Service Learning

Safety during COVID19:

When thinking about your CAS engagements during the global COVID-19 pandemic we would like for you to prioritize your safety, the safety of your family, and honor your commitment to the safety of our school community.

Due to public health concerns — and until we have resumed full campus occupancy without restrictions — we expect you to honor your commitment to the safety of our school community by limiting your out-of-school activities to minimize your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

There are plenty of CAS engagements that you can participate in that do not require your physical presence. All Upper School students have been asked to register with the VolunteerMatch website to find opportunities in your area or by interest. VolunteerMatch has a large listing of virtual volunteering opportunities. In addition, opportunities that have been curated for WIS students are emailed directly to you and posted on the Service Learning website.

Why do we do this?

Our goals for your service learning are to help you become a responsible, caring, active member of your communities and to help you find community partnerships where you have the opportunity to learn from personal experience that you can make a difference. Service Learning is defined as assistance or work done, not for pay, for someone- or a community-in-need, which results in enriching the human connections in a community.

Service can be directly one to one or it can be indirect as long as you can see or know the results. When working with an organization, the definition of “not-for-profit” must fit. Service Learning should emphasize “human contact,” and you should use the level of human contact as a way to measure acceptability of your service.

The Community Service and CAS coordinator can act as a resource person, however the expectation is that you are taking an initiative to explore placements that are worthwhile and meaningful, both to those you serve and to you personally.

Check out our curated Articles & Media about Community Service and Service Learning.

What is required for Service Learning?

The service learning requirement for students in the 9th and 10th grades is 20 hours by the end of 10th grade. See your class page for specific information.

Students in 11 and 12th grades click here for CAS.

Hours in grades 9 and 10 may be completed through in-school or out of school activities. There are ample in school community service opportunities where priority is given to students in 9th grade.

Why are we using "Service Learning" as opposed to "Community Service"-?

Traditionally, community service did not account for or actively welcome the input of those being served. By contrast, Service Learning is an endeavor where students partner with communities who have self-described their needs. In the Service Learning model, students organize with non-profit community organizations to build lasting change in their communities.