Rotary STARS Program – Proven results!
The STARS Program—“Service Through Active Rotarians and Students” — combines community service with curriculum-based learning for middle school students. It is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fort Worth.
For the past two years, more than 600 eighth-grade students (300 each year) at Riverside Middle School have participated in STARS. Each social studies class was challenged with performing a community service project, receiving direction and ongoing encouragement from faculty and Rotary classroom advisors. Upon completion of the project, students wrote essays on “What Service Above Self Means to Me,” and the essays were judged by the Rotary Education Committee. The author of the essay which best captured the spirit of “Service Above Self” was invited to attend a Rotary meeting in April and had his essay published in the Rotagraph (the Rotary Club of Fort Worth’s weekly newsletter) and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Why is the STARS project important? One out of three American students will drop out of high school. Consequently, a large segment of the youth population is prepared only for low-wage, low-skilled labor. However, involving students in meaningful projects at an early age can make an impact at a critical time in the education process and reduce the dropout rates. The STARS program is the Rotary Club’s way of making a commitment to the youth of Fort Worth.
The STARS project received the 2006 and 2007 Golden Achievement Award for Partnership Excellence from the Fort Worth Independent School District. The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding contributions made by business and community partners to the students and teachers of FWISD.
Superintendent Melody Johnson nominated the STARS project for the 2007 Civic Star Award, which is presented by the American Association of School Administrators and Sodexho School Services. We are pleased that the STARS project won the award at the state level, and went on to win the National Civic Star Award, which included a $10,000 prize in cash and scholarships.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Classroom Advisors – This is a 3-4 visit commitment. Advisors will meet with the students involved to prepare them for the project and accompany them on the day of.
Chaperones – This is a 1 day time commitment. Volunteer to help with the community service project on project day. Or help out in the evening at one of the Parenting Classes being offered in conjunction with this project.
Submit a Project - Your non-profit agency could benefit from this awesome project. Help us show students how each individual’s contribution can, indeed, make a difference in improving the lives of others.
To sign up today or for more information, call Susan Morgan at (817) 498-5296 or email her at susan.morgan4@tx.rr.com. Be a Rotary STAR.
Service Through Active Rotarians and Students
