Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) is located in northern San Luis Obispo County, serves roughly 6,900 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades, and has 11 ethnically diverse school sites. There are currently 367 teachers, 23 district and school site administrators, and 7 board members who serve the students in Paso Robles, as well as 2 private faith-based schools within the district’s boundaries.
The PRJUSD Strategic Plan affirms that "the success of our democracy depends on PRJUSD students being literate and productive members of society" and that "PRJUSD is a primary setting for instilling the value of citizenship." Moreover, according to current board policy, "the Board encourages staff to collaborate with local public and nonprofit agencies in order to develop service-learning activities that meet educational objectives and also fit in with the current community efforts to meet human, education, environmental and public safety needs."
The PRJUSD CalServe Service-Learning (CSL) has been in existence for five years, and currently has approved hundreds of grant-funded service-learning projects throughout its existence in every school site. Students from PRJUSD have presented at youth panels and workshops for the California Service-Learning Institute and Region 8 institutes. Several district and school programs and initiatives have been transformed by implementing the service-learning methodology. These include the Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) program; Greenworks Program at Liberty High School, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Leadership and Peer Counseling, Bearcat Community Alliance for Sustainability Earth, Future Teachers, Special Education, and others. The 76 current partnerships include Paso Robles City Personnel and many service club organizations. Some of our ongoing partnerships include: The Paso Robles Wastewater Department of Public Works, Twin Cities Community Hospital, Lions Club, Creston Village, Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, People’s Kitchen, San Luis Obispo Genealogical Society, Loaves and Fishes, California State Parks, American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Senior Nutrition Program, El Camino Homeless Organization, and middle school after school programs run by the San Luis Obispo Young Mens Christian Association, and Boys and Girls Club.
Currently, Paso Robles is engaging teachers in developing service-learning curriculum that will be implemented in kindergarten through second grades, third through fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades, and ninth through twelfth grades with the goal that every student in the district will have at least one service-learning experience per grade span. Teachers and school administration at each school site receive training in service-learning on a yearly basis through staff meeting time. PRJUSD CSL utilizes site advocates as well as an advisory committee to help disseminate information and shape the service-learning program. The Advisory Committee and the Site Advocates will continue to forge community partnerships that lead to sustainability through the use of in-kind materials, staff, and training.
Students of different ethnicities, ages, and genders serve together. Socially, economically, and physically disadvantaged students serve and are served through this program.
The PRJUSD CSL publicizes service-learning efforts to encourage their adoption throughout the community, and hosts an annual awards ceremony to honor service-learning participation. In 2009-2010, over 200 teachers implemented service-learning with over 4,000 students. They anticipate over 150 students will earn the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award at an achievement forum in June. PRJUSD CSL continues to improve service-learning efforts through assessment and evaluation of the program.
