Service-learning is an instructional strategy in many of our classes and is part of our school-wide focus on community and culture.  As such, the learning we emphasize concentrates on building individual character and social skills as well as stewardship to the broader Bend community.  It is our hope that the process of identifying and addressing authentic community needs coupled with reflection and demonstration of learning will instill in students a drive to be active citizens, and give students a deeper understanding of and appreciation for their local community.

Powerful examples of service-learning at REALMS

• 8th graders collect water quality data at the Tumalo Creek Watershed
• 7th graders collect forest ecology data at Ryan Ranch Meadow along the Deschutes River
• 6th, 7th, and 8th graders socialize and exercise animals at the Humane Society of Central Oregon, as part of our Friday Elective Program
  
• 6th, 7th, and 8th graders collaborate on an art project with the clients from the Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living (CORIL), as part of our Friday Elective Program
• 7th & 8th grade students present data at the Students Speak:  A Watershed Summit to an audience of local schools and watershed professionals
  
• Students and teachers take the time to reflect on their experiences
  

At REALMS, we define service as responding to authentic community needs through direct and indirect actions.

Direct service is service in which student actions directly affect and involve beneficiaries.

Examples:  Working with elders &  Tutoring children

Indirect service is service that benefits the community or environment as a whole.

Examples:  Watershed restoration & Clothing collection & donation

We also know that service is hard.  Sometimes it is grunt work and sometimes it is hard to see how our work is impacting the people we are trying to serve.  It can be physically demanding, and service can also be emotionally and mentally taxing.  That’s why we’re all in it together, embarking on an expedition in the local community where we learn and grow through serving others.