Program Overview
Philosophy
The goal of the Service Learning program at St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School is to develop and foster in our students a genuine desire to help others and become actively involved in building the Body of Christ. A call to service is a basic call from Jesus to all Christians; thus service is a part of our curriculum and lifelong education.
Model
The SPSV Service Learning program is a project-centered model. The aim of such a model is to expose students to different forms of ministry through service to others, giving the student an opportunity to find an area and need suited to their gifts. The length of each project is dependent upon the type and complexity of that particular project. Freshmen are required to work two class-wide service events. Sophomores have one class-wide project and must additionally complete 15 hours of service at an approved site of their choosing. Juniors and Seniors will focus their attention to the Capstone project.
Each student is required to log their hours on the MobileServe app, validating their work, as well as completing a reflection in their religion class. The reflection process is vital to integrating this new experience in one’s world perspective and achieving a high level of understanding and moral awareness.
Freshmen:
Freshmen will participate in two class-wide Service Learning projects. In the fall semester, students will participate in the Coastal Cleanup Day. In the spring semester, students will participate in a project focused on hunger issues.
Sophomores:
Sophomores will participate in a class-wide Service Learning project: Operation Backpack. In the spring semester, they will gather essential school supplies and assemble backpacks for donation to students in need.
In addition, students must complete a minimum 15 hours of service at an approved service site. While it is preferred that students complete these hours at one site, they may complete their hours by volunteering at multiple sites or events, so long as they are all approved ahead of time. Students must begin their service by the end of the 1st quarter, and they must complete their hours by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Capstone Project (Junior & Senior Years)
The Capstone Project will give our students the opportunity to focus on social issues important to them and to their community. The Capstone Project is designed to incorporate IPARD/C model, a process by which students:
- Investigate the needs that exist in our community. Students will select an issue that they care deeply about. They may go back and revisit a theme from previous years, or they can find a new topic to focus on.
- Plan for a service experience that will address one of these needs, give them the opportunity to use their skills and gifts in the service of the community, and work within their time and location needs.
- Take action through direct service.
- Reflect on their service experience - what did they learn about the population they were serving, what did they learn about themselves, and what connections can they make to what they have learned in class.
- Demonstrate a more cohesive and holistic understanding of the needs that exist in our community based on both classroom curriculum and the co-curricular experience of direct service.
- Celebrate the difference that they have made and will continue to make through their service.
Juniors:
In the 2nd quarter of their junior year, students will investigate problems of interest in their community and plan ways in which they will meet the community need. These steps will occur in religion class.
After careful planning and approval, students will put their plans into action during the spring semester and summer break. Plans must make use of at least one of the four ways of providing service: direct, indirect, research, and advocacy.
Seniors:
After students put their plans into action, they will reflect on how their actions impacted their community and the ways in which their work contributes to the common good. This will take place in religion class during the 1st quarter.
At the end of the Capstone Project, students will demonstrate and celebrate their achievements through an in-class presentation. Select projects will be showcased in a TEDx event hosted by SPSV.
Summer Service:
Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year may complete their service requirement over the summer. Students need to gain prior approval before completing service hours over the summer. Please email proposals to service@spsv.org.
List of Service Opportunities
SPSV has a list of service opportunities regularly attended by our students. All sites are non-profits, and most have 501(c)3 status. A list of pre-approved service sites is available on Schoology and by request to the Service Learning Coordinator.
- These sites are automatically approved, and you do not need to register with the Service Learning Coordinator before you begin your volunteer work.
- The list has the most up-to-date information available to the Service Learning Coordinator. If you come across information that is incorrect, please email service@spsv.org.
- If you choose to volunteer at a site NOT on this list, you will need to get approval from the Service Learning Coordinator before you begin work. Sites must be non-profit organizations with direct adult supervision. Please submit your approval request to service@spsv.org, and include relevant about your proposed site. Any hours worked prior to approval will be declined.
SPSV Service Award
Students who complete additional service beyond the minimum number of hours required, or complete service of an exemplary nature, may qualify for the SPSV Service Award. The recipients are chosen by the Service Learning Coordinator, and the award is given at Senior Presentation.