FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 12, 2010 Contact: Principal Tina Nilsen-Hodges 607-882-9220 extension 100
New Roots Students Take Action in Ithaca Community Wednesday afternoons at New Roots High School are different. When classes end at 2:30, there’s still two hours left in the school day, but students have left the building. And they’re off! In fact, Wednesday afternoons are not at New Roots. Instead, students of Ithaca’s new charter high school take this time for short field trips to volunteer throughout the community as part of their weekly Service Learning program. Learning through service work is an ever-steady academic staple at New Roots, and the possibilities are growing. As New Roots begins its third trimester and students continue on-going Service Learning projects, they’re also delving into new projects. This spring, in addition to teaching technology to seniors and reading to children, New Roots students will learn about park stewardship, community gardening, and combating racism. To that end, students will participate in Talking Circles on Race and Racism, a dialogue coordinated by the Multicultural Resource Center that allows people the opportunity for frank, respectful conversations about race and racism. Talking Circles provide a floor for self-reflection, sharing experiences, and influencing others’ perspectives and attitudes. Students will also work as a traveling garden crew to support the many local gardens of downtown Ithaca and beyond — all while learning gardening skills and making affordable, locally-grown, healthy food available to our neighbors. New Roots is creating a park stewardship team to help keep the Town of Ithaca parks and trails safe, clean and protected. These students will have the chance to spend time outside and fully engaged in local park maintenance. More information about New Roots’ Service Learning Program is available online at www.newrootsschool.org, along with details and descriptions about the other projects in which students are involved. New Roots is located in Downtown Ithaca in the Historic Clinton House on North Cayuga Street. The community is encouraged to contact New Roots at 607-882-9220, extension 100. -- Taryn Thompson Assistant to the Principal New Roots Charter School 116 North Cayuga Street Public Charter High School Ithaca, New York 14850 http://newrootsschool.org o: 607.882.9220 x 203 m: 585.329.7784 f: 607.882.9230 _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
