Orono High designated Service Leader School

WASHINGTON — Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins recently announced that Orono High School is among the nation’s first Service-Learning Leader Schools designated this week by the Corporation for National Service.

“The opportunity for community service is essential to a well-rounded education,” Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. “Orono High School has thoughtfully and effectively integrated service into the life of the school, promoted civic responsibility, improved school and student performance and strengthened communities. The students, teachers and administrators have many reasons to be proud.”

Orono High School is one of 70 high schools around the nation chosen for the program in its pilot year. The National Service-Learning Leader Schools program must have broad-based service-learning activities incorporated within the school curriculum. Service learning activities include programs that combine community service and classroom learning in a way that positively meets community needs, while also furthering academic skills such as math, science and social studies.

Orono High School will have the opportunity to aid neighboring schools in implementing service-learning activities by serving as a model school. Model schools coach nearby schools, present informative presentations and participate in peer exchanges.

A delegation from Orono High School will visit Washington, D.C., from June 24 through 27 to accept the honor. The delegation will attend a congressional reception and a Leader Schools Leadership Institute program at Georgetown University.