Service to the Community
Our school and parish have a rich history of service to our local and global community. As Gandhi said, “What the hands do, the heart learns.” Our work echoes this idea. Service and learning are inextricably connected at St. John Catholic School; our children are constantly learning about our world and how we can be stewards of creation and bearers of light. Beginning in pre-kindergarten, members of our school family learn that they have many gifts and they are called to share them with others. Through participation in various community service activities and through our service learning curriculum, our children become lifelong learners with the knowledge, compassion and desire to make the difference that our world needs.
Our Service Learning program integrates our strong academic curriculum with service opportunities that benefit our community, and teach and address the themes of Catholic social teaching.
Service learning is different from community service. First, service learning is just that – a learning experience for your student that is closely aligned to classroom lessons. Service learning integrates real-world experiences and service to others into education, and provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and service. Community service, on the other hand, is defined as doing good deeds for the needy in the community independent of classroom instruction.
Studies have shown that service learning programs can benefit students in many ways, including:
- Positive effects on student interpersonal development and civic responsibility
- Acquisition of better academic skills, knowledge, and realistic career goals
- Higher grades and better test scores
- Better school attendance
- Demonstration of more positive attitudes and behavior
At the heart of the service learning curriculum are the students, who will benefit immeasurably from their service learning experiences. The objectives for students participating in service learning projects will be to:
- Increase empathy and civic responsibility in response to the themes of Catholic social teaching
- Develop personal relationship skills, social competence, and acceptance and appreciation of diversity in society
- Experience improved academic performance, become aware of career options, and develop positive career skills, such as interpersonal communication, self-discipline, leadership, time management, and organizational skills
- Reflect on the service and articulate how the service contributes to learning academic lessons, positively affects the community, and provides personal growth and understanding for the student
For students at St. John Catholic School, the service learning program is linked to the themes of Catholic social teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; and Care for God’s Creation. You can find out more about the themes of Catholic social teaching by visiting the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Each service learning activity will be linked to one or more of these themes.
Students participate in service activities outside of school with their families as well as with their peers. The children write proposals and reflection essays about their experience and have many options and opportunities to do creative projects and presentations connected to their service. Please check with each teacher for more details, requirements, and rubrics for these projects.
We at St. John Catholic School are excited about incorporating a meaningful service learning component to our academic curriculum to enhance students’ educational experiences. If you have any questions or comments about service learning, please contact Mrs. Rachel Gonsalves, Teacher and Service Learning Coordinator.
As our beloved Pastor Father Michael Lacey often reminds us, we are Christ’s hands on earth. Father Mike leads our community in the challenge to use our hands, hearts and minds to serve.
Christ has no body on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out upon…
–St. Teresa of Avila
St. John Catholic School is proud to partner with these and many other service organizations to make a positive impact upon our community:
