What is “Service Learning” and what qualifies as “service?” Service Learning is one of the four pillars of an Episcopal School: daily worship, religious education, inclusive community, and service learning. “Service” are acts that fulfill various needs in our community and broader communities, addressing the inequities and lack of opportunities some of our neighbors might experience. Service is non-paying, and aids and benefits the needs of others.
a. Good examples: donating items, working at a food pantry or shelter, cleaning a city park, organizing warehouse inventory, and more!
b. Bad examples: walking your neighbor’s dog, cleaning up after your friends at lunch, babysitting your siblings, attending a school sporting event, and picking up trash in a classroom.
Are service hours required? Yes! Each grade level is required to obtain a specific number of service hours: 9th grade (15), 10th grade (20), 11th grade (25), 12th grade (25). Students who do not meet grade level requirements by the end of the Summer will be put on notice.
Can students earn service hours during the school day? Yes! However, service opportunities that are allowed during the school day must be created and planned through the Service Learning Coordinator. Students may not just clean the bathrooms or wipe down the lunch tables and earn hours. At times, the Service Learning Coordinator will receive a request from a group on campus, looking for assistance, i.e. 51Store, Theater, Athletics, and others. The Service Learning Coordinator will organize and communicate those opportunities so that students can earn hours during the school day.
Can students miss class to serve? Students who might miss class for service learning have been approved by Upper School administration, i.e. Academy4 mentors or other exceptions. Outside of approved permission, no, students may not miss class to serve. At times, there are advisory activities where students will participate in service, i.e. trash pickup, reading to Lower School, and more. These activities do not count towards services.
How do students log service hours? Students will use their “Class of ___” Google Classroom page to log their service hours.
Who approves service hours and when? The Service Learning Coordinator approves (or denies) service hours, every other Friday. The Service Learning Coordinator will send updates weekly to the Upper School faculty, students, and parents of current approved hours.
Where can I see my advisees’ service hours? Students and parents are able to view their approved hours on their individual Service Learning Hour Log that can be accessed through Google Classroom.
When can students begin to log service hours? Starting the Summer after the students’ 8th grade year, students are allowed to earn and log their service hours.
Can students transfer service hours from their previous school? Yes! The new student or parent will be connected with the Service Learning Coordinator. From there, the Service Learning Coordinator and the new family will organize how to transfer the previous hours.