PORTLAND – Spring break is usually a time for students to relax, sleep in, watch television, play video games and hang out with friends. Seven Binnsmead Middle School boys, however, decided to spend their vacation participating in a three-day, service-learning project which had them waking up early to restore a nearby creek.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” said Ricardo Delgado, a 7th grade ASPIRE student, while he shoveled out blackberry root balls.

“You have to get the root out so it won’t grow again,” added Xin Yi Huang, also a 7th grader and ASPIRE student. When asked what he has learned so far, Huang said, “The native plants are good and invasive plants are bad for the habitat.”

The students are part of two youth programs–ASPIRE and SST– provided by the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), a nonprofit organization. The After School Program for Immigrant and Refugee Education (ASPIRE) is an academic and social support program for Latino, Asian Pacific Islander and Slavic students in three, southeast Portland Public Schools, including Binnsmead. The Successful School Transition (SST) program provides academic support and high-school preparedness for 8th graders at Binnsmead Middle School.

“I want the students to take ownership over their community,” said Oscar Arana, ASPIRE’s instructor. “I’ve noticed it can be easy for them to take their neighborhood for granted and throw garbage wherever. So I thought it would be good for them to help improve their surroundings.”

While picking up garbage, pulling out invasive species and planting native plants, the students would joke with each other, competing to see who could pull out the longest root and even strategize about upcoming soccer games–the boys are also part of a soccer team organized by the ASPIRE and SST programs.

“This is a good bonding experience for them,” said Maria Kimbro, a support specialist for ASPIRE and SST. “Plus, they are having a good time working outdoors, especially in the nice weather.”

Andrew Nguyen, an 8th grade SST student, learned that “the roots of trees can prevent erosion. The roots trap the soil so it does not wash away when it rains.”

“I thought this was going to be lame,” said Jerson Mejia, an 8th grade SST student, “but it was kind of fun in the end."

Last Modified : April 10th, 2007 Filed under : Uncategorized Navigate : Previous post /