amongst the workshops offered to 200 sixth graders, Service-Learning provided an interactive game for students to learn about their peers’ previous experiences with volunteerism. Beyond this, they enjoyed the opportunity to learn about other potential adventures they can have volunteering in the community. This game, People Bingo, was a bingo board with a variety of opportunities in which students had to get the signatures of the adults and their peers that were in the room who had participated in the specific volunteer opportunities listed. It was also an exciting time for the Service-Learning Student Leaders to share their own experiences in the field. Between the poptarts and rice krispy treats, the kids seemed to really enjoy the lessons learned and shared. Service-Learning looks forward to next year’s round of students.
Students try to find out what activities in which their peers have participated
This Week: Updates from the Service-Learning Office
Apr 9th
The Service-Learning Club and Student-Leaders invites all to take part in a series on Diversity that explores issues relating to diversity in our county. This weeks topic will cover socioeconomic status (class), and one community member’s experience around living and working in our community. Kim McMann will share her experiences and answer questions from students. It will take place in the Rear of the SBA Lounge at 2:00 on April 10th.
Future dates, at the same time and location, will take place on April 17th (Gender and Sexuality; Peg Cookson), May 1st (Race; Eddie Taylor) and May 8th (Religion; Chaplains from Williams College).
Forum Credit Available and Refreshments Served!
Stories from the Field: Kelly Summers
Mar 30th
Kelly Summers is participating in Service-Learning as a tutor at Crosby Elementary School. She is serving to meet requirements of her Human Growth and Development Course. Here is a reflection that she sent our office on her first week of service:
I’m giving extra support to kids in math and doing letter sounds. I have been working mainly with one girl and what I have
noticed so far is that she is getting her letter and numbers mixed up so that is going to be my focus with her. The whole class knows my name, they know when I am going to be there and for how long.
Today when I entered the room everyone jumped up to say “hello” then the whole class was asking the teacher if they can sit at my table to get some extra help. The teacher is pretty fair and she does let one or two of the students to sit with me which is fine with me because I feel the children can always learn from each other or get support from other students.
Today, the story I want to share with the BCC community highlights one little boy in particular. Upon my arrival this morning, he came over to my table and said, “I’m seven years old, and I have a brother who is seventeen years old and he has taught me everything about the world so, you see I don’t need to sit at your table to learn.”
Upon hearing this, I responded: “Wow, you are so lucky to have a brother to teach you [about] the world, because I don’t even know that.”
The boy just had a big smile on this face.
I continued: ”You still can sit at my table and color if you would like.”
The boy smiled, saying ”Well, I guess I can do that.”
Wow!! How funny is that interaction? I have to say that little boy made my day! It is great to know the power and influence of older person that has on a child is truly amazing.
Students in the Schools
Mar 23rd
This week, several students had the opportunity to attend staff meetings for 21st Century (After School) Programming at their host sites (Conte Community School and Crosby Elementary School). These staff meetings afforded students the opportunity to meet other coordinators of after school programs and to network with the teachers with whom they will work beside.
Next week, there will be a Professional Day Training located at Conte on Tuesday, March 27th from 3:45 to 6:15 – this is a training for all individuals coordinating 21st Century (After School) Programming at local elementary schools. Students will receive training that will assist them in running their program. Additionally, learning outcomes and goals will be covered for the kids for whom they are providing programs.
One student indicated that these opportunities were invaluable to her professional development and education. She delighted in the fact that she would be a part of the culture – despite being a student in college.
Board of Higher Education for Massachusetts: A Big Announcement
Mar 13th
Last week, the Board of Higher Education for Massachusetts determined that Civic Engagement was enough of a priority to be included with the Vision Project. You can read more about their decision and the project here. It should be noted that this follows a decision from the Board of Higher Education that they will be pursuing the status of LEAP State. This is a timely announcement as Berkshire Community College prepares to host a workshop for faculty exploring the use of civic engagement in their classrooms. This workshop, “Learning for the Common Good: Using Service Learning to Promote Civic Engagement” will be provided by Massachusetts Campus Compact on April 24th. The goal of this workshop will be to explore the Civic Engagement outcomes for LEAP in addition to developing a syllabus to include Service-Learning.
Jeremy Poehnert, Member Relations Specialist at Massachusetts Campus Compact, explains it best: “LEAP is a national project by the AAC&U which offers a model for student learning outcomes.”
Spotlight on Student Leaders: Kimberly (Jade) Rose
Mar 6th
My name is Kimberly (Jade) Rose, I am 23 and this is my second semester participating as a student leader for the Service-Learning program. I am transferring next semester to a four year college to major in noetic and neuro psychology. Throughout middle school and high school I was involved in many service oriented community programs including; Habitat for Humanity, UNITY Youth Leadership, Grooove, GSA to name a few. I have always believed in helping people, it is part of my personal mantra and it’s the right thing to do. Community outreach is so vital to many people because it opens door ways to unknown or, seemingly, unreachable places for those seeking it. It is important, to me, to stay active in my own community by giving back and helping others. After graduating high school, I joined an AmeriCorps programs called City Year. This allowed me to work directly with under-privileged youth, tutoring them and leading after school programs. It was amazing to watch the kids grow, learn, and come realize that they had true potential and that they can make a positive difference in their own lives as well as those around them. Service-Learning is an amazing way to connect, network and build a foundation to so many potential paths in your life. I will always seek out service-oriented programs, no matter which direction I follow.
