I work at a special act school for residential, adjudicated youth. We recently started a PLC to create a learning community focused on student academic success. Also, we are active in students' jobs and volunteer activities. Today, I attended the plant sale at my school site. Several students came up to me, offering their help and letting me know how hard they had worked (they started at 6 this morning). They have jobs at the greenhouse and have put in many hours planting seeds and watering. Participating in the school community is what I do to make sure my students are getting all they can from their school experience.
(Elizabeth Wing is a member of the Berkshire TA.)