Transitions


 * [[file:Transitions.doc]]

ENG112 – 29 **  For this course, each student is required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of service learning at Transitions Center in Saginaw.  There are two main reasons for this, the first being to allow you to interact with persons with varying disabilities in a setting that is comfortable for them; the second is to encourage your involvement with a community organization in a shared experience from which we can then, as a class, create new learning experience. Think of it this way: instead of sitting and reading a book for six hours, I’m having you participate in activities at Transitions. You will then be able to write about this experience and talk about it with your peers in the classroom.  And a bonus: You can put this on your resume as volunteer work.  Transitions is a public school within the Saginaw ISD that works specifically with students with disabilities. Their program enrolls students from 16-26 years old in half- and full-day educational programming. Transitions teaches critical life skills for successful work and independent living.  We will have an orientation at Transitions together on January 17 during our regularly scheduled class time, after which students can sign up for days/times to visit the center.  Of the minimum six hours required, students must complete three (3) no later than the eighth week of class, Friday, March 2, 2007, and the remainder no later than Friday, April 20, 2007.  Service Learning should be treated as a job, and students should present themselves accordingly: being on time, following directions, abiding by facility rules.  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Transitions has their own school rules which we must also follow when we visit, including: <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">no smoking on public school grounds (try also to refrain from smoking in your car just prior to the visit, as you will carry the smell with you into the building) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">a dress code which restricts wearing coats or outdoor clothing in the classrooms; revealing clothing; clothing with offensive messages or signs for alcohol, profanity, illegal substances, sex, politics, race, religion, etc.; short-cut clothing; sagging or baggy clothing; accessories that resemble weapons (spiked, chains, etc.); hooded sweatshirts, hats, sweatbands, bandanas, sunglasses; lounge clothing (pjs, slippers, etc.); “In memory of” pictures, buttons, etc. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·   <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">no drugs or alcohol on site (nor using prior to visit) <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">report immediately to the Main Office for each visit <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Some of you may know students attending Transitions; they may be students you went to high school with, and you may or may not be aware of their being at Transitions. Understand that they may not be comfortable seeing you. It is your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the students who attend Transitions by not talking about who you see there or specific details about the students outside of the center and our classroom experience. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">While at Transitions, you should never be in a position to be alone with a student. The staff there is careful not to allow this to happen for the safety of their students, but nor should you allow yourself to be put in this kind of situation for your own safety. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">As a Service Learning student, you are a guest at Transitions Center. You have no position of authority and should not be expected to act as such. If there is any situation where you feel uncomfortable or that feels unsafe, leave immediately and notify the center personnel in the Main Office. Please make me aware of any situations like this should they arise. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Your involvement at Transitions will be evaluated by the staff on duty. As with any work situation, you may find some people easier to work with than others, and as with any work situation, sometimes you need to find ways to work with people you don’t get along with well. If you find a good setting/situation for yourself, you are welcome to repeat that work – ask for that class or teacher or activity. Similarly, if there is a situation you know is not good for you, ask not to be assigned to such. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Transitions staff may report back to me that they are not satisfied with your Service Learning performance. Should this happen, I will try to work with you and with the staff at Transitions to resolve this so you can complete your work. If this is not possible, I will work with you to determine how best to complete this class. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">I will keep a calendar where you can sign up for your time at Transitions. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">No more than three (3) students can sign up for the same time slots. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">You are more than welcome to go to Transitions with other students from class, but if “friends” go together, please keep your personal interactions to a minimum. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Six hours of Service Learning and Service Learning response paper is 10% of the final grade for this class. This is non-graded work, but must meet minimum standards as outlined for each assignment. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Students who continue their Service Learning and achieve 15 hours will earn a 3% bonus on their final grade. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Students participating in the Service Learning component for this class must complete a Service Learning Response paper to earn full credit for their work. This paper is your opportunity to reflect upon your experience at Transitions and offer feedback on the exercise not only to me, but to future students taking this class if you opt to share your writing. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Some questions to consider in your response: <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">How did you feel about going to Transitions? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">What was your response to Transitions after the orientation? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">What activities did you participate in at Transitions? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Describe a particular experience that was most memorable for you – either for better or for worse. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">How did your work at Transitions affect your view of people with disabilities? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">In what other ways were you affected by your work at Transitions? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Did you experience any personal changes as a result of your experiences at Transitions? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">How can you see your work at Transitions as influencing your future career in terms of how you will consider disability? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"> ·  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">What recommendations would you make for future classes in terms of this Service Learning experience? <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Please don’t just go through and answer these questions directly. Use them as a starting point for your own narrative on this experience. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">MLA format <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">800-1200 words <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Due no later than April 25, 2007 by noon
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Inst. Hill **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Service Learning **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Assignment **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Rationale **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Transitions Center **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Orientation **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Deadlines **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Basic Guidelines **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Confidentiality **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Safety **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Evaluation **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Sign-up and Student Limit **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Credit **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">ENG112-29 **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Inst. Hill **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Service Learning Response Paper **
 * <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Requirements **