Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken speaks to all students at Sioux Falls New Technology High School to kick off the school’s opening project, “Titan Impact,” which focuses on community service opportunities for students throughout the year.
Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken visited Sioux Falls New Technology High on Thursday, August 23, to kick off the all-school project “Titan Impact.” Mayor TenHaken focused on the importance of community service and volunteerism, emphasizing that everyone has an opportunity to make a powerful impact, especially in our local community.
Sioux Falls New Technology facilitator Jason Currie-Olson speaks to all students to kick off the school’s opening project, “Titan Impact,” which focuses on building school relationships in houses through service learning and house competitions throughout the year.
New Technology High School facilitator, Jason Currie-Olson, then introduced students to the houses in which they will work this year to build connections and deepen their community impact throughout the year. When students reached their houses, they were placed into small groups of three-four students and the project was introduced. Students will work collaboratively to research different community organizations in Sioux Falls that utilize volunteer assistance. As a group, they will choose an organization to support and create a persuasive presentation for their houses as to why their house should elect to support the chosen organization throughout the year. The houses will then vote on which community organization they will work to support this school year.
Sioux Falls New Tech requires 40 hours of community service prior to graduation, so this a great way for students to make a powerful, local impact and accumulate the hours they need to satisfy their graduation requirements. Additionally, their time together introduces the newest students to the project-based learning model utilized daily at Sioux Falls New Technology High School. Students will do formal presentations of learning to pitch the community organization of their choice on Friday afternoon.
Watch the video from Sioux Falls New Tech to learn more.