PRESS ROOM > Press Releases >CNU student volunteers team up with Dozier middle school

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2008

Sponsoring Organization: Alternatives, Inc. 
Contact: Bud Longo
blongo@altinc.org
Alternatives, Inc
2021B Cunningham Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
757-838-2330
www. altinc.org

It’s a Win, Win, Win Situation

CNU student volunteers team up with Dozier middle school.

Volunteer program combines service learning with student empowerment.

Newport News ­­–
CNU students interested in working with middle school students and volunteering in Newport News Public Schools got a unique opportunity to participate in an innovative student empowerment program at Dozier middle school.  The four CNU student volunteers worked with six Dozier classroom teachers in a six hour training conducted by Alternatives, Inc.  Following training in the KICK curriculum (Kids Involved in Community Kindness) - the CNU students developed an implementation schedule with the teacher, and co-facilitated a service learning curriculum with 64 middle school students over a ten week period.
Three middle school student groups picked their own projects each with goal of improving some aspect of student life at Dozier. The student groups and projects were:

First Generation

Staff:    Amber Throckmorton
Shannon Washington 
CNU Volunteers: Krista Blackburn
                             Sara Scichilone

First Generation felt that the cafeteria needed to be better organized in how they convey lunch options in the “sandwich” line.  Students did not know what was being served in the “sandwich” line at school until they were already up to the serving line.  This was problematic because at this point it was too late to change lines.  In order to address this, students decided to hang permanent erasable whiteboards outside of the line where the daily lunch choice could be written.  The students hung the boards and have assumed the responsibility of writing the lunch choices up each day.  The students report that the menu boards have improved lunch by allowing them to know their lunch options before getting in line.  It has been a popular addition to the cafeteria.

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