Partnership Programs
Writing in the Schools
A cooperative project involving the Butler University Master of
Fine Arts in Creative Writing program and the Indianapolis Public
Schools' Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public
Policy. This community outreach initiative seeks to help
Shortridge students develop as writers and cultivate a passion for
the written word. Read more about Writing in the
Schools on their blog and at the SMHS
electronic magazine.
Theatre Service Learning in Schools
During Fall 2012, students enrolled in the Department of
Theatre's Service Learning course are conducting a Drama Club
activity with middle school students at Shortridge Magnet High
School. The club meets Mondays after school from 2:35 - 5:00
p.m. The main focus of the club is to introduce the middle
schoolers to the fundamentals of acting through theatre games and
exercises, and the preparation of monologues and brief
scenes. The culmination of the semester's work is a planned
public performance in early December. The Butler students are
wholly responsible for the organization, content, and functioning
of the drama club.
To learn more about theatre at Butler University, please visit
their website.
Service Learning in Spanish
This program in the SP 320 course, serving both middle and high
school students at Shortridge Magnet High School, seeks to provide
academic support to English as a Second Language (ESL) Latino
students who struggle in different subject areas. Interaction
is in a one-on-one or in a group instruction setting.
Students in SP 320 have to complete 24 service hours throughout the
semester. Because these ESL students are delaying with
academic and socio-cultural issues, Butler students serve both as
tutor and mentor. All students have the chance to frame their
experience in a meaningful way: the learning reciprocity involved
in these interactions allows both sides to reflect on
instructional, personal, and cultural issues.
Butler students typically tutor in their area of expertise
(e.g., math or science), and are paired with a Shortridge student
who struggles in that same area, giving both parties the chance of
better performance. The Shortridge ESL teacher provides
assistance to the program, and is an important liaison in the
partnership, making the transition easier for both Shortridge and
Butler students.
In addition to tutoring, Butler students also have the
opportunity to participate as translators in teacher/parent
conferences, family nights, and after school activities.
For more information, please visit the Spanish
Service Learning website.