Orange, Partners planning new service learning program

Third-grade teacher Amanda Harris believes Orange Elementary School Partners in Education “are on the cusp of helping us do great things at Orange.

“I enjoy being a part of our PIE committee because we are working on building a stronger connection between our community and the students. I am excited for what our future holds as we dive deeper into giving back to our community through service learning. Through this we are partnering with our Partners to help us launch a sustainable service learning program in the upcoming years,” she explained

Each grade level would have a project to allow students to potentially experience six service learning opportunities before they leave for middle school.

Partners are Hawkeye Community College, University of Northern Iowa–KDP, Amy Wienands Real Estate, Kimball United Methodist Church, South Waterloo Church of the Brethren and Harmony House.

Partners helped provide 10 Thanksgiving baskets for families days; adopted eight large families for Christmas; and provided snacks/mints for ISASP testing for students.

Members from two churches are Reading Buddies. Community members read in each classroom during an African-American Read-In in February.

Orange teachers have adopted several Harmony House residents. Harmony House helped chaperone a December dance, partici- pated in school clubs and brought bugs and plants to share with kids who signed up for their club.

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