Service Learning Programs

Social Responsibility is a concept which is becoming popular among communities, societies and nations.  Our actions and words sometimes results in butterfly effect.  Through class projects and activities, our students learn how they can make a positive difference in the environment and the world they live. Our service learning programs are geared towards building social responsibility.

How do we teach social responsibility?  Social responsibility cannot be taught parse, but through various hands on projects and activities our students learn the skills and understanding needed to be socially responsible.  Students learn where about global interdependence, conflict resolution, team building, problem solving, decision making, and what it means to give back to the society and the environment. These activities and projects have a positive impact on the growth and development of the student. Here are some of the highlights,

Environmental Club – October 2020

On March 15th, 2020, onsite programs at Pinnacle Intellect were closed due to covid. Our social responsibility programs also took a hit. The classes moved online. After summer, the staff and students thought through and came up with the idea of launching an environmental club, to keep the social responsibility program up and running.

During October 2020, “Pinnacle Intellect Eco Ethics Program”, an after-school club, was started by Pinnacle Intellect for its students, staff and well-wishers who are driven by a sense of responsibility and care for the environment.

Vision: To regain the beauty of planet earth and to build a healthy, clean, peaceful world free of pollution, coexisting with other life forms.

Mission: Making the world a better place for all life and Saving Planet Earth from being obliterated.

Goal: To reduce pollution for a sustainable life.

Core Beliefs :

        • Going green.
        • Saving marine life.
        • Limit the use of plastic and find alternatives.
        • Reduce global warming.
        • Bring a change to our system (includes economic, cultural, and Eco-systems).
        • Take help of technology to stop plastic pollution.
        • Build small scale industries that promote Eco-healing.

Click here to visit our Facebook page for a preview.

Australia Bushfire – February 2020

Australia is no stranger to bushfires, however the 2019-2020 season proved to be unprecedented in many ways. The first major bushfires began even before the official arrival of spring in June and then new out-of-control fires sprung up at the beginning of Sept.2019.

As of Feb 15, 2020, more than 46 million acres (72,000 square miles) of land were burned in thousands of fires since June 2019. More than a billion animals are estimated to have been killed. Many human lives including those of firefighters were lost. The impact on the habitat is significant with several endangered species facing the risk of total extinction.

As part of our Service learning Program, our students have worked hard on a few projects towards the fundraiser titled “Acts of Kindness”, with the goal of helping the wild life that was impacted by the Australian Wild fires,

The event raised a total of $1,141.00 USD (roughly $1,704.00 AUD). This was donated to WWF AU.

WWF AU was kind to acknowledge the contribution with a letter of appreciation.

The impact made by our students can be assessed with details from the WWF website.

 

Paradise Fire – December 2018

On November 8th 2018, the worst fire in California history ripped through several Butte County communities. The Camp Fire (sometimes called The Paradise Fire) burned over 10,000 homes, displacing more than 50,000 individuals and, sadly, killing an unknown number of people.

Students and staff at Pinnacle Intellect decided to do their best to reach out and help. They held the “2018 Holiday Crafts Fair and Bake Sale” fundraiser event on December 18th. The dedication and passion with which they worked with towards building the crafts for the sale, and conducting the event, shows the compassion they have for reaching out and helping those in need.

Proceeds from the event was $1500.00. This included a dollar match of $500.00 from Pinnacle Intellect. With help from volunteers Ms. Aavani Avinash who helped in the class with building the crafts and volunteer Ms. Sosamma Johnson for her efforts in preparing the baked goods for the sale, the event was a success. Pinnacle prepared a hand crafted greeting card for the family. This along with a covering letter, and the total amount of $1500.00 was given to an impacted family.

The family was selected for us by Eric and Heather Lofholm who started the Paradise Fire Adopt A Family movement. ( http://www.paradisefireadoptafamily.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/paradisefireadoptafamily).

California Wildfire Fundraiser – August 2018

After the Northern California wildfires of 2017, in 2018 another series of wildfires have burned across the state of California. A total of 5,511 fires have burned an area of 1,044,771.7 acres, resulting in lives lost and properties destroyed. Our Firefighters keep us safe during such disasters, many a times putting their own life on the line. As part of our Service Learning program, the students and staff decided once again to reach out and support our brave Firefighters. Art works created during our summer camp were sold at our fundraiser event on the 10th of August, 2018.

Parents, Students and staff at Pinnacle are proud to have collected $430.00. This amount was donated to Wildland Firefighter Foundation ( https://wffoundation.org/). Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s main focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families. We would like to thank Mr. Dennis Shaddle (Fire Captain Paramedic, Santa Clara Fire Department) and Mr. Cameron Smith (President, Santa Clara Firefighters Foundation) for their help and guidance.

North Bay Fire Relief – October 2017

The October 2017 Northern California wildfires, also known as the Northern California firestorm, burned at least 245,000 acres.The wildfires broke out throughout Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Butte, and Solano Counties. Several schools were impacted and as part of our Service Learning Program, the staff and students decided to help.

Parents, students and staff at Pinnacle Intellect collected school supplies for the children effected by the North Bay Fire. Our students also wrote personal letters to the children affected by the fire.

On October 18th 2017, Pinnacle Intellect , handed over the school supplies and letters to MANCA President Sajan Mooleplackel and MANCA board member Shemy Deepak. (MANCA – Malayalee Association of Northern California, led the School Supply Drive to help the students and teachers affected by the north bay fire.)

Hurricane Fund Raiser – September 2017

2017 witnessed widespread devastation caused by hurricane in several places including Texas, Florida and Costa Rica. As part of our Service Learning Program, the staff and students at Pinnacle decided to do their part and help in the form of a fundraiser. Silicon Valley Indian Lions Club stepped in and agreed to match dollar for dollar up-to $1000.

The students at Pinnacle used their Art and Creative time to create works of art that was sold at the fundraiser event held at Pinnacle on 22-September-2017. Truly masterpieces and memories to treasure. Our students poured their love and compassion for those impacted by hurricane.

Every piece of art was sold at the fundraiser and Pinnacle collected $410.00. This was presented to the office bearers of Silicon Valley Indian Lions Club at their Onam celebration on September, 23rd 2017 by Dr. Usha Johnson.

The Kindness Rock Project – August 2017

This summer our students were involved in grassroots movement called the Kindness rock project.  This project started in Cape Cod USA and from there it has spread to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, India, Ireland, Thailand, Haiti, Italy and England.  The goal of this project is to spread the message of love, kindness, empathy and thereby making a positive impact in the world we live.  This is achieved by painting rocks and writing inspirational quotes on it and then randomly placing it at public locations such as parks,sidewalks etc. for those who may want to take it home.

Project Educate – August 2017

Project Educate is an organization founded by 4 high school girls from Cupertino High and Prospect High.  Their goal was to organize projects that made a difference to the society and spread joy and happiness.  Their goal is to bring a positive change in the world and to leave a legacy behind.   Their projects and activities, taught young kids the value of keeping their communities clean, how to spread happiness to friends and families and most importantly how their deeds and actions can create a positive influence on the society they live in. Their projects include recycling and staying green, preparing for the emergencies, fundraising, volunteering etc.