United Way ~ Salisbury School Community Connection Program
"Teaching to the Heart and Connecting Students with the Community"
For the past 3 years, our local United Way and The Salisbury School have combined energies in a unique partnership to help students learn about community needs and enhance their overall educational experience. The objective of the program is to introduce and sensitize students to a wide variety of health and human service needs through in-class instruction and hands-on community opportunities. From monthly in-class lessons… to tours in the community to see what services are available for specific needs…to end of year projects that impact the community…the program is quickly gaining a reputation as the model of a successful out of the box experiential learning opportunity.
Study Areas
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Kindergarten ~ Hunger
1st Grade ~ Community Heroes
2nd Grade ~ Community Safety
3rd Grade ~ Literacy
4th Grade ~ Environment
5th Grade ~ Poverty & Homelessness
6th Grade ~ Emergency Services
7th Grade ~ Aging and Senior Needs
8th Grade ~ Substance Abuse
9th Grade ~ Disabilities
10th ~ 12th
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The Good L.U.K. (Lifting Up Kids) Club
The Health NUTS (Helping those who Suffer)
The C.A.R.E. (Caring for R Elderly) Bears
The F.U.N. (Fillin Up on Nutrition) Club
The R.A.K. (Random Acts of Kindness) PACK
Highlights of the end of the year projects included …
Kindergarten ~ A school wide Macaroni & Cheese Drive which resulted in over 100 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese for the hungry children fed from the Maryland Food Bank
3rd Grade ~ A bookcase hand painted by students along with 60 brand new books for children are staying at the Life Crisis Safe Home to take with them when they leave the shelter.
6th Grade ~ All 32 sixth graders became CPR certified through the American Red Cross so they will better be able to assist in emergencies.
7th Grade ~ A Full student talent show with 14 acts was presented to the seniors at M.A.C.'s Riverside Senior Center…including a great rendition of Who's on First?
9th Grade ~ A complete student created carnival was provided at Cedar Chapel Special School in the morning and in the afternoon provided for 86 attendees of Somerset Community Services….all complete with face painting, bubble blowing, cookie decorating, bean bag tosses, beach ball races, and even dance contests!
