Monday, May 28, 2018

Class of 2018: 8,990 hours of giving certified





Thank you for 8,800 certified hours of giving to the Oklahoma City and the world community as of 5/22/2018.  



Best of luck in your future college and gap year experiences.

Kate                  Lewis and Clark College
LukeHarvard University
SamUniversity of Oklahoma
WillUniversity of Arkansas
NiaGeorge Washington University
SarahTexas Christian University
ChloeUniversity of Oklahoma
QuinnGap Year
ParkUniversity of Oklahoma
JackUniversity of Oklahoma
ZacUniversity of Southern California
SarahUniversity of Oklahoma
RyanUniversity of Oklahoma
ReaganUniversity of Alabama
JacksonColumbia University
BlairUniversity of Mississippi
AnthonyUniversity of Central Florida
HannahUniversity of Central Oklahoma
EviSt. Edward's University
JeramiahOklahoma State University
ChrisUniversity of Oklahoma
ChrisKenyon College
NikaSewanee: The University of the South
AzaanUniversity of Oklahoma
GraceLoyola University Chicago
KatherineWashington University in St. Louis
IsabellaCoe College
NoahVassar College
AdamUniversity of Connecticut
NatalieUniversity of Kansas
AngelaUniversity of Oklahoma
NellUniversity of New Mexico
HannahUniversity of Texas - Austin
CammieUniversity of Oklahoma
AlecLoyola University Chicago
SaadUniversity of Oklahoma
CalebUniversity of Oklahoma
JillianDePauw University
CarolineUniversity of Central Oklahoma
AurianOklahoma State University
GabbyUniversity of Oklahoma
DallasUniversity of Mississippi
CameronSeton Hall University
BeiklUniversity of California - San Diego
RyanUniversity of Arkansas
CarlyUniversity of Oklahoma
CarolineTexas Christian University
MargoDavidson College
EthanBentley University
ColtonSaint Michael's College
SharunUniversity of Oklahoma
AvaUniversity of Arkansas
AidanWashington University in St. Louis
TaraOklahoma City University
SanjayLewis & Clark College
JohnTexas Wesleyan University
KatUniversity of Arkansas
CalebBoston Conservatory at Berklee
ChloeNew York University
AbbyVillanova University
BradyMarietta College
JustinColby College
MariamUniversity of Oklahoma
SafraUniversity of Oklahoma
CarolineUniversity of Oklahoma
JackSouthern Methodist University
SavannahAssumption College
MichaelUniversity of Oklahoma
LaurenOklahoma State University
OliviaUniversity of Oklahoma
MilleyNew York University
MagnusPhillips Academy Andover
JackDrury University
GarrettUniversity of Oklahoma
JacksonUniversity of Oklahoma
ChandlerOklahoma State University
MalloryWashington University in St. Louis


Friday, May 25, 2018

Thank you Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Fryer for your help with this project

Connect. Learn. Take action!
MAY 2018

 

Peace through Facing Difference—it started with YOU!

We did it! Together, Students Rebuild teams created over 200,000 portraits while exploring their own identity and celebrating those that are different.

The tens of thousands of students who participated in the Facing Difference Challenge not only generated some of the most personal and moving artwork we’ve ever received, but their collective efforts raised $600,000 to support youth peace-building in areas of conflict through our partners CARE and Search for Common Ground.

As a result of your collective action:
  • 570 youth from different backgrounds participated in peace-building camps
  • 137 youth-led community peace projects were funded
  • 8,600 community members were impacted by peace projects in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and the South Caucasus region
There is even more to celebrate in our Student Impact Report that can be downloaded and shared in classrooms. It captures some fun facts and a small sample of the art we received this Challenge. We’re excited and grateful to celebrate our successes together—and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.

Now that the Challenge is over you might be wondering, “What happens next?!” This month’s newsletter answers that question and provides some resources for you as we wrap up this Challenge and prepare for the next one launching this fall.

Important Dates

  • Facing Difference Art Exhibition at the Figge Museum: August 4 – September 17, 2018
  • Launch of the new 2019 Challenge: September 2018
  • Follow us on social media for other updates and announcements over the summer!

