How did the Community Project continue during CV-19?

How can students inquire and serve in the community during a pandemic?

The community project is not a requirement for schools ending in year five. However, service as action is still a requirement for students seeking a Middle Years Programme (MYP) certificate (as of the May 2020 update). Schools ending in year three or four, or schools opting to participate in the community project for the service as action requirements should consider the following suggestions during a pandemic:

• There are four areas of service: direct, indirect, advocacy and research. During quarantine and periods of self-isolation, direct service may increase human contact. It is recommended direct service is only chosen if government regulations allow. Indirect service, advocacy, and research can be safely done at home.

• Encourage students to use the community project to support the needs of their community during the pandemic. Organizing social activities online or through video conferencing can promote wellbeing. Students can create an advocacy campaign for wearing masks or getting a vaccination.

On a recent consultation with the aLphabet School in Chennai, I was impressed that students chose to continue with the community project while under lockdown. The head master remarked,

Our students' feedback on why they choose to persist with the community project demonstrates their individual journeys from 'skepticism' to 'conviction' and how they continue to benefit from it. They are sure that CP allows them the opportunity to find their 'ikigai', apply ideas and solutions to real world situations, put needs of others before self, progress their ATL skills within their project, progress to a humane approach to life including not just the human community but the environment as a whole and leave the world a better and meaningful place for oneself and future generations. From the Desk of Head of School, aLphabet international school, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Presentation Ideas While Social Distancing

Presentations can easily be done virtually. Here are some suggestions:

• Platforms such as Flipgrid allow students to post video and get feedback from peers.

• Use screen recording software to record presentations or add audio recordings to presentation software.

• Consider live streaming the event if school is in session, and no audiences are allowed.