J-Term is a biannual opportunity that takes place in January and June for students from all Avenues campuses to come together to develop the knowledge, skills and mindsets needed to become future global leaders. During these mini-terms, Avenues campuses worldwide offer a diverse array of immersive and expansive learning experiences.

One notable program within J-Term is Co.Lab, an experience-based service learning program that empowers students to connect, collaborate and contribute to their local communities.

Through Co.Lab, students gain insights into how global issues manifest at the local level and actively collaborate with community partners.

In its inaugural year, the Co.Lab program spanned nine days, fostering partnerships with 46 different social organizations. The period was marked by intense experiential learning featuring 61 educational outings aimed at strengthening bonds with different communities, exploring, engaging in volunteering and making changes both inside and outside the school community.

Toy repair club

The 4th grade J-Term project focused on the critical problem of waste production, prompting them to reflect on the global impact of trash.

After noticing and questioning the lifespan of their toys, the students realized that most of them were made of plastic and that, when broken, ended up in a landfill. Through community research, they realized that the lifespan of toys is short and their disposal causes an almost irreversible impact on our planet.

In response, the students proactively delved into the toy production chain, the consumer patterns, and looked into possibilities for repairing toys. This hands-on investigation required visits to toy factories, stores and even a dolls’ hospital.

The project, however, took a transformative turn during a day of volunteering at the waste collectors collective dubbed Kombosa Seletiva. There the students were confronted with a staggering amount of waste generated in a single day and its detrimental impact on the environment.

Inspired by this experience, the fourth graders, along with the students from the Children and Adolescents Center (Centro para Crianças e Adolescentes - CCA), explored alternative uses for broken toys. What to do with a broken toy instead of throwing it away?

Together, the Avenues and CCA students repurposed discarded toys, unleashing their imagination and practical skills to create new playthings.

At the end of this process, the children put together a toolbox containing everything needed to repair and write new stories for toys that would otherwise have ended up in the landfill. One box is located at Avenues and another at CCA. In the new 2023-24 school year, the students aim to continue this action and impact even more people.

Apprentice Chef Project: Hands-on learning, literally

During the J-term experience, the Avenues students connected with the work of this organization, understanding the needs of the local community and also learning more about how this problem is presented in the rest of the world.

The sixth to eighth graders took part in a project in partnership with the Apprentice Chef (Chef Aprendiz) organization dedicated to helping young people enter the job market through culinary education. The organization offers vocational courses and connects young people to kitchens and restaurants. During the J-Term experience, the Avenues students connected with the work of this organization, understanding the needs of the local community and expanding their understanding of the global challenges associated with this issue. In a hands-on approach, the students learned to cook and take part in the processes guided by chefs. The project prompted reflections about healthy eating and its importance, particularly for individuals in vulnerable situations.
They learned how to follow recipes for delicious muffins and healthy cookies. At the end, the students prepared and served a recipe to the children under the care of a center in Paraisópolis. This act of service provided the students with a different view of the world.

J-Term

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J-Term is an educational initiative for Avenues students to develop skills and mindsets essential for future global leaders. One of the offered programs, named Co.Lab, focuses on experience-based service learning and encourages students to solve local problems with global implications. During the program, students collaborated with 46 different social organizations, carrying out visits and investigations and volunteering to understand and address issues such as waste production and healthy eating. They also learned how to repair toys and serve meals to underprivileged children, highlighting the importance of empathy and community action. J-Term aims to transform education and empower students to make a difference in their communities and the world.

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