Bringing Christ Into the World 2020-2021

Christian Service is an essential part of what it means to be a follower of Christ and a contributing member of society. Loving our neighbor implies a willingness to be of service and to reach beyond ourselves to those in need. Follow up meetings will occur with our Campus Ministry if needed.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Mt 25:35-36)

As a Catholic school, and in order to develop a well-rounded student, Notre Dame Preparatory challenges its students to be people of service. In light of this challenge, students are required to complete service during the course of each calendar year.

Christian Service vs. Community Service

Christian Service is being the hands of Jesus in the world. It is based on Matthew 25. Basically, it is serving those who are in need just as Jesus did; serving the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged through various nonprofit agencies.

Service and the House System

Service is encouraged to be done within the House. Each House is encouraged, with the help of the Director of Christian Service Learning, to plan and implement at least one service opportunity each academic year. The service opportunity can be done after school, as well as on weekends. The Director of Christian Service Learning will organize transportation and make sure all permission slips are in order to keep our students safe if necessary but would like to have each house plan a service opportunity that can be done on campus. Examples of this include shoe box ministry, making blankets, and making rosaries. House families are encouraged to serve together, with the help of the Director of Christian Service Learning. The goal is to help students become people of lifelong service.

The Freshman in each house will be introduced to Christian Service by being plunged into the world of Christian Service first semester of their freshman year (during Covid this may need to be changed as we follow the rules and regulations given to us by the State and the Diocese). They will serve the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized through various nonprofit organizations during one day first semester. Students are required to make up any missed class work according to academic guidelines for the day they miss school to serve others.

Each house will be responsible for one donation drive or money drive during their particular month. The drive must be for a particular nonprofit organization that directly helps the poor, marginalized or disadvantaged.

Christian Service Trips

Students have the option of completing their service for the year by attending a Christian Service trip. The trip must be through a nonprofit Christian organization through their church, or school sponsored by NDP. Students are responsible for claiming their service with a written reflection on x2VOL.

Christian Service Requirements for Graduation

Freshman: 5 hours for Freshman Plunge (required) and 10 additional hours for a personal project for the year. At least 5 hours of service is due on x2VOL by the first Monday in December. The additional 10 hours of a personal project are due the first Monday in May. (15 hours minimum). Hours are able to roll over so completing more than the minimum 15 hours is encouraged:

Students are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of service by the end of their senior year in order to graduate.

Service to Place of Worship – Evangelization (Minimum 4):

• Bible School, Fish Fry, Choir, Ushering, R.E., Edge, Altar Serving – Full Hours

• Greeters, Lectoring – 15 minutes/service

If you do not have a place of worship your hours can be fulfilled through NDP:

• Morning Mass as a Lector or Altar Server

• Spiritual and Pastoral Care for Life Affirming Choices (praying in front of clinics).

Service to NDP (Minimum 4):

• Summer Sports Camps

• Advancement Events

• Saints Store

• Frosh Night Out

Service to the Community (Minimum 10):

• Being a little more flexible with Service opportunities here

• Volunteer Walks and Runs (Must be pre-approved)

• Allow service with Animals if it directly benefits humans (Must be pre-approved)

Christian Service to the Poor and Marginalized (Minimum 30):

• Includes all opportunities from the past

• Mission Trips

• Working with Houses on doing on campus opportunities for their House in particular Freshman

Once the students have completed their minimum number of hours in each of the areas, their remaining hours can be served in any category. We are hoping that these practices will create a positive feeling toward service and create a desire to continue serving after they graduate from NDP.

Each semester, a minimum number of hours must be submitted in order for students to receive a passing grade. For first semester, on or before Dec. 1, 2020, students are required to have the following minimum hours submitted (Note: if a student is signed up for and has paid the down payment for a Mission Trip during the Spring/2^nd Semester, he or she will not be required to have the minimum for 1^st Semester):

Seniors/Juniors: 15 Hours

Sophomores: 10 Hours

Freshman: 5 Hours

For second semester, hours must be verified on or before May 4, 2021, students are required to have the following minimum hours submitted:

Seniors/Juniors: 30 Hours

Sophomores: 25 Hours

Freshman: 15 Hours

In summary, extra hours completed during the school year are eligible to be rolled over to fulfill requirements for the following school year. Students must complete 120 total hours by graduation, but the rollover policy will give students and families more flexibility when their hours are served. We hope that this increased flexibility in the service policy will add to the positive experience of Christian Service and that NDP students will make a decision to continue serving after they graduate.

This is a Pass/Fail class. In order to Pass Service, the service must be claimed and verified on the external website, x2VOL. At least 10 hours of service is due on x2VOL the first Monday in May. Every student must complete a minimum of 120 hours of service over their 4 years at Notre Dame Preparatory. It is recommended that students complete a minimum of 30 hours per academic year but the hours will rollover so students are able to complete what they are able to as time permits. A student may be able to complete all 120 hours prior to Junior or Senior year but they will still be required to complete at least 10 hours each academic year.

Students are responsible for making sure their claims are submitted within 24 hours of completing their service. Students may complete their service requirement beginning the first of June for the next school year. If a student fails a semester of Christian Service, they will not be asked back to Notre Dame Prep.

Seniors will be required to have their service claimed, verified and approved on x2VOL by mid-April. Check the school calendar for details. Seniors who do not meet the Christian Service deadline will fail Christian Service and will not be able to participate in any senior activities until that requirement is met. Once the student’s 30 hours have been claimed and verified on x2VOL, they will be eligible for graduation.

Failure to meet the Spring semester deadline may result in being asked to withdraw from NDP. Students not meeting the May deadline will fail Christian Service and that grade will go on their final transcript. Even if a student finishes service after the deadline, that grade will not change. Once a student has completed their Christian Service they may be considered for re-enrollment.

Any senior student who does not have 15 hours of claimed, verified, and approved Christian service on x2VOL by the end of the first semester (December 3) will receive an incomplete for Christian Service on their transcript.

Students will have until January 15 (one week after the start of the second semester) to fulfill this requirement plus an additional 5 hours for not getting them completed on time.

Students who do not complete this requirement will be in jeopardy of not participating in graduation events, as they will not meet graduation requirements.

Please see the Christian Service Learning page on the NDP website for more details.