SERVICE LEARNING
Service Learning Opportunities
More Information on Remote Service Opportunities: https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact
Discover Service Based Scholarships: https://blog.prepscholar.com/community-service-scholarships-complete-list
Service Learning Update
Following the example of Blessed Basil Moreau, from the inception of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, we have an obligation to help those in need. As a school community, Holy Cross strives to provide this assistance to the less fortunate. This mission is imperative in our world today.
Service Learning allows students to become more aware of the world around them. This world has been drastically altered due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the way in which we help our fellow man must also change. Although Service Learning will look different in the upcoming academic year, the goal of service remains unchanged. Our students will continue to grow and develop into culturally and socially aware individuals through their actions of helping others, both within and outside of our school community.
Current Objectives for Service Learning:
There are two types of Service, direct (hands on interaction with individuals) and indirect (benefits community/cause but not necessarily identified individuals.) While direct service is a critical component of the Service Learning program at Holy Cross High School, our focus will be on indirect service for our students for the time being. Opportunities will be provided within student Theology classes in order to ensure that students have the ability to help those in need.
Service within our school community has always been a staple for the service learning program. Larger school wide initiatives are still scheduled to take place throughout the course of the academic year. Additionally, NHS Peer Tutors, Library Assistants, and Lab Assistants will still be needed.
Our student body has always showed incredible creativity, especially while considering ways in which we can make an impact. Any student driven service events/directives should be brought to the attention of Mr. Adams. During this unprecedented time in history, our students will be the ones to lead us forward.
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
PROGRAM HISTORY AND MISSION
The Congregation of Holy Cross has a deep-rooted tradition of faith education, strong community ties, and the mission to bring hope to all. The Charism of Holy Cross was then applied to the Vatican II Council’s call to Charity and Social Justice in order to create the Department of Service Learning in 1983. Since then, the Service Learning Program has provided an understanding of social issues in the classroom as well as an opportunity for young people to shape their community in a positive and meaningful way.
Within the first few weeks of the program, students learn they can make a significant impact in their communities by investing their time and sharing their talents. Since these two resources are developing in a personal way, the student experiences a unique educational journey through action and is empowered by success.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
This program was created to help students develop social awareness and encourage students to respond to community needs effectively. This is accomplished by combining an interdisciplinary Classroom Component with a community-focused Experiential Component.
The Classroom Component primarily focuses on understanding the human condition, social justice, and character education. Class materials are interdisciplinary and explore a variety of topics including Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Human Biology, Ecology, Philosophy, and American Civil Law. These materials are examined with a Catholic Ethical lens and have strong connections with local non-profit organizations.
The Experiential Component is centered on a varied service obligation that has students respond to the needs of the community. The need to be served is to be chosen by the student from a pre-approved listing and must be approved by a parent/guardian. All service sites fit the basic criteria of being non-profit, person-oriented, and respond to a societal need. The type of service, service site, and hours approved are at the sole discretion of the Director of Service Learning.
OVERVIEW
Freshmen Year - 10 Hours of in-class service
Freshmen Service Learning Curriculum is centered on community. Students will learn about the Congregation of Holy Cross, our history, our values, and their role as the next generation of Holy Cross. As a micro-community in the classroom, they will work together on projects designed to foster their vision of the Holy Cross community. In the second half of the year, students will be asked to look outward as we discuss poverty, hunger, and people with special needs.
Sophomore Year- 20 Hours
Sophomore Service Learning Curriculum focuses on revelation. As Catholics, we believe God is constantly revealing the mysteries of life around us and we need to be receptive to it. This component challenges students to examine the world around them critically and respond appropriately. The experiential component encourages students to make positive change in their surroundings but in a very controlled and safe way. Their volunteer hours will be served at major school events, local middle schools/ junior high schools, or local churches.
Junior Year- 30 Hours
Juniors are tasked with one of the most important mission elements of Holy Cross- bringing hope to others. Students will be educated on professional behavior, safe environment practices, and demographics with complex needs. Their service can be chosen from an approved list of non-profit organizations. Many organizations have been community partners with our program and school for many years.
Senior Year- 40 Hours
Senior students are focusing on the concept of vocation. Through their classwork and volunteer hours at a site they are passionate about, we expect students to discover more about themselves and what brings a sense of accomplishment in their lives. This service opportunity will allow students to explore the lives of those in need and see the connections that unite all humanity as God's creation.