SCHOOL TEACHES 'WE' INSTEAD OF 'ME

'SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA,

Canada, 2 July 2007 (BWNS) --

It's onlythree words - a total of six letters. But the "Me to We" slogan helps students understand what service is all about, says the principal of theMaxwell International School, located in the woods of Vancouver Island."By adopting what Canadian youth activist Craig Kielberger calls the 'Me toWe' philosophy, we help our students to be less 'me'-centered and morecentered on the needs of others," said the principal, Dan Vaillancourt."Through service to others, students develop empathy and understanding whilebeing exposed to many of the social issues that plague society," he said."Working with the elderly, the handicapped, the homeless, the sick, the lessfortunate - both here and abroad - will reinforce in our children the beliefthat we are all responsible for creating a better world." Since its founding by the Baha'is of Canada nearly two decades ago, MaxwellInternational School - a college-preparatory institution, grades 7 to 12,with an enrollment of 150 students from some 25 countries - has placed heavyemphasis on service. Many schools around the world offer academic credit for service projects,but Maxwell does not. Involvement in the greater community is simply a partof who they are - and a key part of what comprises a Maxwell education."It is all part of the learning at Maxwell," Mr. Vaillancourt said.Overall, programs at the school reflect a spiritual view of humanity; use ofpractical, integrative and theme-based projects; the encouragement ofcreative and artistic expression in all aspects of school life; and the useof service as a tool for learning."Maxwell's aim is to encourage students to become servants to humanity, tosee the world as an arena for community action, and to determine theiractive roles as transformers of society," the principal said.The students come up with projects on their own, through organized programs,with the assistance of faculty or staff, or at the request of outsideparties.Some of the more prominent service projects are:* Emergency Response Team - Students are trained in first aid, search andrescue, response to fires and earthquakes, traffic control, and otherprocedures. They assist professional crews in the event of an emergency. * Dance and theater workshops - Music, dance, and drama are used to conveysocial messages on contemporary issues such as racism, poverty, genderprejudice, substance abuse, peer pressure, justice, and gossip.Presentations are given at area elementary schools and community gatherings,and Maxwell students sometimes travel during their vacation periods forperformances.* Portland Island Marine Park Stewardship Program - For 15 years, Maxwellstudents have been working through the Ministry of Parks and Recreation tohelp control an invasive plant on Portland Island. Data collected by thestudents provide the ministry with the only long-term record available aboutthe management and removal of this plant. Maxwell has received governmentrecognition for its participation.* Rotary International Interact Club - Students work with Rotary, awell-known service organization, on both local and international projects.One recent service project, called Sprouts, was started by students andinvolves educating the entire Maxwell community on environmental issues,said Sharon Welsh, director of development at the school.She said the school encourages students to tackle international projects."In 2006 two Maxwell students traveled to Japan to provide leadership for asummer Dance Workshop program," she said.And this year, four students are going to Tanzania for a summer artsprogram."These youth, three 14-year-olds and one 18-year-old, will join a Maxwellgraduate who is on a year of service in Tanzania," Ms. Welsh said. "Theproject was identified and planned by the youth, who worked evenings andweekends throughout year to raise funds and prepare. ..."The school has devised mechanisms to make service projects more effectiveand also to help students understand the nature of service, especially as away of life. A key component is students being divided into groups of 12 orso, of different ages and backgrounds, and assigned a teacher as an adviser."The role of the adviser is to encourage, mentor, empower, and accompany thestudents on their journey of learning through service," said Mr.Vaillancourt. "Each Adviser Group chooses a service project of some kind towork on throughout the year. These service projects may be local, regional,national, or international in scope."Laura Veary, a former faculty member who managed the school's communityservice programs, said some students are reluctant at first to take part inservice projects but most do learn the benefits of spending time to helpothers."Students feel good about themselves as they see their accomplishments andthe effect of their contributions," said Mrs. Veary. Most students, shesaid, become motivated to continue to be of service as adults.Katie Yurychuk, 17, graduates this month and was the student leader of theMaxwell Emergency Response Team."The sense of service that Maxwell gives us helped me see myself as part ofa world community," she said. "There is so much that we do here that helpsus have a more holistic mindset instead of a self-centered mindset. I give100 percent of that to Maxwell."Galen Humber, 16, is finishing 10th grade and has been the coordinator forhis grade for the Portland Island Marine Park Stewardship program. He saidbeing part of the international community at Maxwell is helping him and hisclassmates look beyond themselves.He illustrated his point with this story: "(One) day during home room we hada free period. Half of us decided to go and play dodge ball. When we cameback we found the guys who didn't come writing letters to Baha'i communitiesaround the world to encourage them to send their children to our school. Weall thought this was a great idea."To view the photos and additional features click here:http://news.bahai.org--5-kht-070702-1-MAXWELLSERVICE-567-S------------------------------------------------------------Advance release: Please check our website for the final version of thisarticle.------------------------------------------------------------Copyright 2007 by the Baha'i World News Service. 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