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Published on 03/23/1998 All articles from this issue

Volunteering routine for many LAHS students

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

For many students at Los Altos High School, spending their weekends, mornings or evenings volunteering in the community through the school's Community Service/Service Learning Program is a regular part of their routines.

Community service is a graduation requirement, but about three-fourths of the 1,400-member student body continue to volunteer even after fulfilling that credit, with some students volunteering more than 1,000 service hours by the time they graduate, said program coordinator Ginger Beman.

This enthusiasm will be reflected Saturday as 200 students are scheduled to spend the day volunteering in one of 15 community projects as part of "Step Out and Serve," the annual school-wide service day launched by students last year. Saturday's projects will include a campus blood drive, a food drive and a neighborhood clean up.

"The (Learning Service) program is a really good opportunity for them to get involved in the community in a meaningful way," Beman said.

Sophomore Claudia Jauregui said she volunteers as a tutor for limited-English speaking students at Castro School in Mountain View because "When I was younger, I didn't have anyone to help me. I know what kind of hole they're in. I've been there."

Beman said service projects enhance academic skills and provide a connection between what students learn in school and what is happening in their community.

Unlike community service programs, the Service Learning program weaves community issues into classroom lessons. "There's a real acknowledgment nowadays that everyone needs to have a stake in the community," Beman said. "There's a lot of needs out there. Teens are great volunteers and they offer a fresh perspective."

Founded in 1992, the Community Service/Service Learning program won the prestigious Golden Bell Award in 1996 - a statewide honor given to exemplary service programs.

For more information about the Community Service/Service Learning Program or Step Out and Serve activities, call 960-8831.