Statewide+Service-Learning+Retreat

May 5-7 at the Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells
 * Statewide Service-Learning Retreat**

The following teachers attended the retreat: Deb Tryggestad Jenny Statza Sandy Brick Lynn Rappis Laura Peterson Michelle Tahtinen Ryan Craig Gina Holtz Denise Boucher Amy Graff Bridget Halverson Cathy Chandler

** Statewide Service-Learning Retreat ** Thursday, May 5 (6 p.m.) – Saturday, May 7 (12 p.m.), 2010

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is pleased to announce that **Shelley Billig, Vice President of RMC Research,** will lead a high-quality professional development experience for school district teams on April 29-May 1, 2010 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. Interested districts are asked to identify a team of teachers and administrators that will plan for advancing service-learning as a key district initiative.

** Register your district team today at: **** @http://www.regonline.com/2011_statewide_service_learning_retreat **

**Why Should We Attend?** Instructional approaches that effectively address 21st century skills are far more powerful than the “stand and deliver” modes of the past. One such promising approach is service-learning, an instructional approach that engages students in addressing community issues as a way of deepening their academic skill development. Service-learning is unique in that it helps students acquire knowledge and skills in a hands-on way (shown to be a critical component for many learners) but also in a way that engages them socially and emotionally, by showing them that they can make a difference. They connect to the community and to their classmates in ways that are far more powerful than simple cooperative learning. By applying knowledge and skills to solve real community issues, students learn the value of their schooling, the ways they can contribute to the world, and how to work with others to meet needs. Research has consistently demonstrated that high quality service-learning leads to increased academic, civic, and social-emotional outcomes. Bring a team to this training to learn how your district can achieve sustainable high quality practice through district leadership and support that nurtures continuous improvement.

**Training Goals** Participants will: 1. Use the National K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice to deepen practice in high quality service-learning to increase academic achievement and engagement, and reduce dropout rates. 2. Learn how to collect, analyze, and use data to drive continuous improvement. 3. Create a plan to integrate service-learning throughout the district as part of the district’s school improvement efforts. 4. Become part of a network of districts which use and support service-learning.

Tony Evers, State Superintendent // [|http://www.dpi.wi.gov] // ||
 * Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

**Requirements of the District** Each district participating in the training should commit a team to provide service-learning experiences for students by infusing service-learning into classroom instruction. Each team must have: ü At least two educators, representing elementary, middle, and high school levels **//(required)//**//.// ü At least one administrator with the capacity to carry out the district’s commitment to service-learning **//(required)//**//.// ü Other teachers or school staff interested in offering program support //(recommended).// ü A school board member or community partner who will assist with service-learning efforts //(recommended).// ü Active adminis­trative support to ensure the success and continuation of the program. Participating districts will participate in the service-learning training on **Thursday, May 5 (6 p.m.) through Saturday, May 7 (12 p.m.)** at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. Cost for the training is $100 per team (up to three participants). Additional participants are $150 per person. Costs include the training, materials, implementation guide, meals, and hotel. Districts are expected to pay mileage and staff time away from the district. **Please note that rooms provided do not include lodging for friends or family members.**

**Benefits to the District** · High quality professional development experiences based on best practices and brain-based learning strategies through training, resources, and ongoing support. · Instructional and program support from DPI staff to help implement and institutionalize service-learning. This assistance takes a variety of forms: site visits, email and phone support, meetings held locally, and statewide gatherings. · Service-learning implementation guide and program resources. · Meaningful involvement in instructional methodology that has been demonstrated to increase students’ academic achievement, 21st Century skill development, civic and academic engagement, and social-emotional skills. ** Assurances ** By registering a team to attend this training, the school district agrees that: a. The district will support teachers involved in implementing and sustaining service-learning. b. The district will provide staff release time to become trained in high quality service-learning practice beginning on **Thursday, May 5 (6 p.m.) - Saturday, May 7 (12 p.m.)** at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. **All members of the team must stay for the entire training.** **Cancellations after April 15 or failure to stay for the entire training will result in the district being billed $200 per person to recover costs incurred.** c. The district will provide logistical accommodations to facilitate success of the program, such as space and scheduling needs. d. Ongoing communication with the Department of Public Instruction will be maintained in the assessment of this program.

** Register your district team today at: ** ** @http://www.regonline.com/2011_statewide_service_learning_retreat **

// Please direct questions to // // Teri Dary, Service-Learning Consultant // // Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction // // Phone: 608-261-7494 // // Email: teri.dary@dpi.wi.gov //