About 30 students in the Chelsea High School Academic Learning Lab collected almost 900 cans of food and other supplies recently that were recently delivered and donated to Faith in Action.
For readers who might not familiar with the Academic Learning Lab, or A.L.L., it has a specific goal — “to provide students with an opportunity to either establish or re-establish academic achievements as set forth by the Chelsea School District,” according to the Chelsea District School District website.
Established in 2006, the lab “was developed to assist students who in the past received a grade lower than a “C-“in one or more classes either at C.H.S. or in some other educational setting,” the website states.
Plus, the learning lab “serves as a transition tool for students who … were previously in another district building or who may be new to the district this year.”
The Academic Learning Lab, is “designed to assist in improving performance and outcomes of those students who have experienced some difficulty in regard to their past learning experiences.”
Class sizes are kept small – generally no more than 12 students – to ensure that each student receives assistance while in the class.
Teacher Art Finger, who runs the learning lab, said this year, the group decided to do something for the Chelsea community as part of their “build community” pact with each other.
In the past, students throughout the high school have participated in Toys for Tots and a canned food drive and the students in the Learning Lab participated. But this year, Finger said, they decided to do something themselves for the community as a learning lab group.
“They wanted build community on their own,” Finger said. “They get it.”
So, on Nov. 1, the students in the Academic Learning Lab began collecting items such as canned and baby food and diapers with a goal of collecting 600 items by the end of the first trimester.
With the help of Finger and Jenna Hall, a parapro in the Learning Lab, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, nearly 1,000 items were assembled.
“We take care of community,” Finger said, “It’s community first and these kids step up to help others.”
Finger also thanked the school district and board of education for supporting this unique learning lab.
He said when the students do something good for community, it helps their grades as well. “It’s very rewarding; very empowering,” he said.
And yes, there are plans to do another community building activity in the second trimester.
