Plattsburgh City School District's

Learn and Serve America Program

Our program focuses on meeting the New York State Education Standards and helping students build assets through community service projects.  Here are a few of our many service learning projects:

Paired Reading — Based on Dr. Keith Topping’s work, our students are paired with younger ones.  They read aloud together, following a very specific format, three times a week for 15 minutes.  Students in this program have made significant improvements in their reading skills and motivation to read.

Reading Buddies — A less intensive program where older reading buddies promote literacy by reading to younger children. 

Visits with Seniors — Students visit local nursing homes and senior centers, reading books, delivering Valentine’s Day and Halloween projects, and playing games with the residents.

Thanksgiving Baskets — Students learn important lessons about poverty, money and giving to others as they raise funds and buy complete Thanksgiving dinners for people in need.

Understanding Disabilities — Students join forces with members of our local ARC to learn about disabilities and to work to better our community.

Christmas Wreaths for Veterans and Troops — Students partner with Pray’s Farmers Market to make and decorate pine wreaths.  These are given at Christmastime to veterans and the families of soldiers serving in the Gulf. 

Children Feeding Children Poetry Coffee House — Students learn about children in Nicaragua and write poems based on what they've learned.  These are presented at a poetry coffee house.  All money raised goes to the feed children in Nicaragua through the Mission of Hope.

Environmental Awareness Fair – Students work with members of the League of Women Voters and the Girl Scouts to plan and host an Environmental Awareness Fair at Champlain Centre Mall.  They design the logo for the event.  They help publicize it.  And they do research on environmental causes and set up booths to educate the public.

Empty Bowls — Students learn how to make ceramic bowls.  They then donate the bowls to be sold with soup for a food shelf fundraiser.

Letters to Soldiers — Students work with Blue Star Moms to send letters of support to American Soldiers overseas.

And Much More …

For more information, contact Karen McCarthy at Champlain Valley Family Center, 20 Ampersand Drive, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.  (518) 562-9009