Our annual spring day of service was May 12, and we were blown away by the work that our students completed. They were investigators, mathematicians, foragers, gardeners, inspectors, and researchers.
The students divided into four interest groups: energy use, air/soil quality, green cleaners, and edible gardening. Students in group one did an energy audit of the school. They did an inventory of all the lightbulbs in our school and then calculated how much energy they each use. They also collected survey data from students about their water use at home. To finish out their day, they made reminders about ways to save energy to hang around the school.
In the morning, students in group two worked with two experts from the Indiana Department of Health to conduct air testing throughout the school. In the afternoon, they collected soil samples from several areas on our school grounds.
Group three researched the cleaners that are used in our school each day and learned about the benefits of using green or natural cleaning products. They spent the afternoon making samples of homemade, vinegar based multi-purpose cleaner for each student to take home with them.
Finally, students in group four planted an edible garden outside of our K-1 classroom, with the help of school parent Diana Gibbons, and spent the afternoon foraging for edible and medicinal plants on our school grounds with experts from White Pine Wilderness Academy.Read More
In preparation for our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, students selected their favorite Dr. King quote and reflected on the meaning of it. Several students presented these reflections at our whole school meeting to kick off our Day of Service.
Abby, grade 8
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”
To me this Quote means we all may have different skin colors, or have different religions, or may come from different places, but we are all in the same sorta place right now. We all have to follow the same laws and we all have the same rights as an American citizen (supposedly). So that’s what I think Martin Luther King Jr. day is all about- realizing that we may have a different background and have different circumstances but we all live in the same country and we all want to have peace in our country (you would hope).
Marcela, grade 7
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
I interpret this as only when something horrible is happening, do people stand up and shine. Only when darkness and hate hang over us like dark clouds, do we stand up from our seats and spread our love. We worry about ‘what if this happens’ and ‘what if that happens’, but we do not realize the clouds coming until they are already above us. When we realize this darkness, we feel inspired to do something. Something meaningful. There is a whole lot of darkness in the night sky, but when you look up, you see all of the stars shining. To me Martin Luther King Day is about someone stood up and saw the clouds rumbling over him and, instead of asking what ifs, began to shine. He inspired others to get up and spread their love, that way when the clouds came they were ready for them. He turned our world around and so today, I too, can shine.
Skylar, grade 6
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
Loving someone can make you so glad, but hate for someone makes you mad yourself. We might not like a lot of people, or just one person; they might send a bad vibe or be mean . We might even call them our enemies. But we should not be mean to them. They are human too. If we kill them with kindness they might be nice to us too. If we love them they might just feel that love and know they are safe. They might even change, in the best way possible. They might just love you too. Love is a powerful thing. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a very wise man. He knew that love was the most important thing in the world. I just want you to know that everybody has a good side to them, you just have to find it. They might just be your friend.
Seth, grade 8
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
This quote to me means that hatred can degrade you, and that loving something is a lot easier to do and can improve you as a person. This quote basically exemplifies his movement as a whole. His movement was about love, loving all people. This quote is the exactly the same. Instead of hating people who thought people of color should not be equals, he chose to do peaceful protest to change their mindset. He did extremely powerful speeches to get his ideas out to the public. In the end hatred achieves nothing. If he were to have decided to go down the path of hatred, he would have never made an impact at all.
Arielle, grade 4
“The function of education is to teach one to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
I think School for Community Learning teaches both intelligence and character. One reason is that I think School for Community Learning shows intelligence and character is that they teach some of the 5th grade work to the 4th graders.
Another way that School for Community Learning teaches intelligence and character is that they give students a chance of their own points of views.
The last reason why I think School for Community Learning teaches both intelligence and character is that they have Passions which is a way to pick between many picks’ about what you would like to do for 1 hour every Tuesday and Thursday.
Now you know why I think School for Community Learning teaches intelligence and character.
Christina, grade 4
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says that the function of education is to tech one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.”
I think that SCL teaches both academic thinking and character.
One reason SCL is smaller than other schools because we only have 4 teachers and classes are combined and we teach community because we share rooms.
A reason SCL teaches character is by doing good projects like making a compost bucket our of empty water jugs for the whole school. The jugs are made of plastic so we are reusing things that you could just recycle and forget about.
Lastly, we have good community by rules not to leave others our of a game or friend group. They also teach us responsibility by making sure every wrong is right.
SCL is connected by size.
SCL teaches community by difference.
SCL teaches responsibility by good projects.
SCL teaches us intelligence and character by connection, community and last, responsibility.
