SEVAI in the Middle School

Jennifer Bertram, Middle High School Principal

Sevai is the Tamil word for service and is the name of our Service Learning Program. Service Learning is an educational approach where a student learns theories in the classroom while volunteering with an agency (usually a non-profit or social service group) and engages in reflection activities to deepen their understanding of what is being taught. SEVAI aims to foster the development of individuals who are socially aware and empathetic, of collaborative problem solvers who actively engage with real-world challenges, and promote reciprocal relationships of mutual respect between AISC and the community. By striving towards these goals, we aim to connect students to AISC’s Mission and Wellbeing Framework.

SEVAI has established partnerships with various groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Hope Foundation School, Seva Samajam School, Blue Cross Animal Welfare, Speed Trust, Writer’s Cafe, the Madras Literary Society, and our own AISC Staff for-a-Day network. Students have the opportunity to choose the group they wish to work with—visiting them onsite and hosting them on our AISC campus. These partnerships are led by Middle School teachers who guide students in understanding the needs of the chosen group and how they can make a meaningful impact. Ms. Gemma Adderley, the MS Experiential Learning Coordinator, serves as the teacher leader for this project, and Mr. Balajee Ginjapalee as the All-School SEVAI Project Liaison. Their knowledge and expertise play a crucial role in the success of this project.

During the planning process, teachers guide students through SEVAI learning targets to collaborate with community partners in order to:

• Establish mutually respectful relationships;

• Enhance self-awareness and engage in self-reflection;

• Develop empathy by adopting a growth mindset to challenge current thinking;

• Investigate environmental and societal issues and other community needs to become socially aware individuals; and

• Utilize skills and draw on experience to tackle problems and implement possible solutions.

On December 15th, students had the opportunity to showcase their service learning to the community during a Celebration of Learning event. They presented to parents, teachers, and peers. Some students used slide presentations with photos to convey their learning, while others created websites, podcasts, or vlogs. Parents and teachers were impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and passion as they presented their projects.

Throughout the project, students are encouraged to demonstrate the AISC Vision for a Learner traits, which include: leadership, collaboration, innovation, exploration, critical thinking, ethics, versatility, empathy, resilience and self-reflection. SEVAI is an important part of the AISC Middle School experience and enables students to have meaningful opportunities outside of the classroom.