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"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again..." The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers. With this in mind the focus of this month’s newsletter is a celebration of the special gifts volunteers give to our school communities. Perhaps you have parents who contribute time to assist you in classroom or school activities, students who volunteer time and efforts to community-based organizations, or community members who donate time and services to your school. Now is the time to recognize the achievements and contributions of these people. We have helped you do this by providing a certificate that can be presented to your community volunteers. We will keep the certificate online throughout the year. Click here to find the certificate. Better yet, follow the accompanying directions to make one of your own! In addition to this newsletter, keep checking Rick’s Picks to learn more about these themes and many more. We are looking for you input! We are especially interested in learning about your own “Inspiring Story” related to the use of technology in your classroom. This month we also have a special gift awaiting you and your students in the Activity section of the Mentor Center. Check it out, and if you have activities that you would like share with other teachers, please send them along. We'll make sure to post them immediately and to give you credit. Send your ideas to rick@vitalknowledge.com |
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The United Nations International Year of Volunteers The gift of time is one of the greatest gifts our schools receive from parents and community members. The above U.N. site was created as a way of celebrating contributions of volunteers from all walks of life. Visit this site to find how you can get involved in the celebrations occurring in more than 100 countries. You may also choose to visit one of 16-mirrored sites for the country most relevant to you. In particular check out the Canadian and American sites. Did you know that more than 7.5 million Canadians contributed more than 1.1 billion hours of volunteer time in the year 2000? Find out more at the Canadian site for the year of the volunteer: In a visit to the above site you are able to pledge volunteer time for 2001. You are also able to find information about events happening around the country, merchandise for promoting this special year, information about getting involved in your community, volunteer success stories, and more! Are you an American who belongs to a community, family, business, or other organization that volunteers or benefits from volunteers? Perhaps your school would like to partner with the U.S. I.Y.V. steering committee. You can do so at the American site: A visit to the above site also enables you to find more information as to how the United States will celebrate the contribution of volunteers as well as information as to how you can get involved as an individual, family, or group. The contributions volunteers make to our schools are endless and assist both staff and students in educational institutions taxed by limited resources. Take some time this year to recognize and celebrate those individuals who selflessly make our schools better communities. |
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Continuing with the theme of International Year of the Volunteer, we thought you may enjoy reading some success stories as submitted by volunteers themselves. Not only do we benefit from volunteer services, but also, as many of these stories attest, there are rewards and benefits to those who contribute their time. Perhaps Connie Gress says it best when she points out “…We are all small cogs in a big wheel, but without each small part, the big wheel won't go anywhere.” Read more about her experiences as a volunteer at the Canadian site: You can also find examples of inspiring American success stories at: Perhaps you have an inspiring story you would like to share about your volunteer experiences or the services volunteers provide to you. Volunteering often goes unrecognized and, there is no doubt volunteers are our unsung heroes. We at Vital Knowledge would like to recognize some of these unsung heroes, especially those who have used technology to voluntarily support community clubs and organizations. Send us your input and we will be sure to recognize your volunteers on our web site. Suggestions can be mailed to rick@vitalknowledge.com. |
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Generations Can Connect One of the most valuable sources of volunteers comes from the elderly citizens of our communities. Seniors citizens have a wealth of experience and skills to offer our children and many are pleased to offer assistance when asked. Generations Can Connect is an initiative of the Canadian government as part of the celebration of the United Nations 1999 International Year of Older Persons. Visit their web site to find out how schools across Canada use technology to build partnerships between the young and old of their community. Then explore ways you can build similar partnerships for your community that will provide lasting benefits for all involved. |
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International Schools CyberFair 2001 Are you exploring the possibility of your school contributing to its community through technology? If so, you might wish to check out CyberFair 2001. Students from over 70 countries have participated in this annual event. Students work with their communities to publish a web site to display what they have learned through their research. Prizes are awarded to the best entries in each of the following eight categories:
You can also view past entrants and winners from previous CyberFairs at: We think you will be impressed by the quality web sites created by students from all over the world! During the International Year of the Volunteer have your students develop a school web site that focuses on community leaders, businesses or organizations that volunteer time to make life better for all of us. |
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United Nations Cyber SchoolBus Take some time to visit the above site containing lots of great resources for students and teachers. Find information about global issues and the United Nations involvement in them. Find resources such as lesson plans, curriculum guides, games, activities, online quizzes and more! Advances in technology have made the world a much smaller place and the United Nations plays an active role in educating the children of the world about issues most important to mankind. A visit to their Cyber SchoolBus is certainly worth your time! |
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A fire started on some grassland near a farm. The county fire department was called to put the fire out. The fire was more than the county fire department could handle. Someone suggested that a nearby volunteer bunch be called. Though there was doubt that the volunteer outfit would be of any assistance, the call was made. The volunteers arrived in a shabby old fire truck. They rumbled straight towards the fire and stopped in the middle of the flames. The firemen jumped off the truck and frantically started spraying water in all directions. Soon they had snuffed out the center of the fire, breaking the blaze into two easily controllable parts. Watching all this, the farmer was so impressed with the volunteer fire department's work and was so grateful that his farm had been spared, that right there on the spot he presented the volunteers with $2500 in cash. A local news reporter asked the volunteer fire captain what the department planned to do with the funds. "That oughta be obvious," he responded, wiping ashes off his coat. "The first thing we're gonna do is get the brakes fixed on that darn fire truck!" From Jokes For All |