Myra, grade 5
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
How I think School for Community Learning fulfills MLK’s quote is we teach both character and intelligence.
One reason I think our teachers and staff are kind and understanding is because when someone forgot their homework then the teacher and student will decide what to do, then the student brings back the homework the next day. This is why I think the teachers and staff at our school and kind and understanding.
Secondly we have been taught to be understanding and have manners because the teachers are understanding and act polite, so we do the same. This is a reason why I think we have manners and good understanding.
Lastly even if we don’t like some people we still treat each other with respect and treat each other like a community because we have been taught to care and be kind and accept what happens. This is the reason why I think we treat each other with respect and treat each other like a community.
Chioh, grade 5
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
You ask me many questions about this quote. I will say I agree with it very much and I think School for Community Learning applies to this well. Let me tell you why.
One, I think our learning curriculum supports and has students thinking critically. That is because the School for Community Learning puts us in scenarios where we need to really think how to handle this situation. That is the first reason why I think School for Community Learning applies to MLK’s quote very well.
Two, the way SCL teaches let’s students express their emotions in a way the teacher understands. That way the student can give kindness to the community and the community can give that kindness to other communities and so on. That is my second reason I think SCL (School for Community Learning) applies to MLK’s quote very well.
Three and finally, the reason we teach so peaceful and calmly is to let students see there’s a way to be intelligent with character. For the past three years I’ve been here, when a teacher puts their hands on a student it’s to comfort or greet a student. By this way students can become polite. That way students can build character very well. Overall I think School for Community Learning applies to the way MLK thought teaching should be.
Lennon, grade 4
Do you know MLK? Well in one of his quotes he said “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character.” I am going to tell you how School for Community Learning is fulfilling that quote.
They helped me find my passion. SCL helped me find stuff I liked. I have a more stuff to do that I’ve never tried before. Passions is always fun and hard. Clearly, passions is character and intelligence.
They are really nice and are always helping kids. They are always there for us. They care for us and our health. They help us when we are struggling. Clearly, they are fulfilling MLK’s quote.
They help us be good people in life. They always tell us to be kind to one and other. They don’t yell at us unless they have to. We have reflections to think back on our favorite part of mistakes so we can change it tomorrow. Clearly they are teach us to be good people. In conclusion, I think SCL is fulfilling MLK’s quote.
On Monday, January 16, students at School for Community Learning participated in the 5th annual schoolwide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Each class completed a service project to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.
The Early Primary (Kindergarten+1 grade) class visited American Village Senior Living Center and completed an art project with the residents.
The Primary class (2+3 grade) went to the Martin Luther King Community Center in the morning to decorate the center for their coat and family kit drive. In the afternoon, they made bandannas to send to the dogs and cats at the Humane Society.
The Intermediate class (4+5 grade) received a presentation about aboriginal technology & indigenous culture from Amos and Carter with White Pine Wilderness Academy this morning. After that, they made blankets to send to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
The Middle School (6-8 grade) decided to use the morning to show gratitude to our public safety personnel. They delivered some treats to the crew at Indianapolis Fire Department Station 14 and Butler Police Department as a way of saying “thank you.” In the afternoon, they participated in the 3rd Annual MLK Love Walk hosted by Bust the B.U.B.B.L.E., a student organization focused on amplifying the voices of students of color at predominantly white institutions of higher learning. The Love Walk started at Butler University and ended at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, where a discussion about the work of Dr. King immediately followed.
Service and community engagement are at the core of our school’s philosophy, so we take this opportunity to remember Dr. King’s legacy and reflect on his message of organizing and taking action.Read More
In the beginning of winter break, our School Leader Patricia Wildhack and board member Francine Dash spoke about the story of our school’s incredible journey! Take a listen!!!Read More
We invite community members, families, and students to discuss the social issues and happenings that matter most in our city. This year, our students are studying the question: “What does it mean to be a mindful contributor to my communities?”Read More
In 2012, when we became Project Libertas we experienced a rebirth. We believe our current transformation is more of a graduation. Our school is no longer a project – it has graduated to become a thriving, growing school.Read More
We are honored to be chosen as SmallBox’s 2015 24 Hour Web Project recipient! For this project, SmallBox designed, developed, and donated our new website, as well as designing print pieces, helping with social media and more. It would be hard to find a more creative, supportive, fun and intelligent group to work with.
All of us at the School for Community Learning thank SmallBox for the website and marketing know-how! To see more about what we were up to during the project, check out the 24 Hour Web Project site.Read More