Tell us what you think!

Each year as the Challenge concludes we ask the participants to complete a final survey. This survey helps us improve our program to serve you better, think about new Challenge topics, and much more. If you registered for the Challenge (even if you didn’t submit portraits) we really need your help in completing our final survey. And as a thank you for completing, you will be among the very first to know what our Challenge topic is for next year!
 
If you registered for the Challenge, you should have received an email from info@studentsrebuild.org via SurveyMonkey.com. If not, please check your junk mail folder or let us know you did not receive it at info@studentsrebuild.org.

It's not too late to submit your art!

If your team made portraits for the Facing Difference Challenge but you missed the deadline, you can still have your numbers counted! While your students’ art might not be able to be featured in our final exhibition (see below), it can still be counted towards our goal and your team credited as having completed the Challenge. Here’s how:
 
If you made portraits for the Challenge but didn’t submit them, you can let us know by filling out this simple submission form. That is the only action needed!
 
Our registration and submission system will close on June 8 so be sure to submit your numbers today!

Your art in a major museum!

This August, Students Rebuild is excited to be partnering on the Facing Difference culmination with the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa!
 
In a unique exhibit creatively curated by middle school students from Davenport’s Creative Arts Academy, the Figge will be showcasing thousands of your submitted self-portraits from August 4 – September 17, 2018. Some of the Creative Arts Academy’s unique ideas that will be incorporated into this exhibit will include features like a reflection mirror, walking over a map of the world with highlights for areas impacted by this Challenge, and of course—floor to ceiling portraits!

We’re thrilled to honor the creativity of your students’ arts in this meaningful display at a major museum. Check on social media for more details as the date gets closer.

Teams of the Month - All 843 teams!

Each of the packages we open and the digital submissions we receive have all been more thoughtful, creative, and beautiful than we could’ve imagined when we invited students globally to make self-portraits! This month’s team is every team—honoring every student who braved the art task of a self-portrait to share more of themselves with the world! THANK YOU!
 
Here are some resources that your team can use to celebrate:
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All rights reserved.
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Thursday, May 24, 2018

Summer Service Ideas from Youth Service America

May 24, 2018 | Volume 25, No. 21
Special Edition: Summer Ideas
Summer months bring long days, warm weather, school vacations - and great opportunities for kids to serve and families, camps, and youth groups to plan projects together. See 20 Summer of Service Ideas below or at www.YSA.org/Summer

And ICYMI, check out last week's YSB with resources to help register the 8 million new voters who will turn 18 this year. Before school lets out for the summer, take time to make sure students who are old enough are registered to vote. The Parkland students are challenging every high school in America to hold a voter registration event the week ofMay 29 - that’s 26,000 high schools filled with teens that will be able to vote for the very first time this year. Students (or teachers or administrators) can learn how to run a registration drive by themselves through Head Count.
SUMMER OF SERVICE IDEAS
Raise Money to Fight Childhood Cancer - June 2-10

Be a part of Alex's Lemonade Stand's efforts to fight childhood cancer by hosting a lemonade stand or event in your community during Lemonade Days.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
World Oceans Day - June 8

Get together with your family, friends, and community to protect our shared ocean. Plastic trash is a serious problem for our ocean, so this year’s theme is preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
World's Largest Swimming Lesson - June 21

Help build awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. Swimming is a life-saving skill for children to prevent drowning, the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-14.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Help End Alzheimer's on The Longest Day - June 21

On June 21, 2018, the longest day of the year, team up with the Alzheimer’s Association and select any activity you love to help end Alzheimer’s. Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care, support, and research.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
United Way Day of Action -June 21

On June 21, thousands of people in more than 300 communities across the world will be volunteering through United Way to make their community a better place through Day of Action. Find your local United Way and volunteer with them on June 21.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Protect Wildlife During the Great American Campout -June 23

The National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Campout is a summer-long celebration of camping as a way to connect with nature and wildlife. Take the pledge to camp on Great American Campout day on June 23rd and all summer long.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Take Action Against Poverty on Mandela Day - July 18

