Three Year Learn and Serve America Grant
July 2009-June 2012

One-Day Informational Session
Sportsman's Alliance, Augusta, Maine
July 16, 2009
9-3 p.m

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to attend the informational meeting.

The Maine Department of Education, with funding from Learn and Serve America (LSA), is requesting applications for systemic change initiatives in Service-Learning. School administrative units (including regional school units and alternative organizational structures) that wish to implement and sustain Service-Learning in elementary, middle and high schools (including CTE centers) should strongly consider this opportunity. Service-Learning is an instructional strategy through which students identify research and address real community challenges, using knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.

The focus of this three-year Service-Learning initiative is on community economic development with the outcome of increasing student civic engagement. School Administrative Units that meet one or more of the following criteria will be given priority in the selection process:

• Comprise greater than 50% poverty (as defined by students receiving free/ reduced hot lunch)
• Have not received multi-year LSA grant monies in the past six years
• Commitment to:
• implement Service Learning across all grade spans (K-12);
• implement Service Learning projects across multiple schools (elementary, middle and/or high schools including CTE schools) within an RSU, AOS or regional partnership; and/or
• integrate Service Learning as a component for high school graduation or for transition from middle school to high school
• Will have reorganized into a RSU or AOS

Three to five grants will be awarded. Each grantee will receive up to $45,000 over three years (up to $15,000 per year) depending on scope and size of the Service Learning implementation. The Maine Department of Education and KIDS Consortium will provide training and support on service-learning integration.

Applicants (including a team of teachers, building and unit leaders and community representatives) are strongly encouraged to attend a one-day informational session to be held on July 16, 2009 at the Sportsman's Alliance, Augusta, ME. 9-3 p.m. Applications will be available and the application process reviewed at this session. The application deadline is July 31, 2009. Travel stipends may be provided to teams traveling more than 50 miles and staying in hotel accommodations. Please E-mail Jana Boody at the Maine Department of Education for additional information, or call at: 207-215-4664.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to attend the informational meeting.