I-CARE, the district's community service learning program, builds bridges between schools and the community. It encourages students to experience themselves as an important part of their school, neighborhood, city and country and to recognize that by being part of these groups they make a positive difference. The purpose of community service learning is to build a sense that service benefits both the giver and the receiver.

Community Service Learning Code of Care

Each I-CARE Coordinator uses the Code of Care as a guide to direct and lead their work in order to create the best possible learning and service opportunities for the students of the West Des Moines Community School District.  CLICK HERE to read the Code of Care.

I-CARE Service Opportunities and Activities

Secondary Programs
A part-time I-CARE coordinator works at each secondary school finding service-learning projects for students to participate in during their study halls. Some are a one-time, big projects, while others are weekly or monthly. To learn more, contact the Jane Maxwell, the Program Coordinator, or the specific school coordinator (see right).

Third Grade - Read to Me
Every school year, the third grade students visit retirement homes and read books to seniors. Some are nervous about the trip. Some experience that uneasy feeling in their stomach – what adults call "fear of the unknown." But on their bus trip back, students take home a happy feeling. They’ve learned the power of giving.

"The Read to Me program helps children see how giving of their time helps others. The conversations, the stories and the caring transforms everyone," says Jane Maxwell, district I-CARE coordinator.

The program has three main objectives: to foster a sense of caring for others, to encourage students to think about and address real-life situations, and to provide an opportunity for students to gain confidence in their ability to read aloud.

Make a Difference Week
Students and staff worked to make a difference for West Des Moines Human Services and the community with the annual October food and coin drive. For Make a Difference Week, students and staff bring items to help fill the West Des Moines Human Services food pantry. They also raise money for Koins for Kids, a scholarship fund to help low-income families participate in local programs. In 2004, $603 was raised for Koins for Kids and more than 3,731 food items and personal hygiene products were donated.

Sixth Grade Project
Each elementary school has parent volunteer who organizes a service-learning project for the sixth grade students.

Contact
Information

Jane Maxwell
Program Coordinator
Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5012

Linda Crose
Indian Hills Junior High Coordinator
(515) 633-4705

AND

Valley Southwoods Coordinator
(515) 633-4569

Sherry Schafer
Stilwell Junior High Coordinator
(515) 633-6088

Denise Rourke
Valley High School Coordinator
(515) 633-4130

TBA
Walnut Creek Campus Coordinator
(515) 633-6432

Silver Cord Award

Need information about the Silver Cord Award program?

Need to submit Silver Cord hours?

CLICK HERE to download the Silver Cord Award Form.

History of
Service Learning

The I-CARE program began in the WDMCS on Oct. 1, 1972, under the name of Youth Aware. More than 200 sixth-graders volunteered for a variety of opportunities in the community. At that time, Youth Aware was unique to the state of Iowa and to the United States. Today, students in all grades at all schools in the WDMCS have opportunities to learn good citizenship and service to others.