Having a faith-based curriculum through 8th grade reinforced certain values and beliefs that I may not have otherwise been reminded of.
—Jon, alumnus
Service learning is an important part of a Catholic education. Service learning puts faith into action, develops a global perspective, and allows students to have a voice in how they help others. Students put their Leader in Me leadership skills to work as they choose and implement their service learning projects.
Based on what they are passionate about, classes choose issues to work on as a class, grade, or small group. Service learning is integrated into the curriculum as students address topics in science, social studies, or health and use reading, communication, technology, leadership, and other skills to help solve real-world problems.
Our Leader in Me Student Lighthouse and other student teams also initiate projects for school-wide service learning and community service. Recent projects have assisted the MercyOne Festival of Trees, Humane Society, Matthew 25 Food Pantry, cancer research, and UNI/Univ. of Iowa Dance Marathons. Students have learned about recycling from Waste Trac, completed projects for veterans and the homebound, and assisted with many activities at St. Patrick School and Parish. A student team also plans optional monthly out-of-uniform days for a $1 donation and decides what causes the money goes to, be it school, local, or national needs. We also have a student team that fosters our relationship with our sponsor child in Bolivia.
Starting in grade 5, students are required to document service done outside of the classroom and reflect on how they assisted others and what it means to them. Many families participate in our monthly service at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, working together to sort food and package items for the Backpack Project.
Our students are learning the beauty of helping others and improving our world. They are learning that no matter how old you are you can make a difference!
St. Patrick School has found ways to continue with service learning despite COVID-19, WCF Courier