Dunellen High School Community Service Program
2004 Award Winner

Program Name: Dunellen High School Community Service Program
Nominator's Name: Pio Pennisi
Nominator's Title: Principal, Dunellen High School
Nominator's Address: 411 First Street Dunellen, NJ 08812
Nominator's Telephone Number: 732-968-0885 x 10
Organization Name: Dunellen High School
Organization Address: 411 First Street Dunellen, NJ 0881
List of Community Partners: Dunellen Public Library and Merchants' Association,
Faber Elementary School, Somerset Medical Center and many others
The nominated program focuses on the following grade level or area: High School
District: Dunellen
Address: High and Lehigh Streets, Dunellen, NJ 08812
District Superintendent: Dr. Joyce Baynes
District Telephone Number: 732-968-3226
Date of Program Initiation: 1997

Area 1: Goals:

The Dunellen High School Community Service Program, in keeping with the Mission Statement of the district, encourages students to "…share their talent with the wider community and recognize the need to pursue excellence in every area of their lives." The Dunellen Board of Education formalized the program in 1997 as a program in which students can earn five (5) credits for performing sixty (60) hours of community service.

New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards are met in a variety of ways including "…structured out-of-school work experiences such as volunteer activities." Students apply the information and skills from the seven academic and five Workplace Readiness Standards as they perform the various types of volunteer service activities. Many students volunteer at more than one agency or organization, and they use knowledge and skills from multiple subject areas and more than one Workplace Readiness Standard.

CCWRS #1 states that students will "develop career planning and workplace readiness skills." Students who participate in the program develop important skills such as reliability, punctuality, and getting along with others. In addition, their exposure to a variety of work environments and professions may help students to determine future educational and career goals.

CCWRS #2 states that students will "use critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills." Students who volunteer at the local food bank or homeless shelter, for example, develop first-hand knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative solutions to practical problems (5.4.9).

Students who volunteer at the rescue squad, fire department, hospitals, nursing homes, and animal shelters use safety principles "in regard to social, cultural, and economic processes that shape the environment" (CCWRS #5). The aforementioned uses of Core Curriculum Standards and Cross Content Workplace Readiness Standards are meant to serve as examples. There are numerous other instances of students performing a variety of community service activities that are consistent with CCCS/CCWRS.

Area 2: Activities:

The program is innovative in that it is one of the first structured community service programs in the state. It goes beyond the projects and activities of organizations such as the National Honor Society or the Student Council because it is open to all high school students. It presents an opportunity for any student to contribute to the community outside the school while earning credit toward graduation.

There are currently 197 students enrolled in the Community Service Program. Every day of the week, there are Dunellen students achieving great things at nursing homes, hospitals, schools, libraries, rescue squads, fire departments, homeless shelters, and numerous other sites. The following is a list of some activities in which students have been involved:

Alex, age 17, spent three days at "Ground Zero" in September of 2001 as a volunteer emergency response team member…

Melissa, age 15, prepared and served meals for the FISH Interim Homeless Program…

Shawn, age 16, played chess and spent time with veterans at Lyons Hospital…

Casey, age 17, volunteered more than 150 hours at Somerset Medical Center…

Manuel, age 16, spent Tuesday afternoons reading to first graders in the PALS Reading Program…

Kristanas, age 16, taught senior citizens how to use computers and access the Internet…

Anna, age 15, tutored a seventh grader with severe learning problems…

In 1999, Jamie, age 16, collected food, clothing, and cleaning supplies for victims of Hurricane Floyd.

Area 3: Outside Resources:

The only cost for the program is the $1,400 annual stipend paid by the Board of Education to the coordinator, a teacher at the high school. The coordinator publicizes service opportunities through daily video announcements and posts information on a bulletin board. She attempts to match interested students with appropriate activities, which must be approved before the project is begun.

"Partners" in the program include the various agencies and local organizations where students volunteer. The following is a list of some of these partners: Dunellen Merchants' Association, Dunellen Recreation Commission, Faber Elementary School, Dunellen Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Dunellen Public Library, Somerset Medical Center, Lyons Veterans Hospital, Arbor Glen and Brandywine Assisted Living, FISH Interim Homeless Program, Saint Luke's Catholic Church CCD Program.

Area 4: Evaluation:

In 1997-1998, there were 18 student participants in the program. By 2002, 87 students were enrolled. Last year there were 126 students, and the current figure of 197 students represents 59% of the total student population at the high school. Students and community supervisors sign a contract, and records are kept through log sheets verified by the agency before entry in an Excel program. Students are notified once a year of their status (total hours).

The success and impact of the program can be measured by the fact that many students continue community service after completing 60 hours, even though additional credits cannot be earned. Response from students, parents, and the community has been enthusiastic-the coordinator has received numerous phone calls, emails, and letters of thanks and praise.

Area 5: Stability:

The program began in 1997 and has grown in size and reputation since that time. Opportunities for service continue to grow in both number and type of activity. Last year the New Jersey School Boards Association recognized the program with a "School Leader Award." In May 2003, CORE of the ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) presented "Distinguished Citizen Awards" to two students for their efforts in tutoring students with learning disabilities.

Area 6: Endorsements:

"I am grateful for the students who help tremendously with clerical work, Dunellen historical research, physical labor, the annual street fair, and other (sometimes) mundane but necessary tasks which benefit the town of Dunellen."

Mr. William Robins, Director of the Public Library and President of the Dunellen Merchants' Association

"The first graders look forward to their PALS reading time with Dunellen High School students. The kids are amazing! They develop a strong bond which results in a relationship that fosters learning, respect, and fun."

Mrs. Nancy Muserlian, Faber Elementary School reading specialist

"Dunellen High School Community Service Program volunteers add an extra dimension of care and service to our patients and their families. They receive the rewards of helping others, meeting new people, and learning new skills. In addition, the teens are able to look closely at the many healthcare careers available to them. They provide significant service in many areas, and we are grateful for their community involvement."

Ms. Cathy McMullen, Director of Volunteers at Somerset Hospital