Mandela Day calls on us all, every day, to make the world a better place. Each year on July 18 we celebrate Madiba’s life and legacy in a sustainable way that will bring about enduring change.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
National Night Out - August 7

National Night Out is an annual event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
International Youth Day -August 12

International Youth Day is celebrated every year with an event at the United Nations. Youth around the world are encouraged to organize activities in their country. The theme for International Youth Day 2018 is Safe Spaces for Youth.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Do Something Grand on Grandparents Day -September 9

Whether they’re down the street or across the country, you can do something grand together with your grandparents and other older adults in your life. You can check out GU’s Take Action Guide and Grand Things to Do for ideas.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Help End Summer Hunger

Hunger hits especially hard when kids are out of school for the summer. Promoting summer feeding sites in your community is one of the most important things you can do to ensure no child goes hungry this summer.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Fight the "Summer Slide" with Creative Writing Classes

Through Kids Tales, teen teachers help young students brainstorm and write short stories, which they collect and publish as an anthology at the end of the workshop. Host a Kids Tales creative writing class in your community.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge

Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge one-week volunteer trip program is offered year-round. All you need is five or more friends ages 16 or older. You can choose a build close to school or somewhere across the country.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Map & Improve Play Places

Find or add a playspace to the map. Then, take action to make playspaces in your community even better by planning a play day, organizing a clean-up, or building side projects.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Tell the Stories of Our Time

With the StoryCorps App for Android, iOS or Kindle, you can browse and listen to recordings from other users, add to the online library by sharing your own story, and activate your group, organization, or community around the power of storytelling.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
National Summer Learning Day - July 12

National Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Preserve our National Parks

Take time this summer to hike, learn, share, and give back in the nation's nearly 400 national parks. The National Park Service offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups as part of the Volunteers-In-Parks program.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Serve Our Nation's Veterans

This Summer, thank a Veteran and pledge the gift of time. The Department of Veterans Affairs is asking citizens across the country to join in serving our nation’s Veterans at your local VA facility

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Help Organize a Disaster Prep Rally Event

Lead Get Ready Get Safe Prep Rally activities and events to educate children and families about simple things they can do to stay safe in emergencies. Get in touch with emergency responders to see if they will participate in your Prep Rally.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
Serve to Remember on 9/11 National Day of Service

Serving in your community helps transform 9/11 into a day of unity, empathy, and service as an enduring and positive tribute to those lost and injured on 9/11, and the many who rose in service in response to the attacks.

Read more
leadasap.ysa.org
We know that no student currently in school has any first-hand memory of the events of 9/11. YSA suggests starting with these ten reflections about 9/11/01 and related ideas for service or service-learning projects.

This year, we’re encouraging people to plan projects that benefit veterans and military families. Download teacher and student activity sheets to help you plan a project.

Find additional ideas and resources from 911Day.org, including “Teaching 9/11 to a New Generation of Americans”, “9/11 Day Teachers Guide”, “Dispelling Myths About Military Veterans”, and “Hallway of Heroes”.
EVERYDAY YOUNG HEROES
Desmond Sieburth - Montrose, CA
Desmond “Dessi” Sieburth (15, Montrose, California) is a passionate birder and bird conservationist who has been helping wild birds since he was ten years old. He believes that by increasing awareness of the role birds play in our ecosystem, more people will be motivated to help protect birds.

Dessi has educated other youth about birds by teaching in classrooms, parks, science fairs, and the library. He regularly writes articles for local Audubon chapters on how to help birds. In partnership with the Pasadena Audubon Society, Dessi annually puts on a fundraiser to raise money dedicated towards saving bird habitats; his goal this year is to raise $1,000. Read more.
SERVICE SONG OF THE WEEK
Love Begins At Home
"Love Begins at Home"
Oleta Adams
"In every man and woman
There is a little boy and a girl
Who've learned them from all the things
They've heard while growing up in this world.
...
Mother, father, sister, brother
Careful how you treat each other
Children just repeat what they've been shown
Remember we will reap what we have sown
Love begins at home."
Michael Minks, Editor-in-Chief
CONNECT WITH YSA