Being an aware and active member of the community at large is an important aspect of developing the whole child as well as the world we live in. At Jordan Lake School of the Arts, our students participate actively in the community.
An example of how this has been implemented is as follows:
The Issue: Litter and Pollution Around Jordan Lake
During the daily morning nature hikes down to and around Jordan Lake, the students noticed and were disturbed by the amount of litter and pollution they saw affecting the natural environment.
The Solution: Get Themselves and Others Involved
After performing a clean-up of the area themselves, the students got the community involved in a two-pronged approach:
1) Level 1 students assisted with continued cleanup and talked with local fishermen.
2) Level 2 students notified officials and solicited assistance through letters.
3) Level 3 students built a website to draw attention to the issue.
This particular project is a great example of how the students can get involved with the community for the better. The physical manifestation of a cleaner natural environment provided immediate gratification. The sense of accomplishment, leadership, and empowerment found through getting the larger community involved and notified of the issue furthered the confidence and character development of the JLSA students.