Network of Sacred Heart Schools
Academics

Service Learning

An integral component to a Sacred Heart education, service learning is, in part, a tangible manifestation of our Goals and Criteria in action. In preparation for a service activity, students learn about and reflect on their local and global communities. Basic human rights and needs are explored, as well as issues surrounding equal access to services like healthy food, water, medical care, and quality education. Students are encouraged to voice their experiences, opinions, and to share ideas to effect change. We seek to imbue all students with a genuine respect and authentic compassion for all people and the environment in which we live.

P-8 SERVICE PROGRAM

Sacred Heart’s Preschool - Grade 8 Service Program combines opportunities for service learning and community outreach, supporting continual growth of both the minds and hearts of our students. Each service activity combines learning, action and reflection. The program helps students cultivate compassion, generosity, and respect for their community members as well as broaden their awareness and responsibility for the world in which they live.

The P-8 Service Program is a combination of all school collections, family outreach opportunities and grade level community partnerships. Each grade level explores curricular ties and leadership development, connected with an outreach activity. Students build relationships and support community programs through coordinated opportunities for direct service, indirect service, and advocacy.

P-8 Programs

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  • All Grade Drives & Collections

    Thanksgiving Holiday Meals Collection
    Supporting St. Vincent de Paul families
    Christmas Toy, Clothing, and Necessities Drive
    Supporting St. Francis Center, SOS, Street LifeMoves Ministries, and Haven House
    Uganda Lenten Collection
    Supporting our sister schools in Kenya and Uganda
    World Event/Natural Disaster Relief
    Immediate response to a local or global crisis situation

  • Family Service Opportunities

    Coastal Beach Cleanup Day
    International effort in preserving and beautifying beachfront
    SOS - Sandwiches/Soup on Sunday
    Prepare and serve lunch for community members that need a meal every 3rd Sunday
    REF Classroom Partners
    Spend time with teachers and students in neighboring schools
    Sunday Breakfast @ First Steps Shelter
    Prepare and share a meal with families in San Mateo LifeMoves Shelter

  • Grade Service in Action

    Pre/K Acts of Kindness
    GRADE 1 Campus Compassion
    GRADE 2 Community ~ My New Red Shoes
    GRADE 3 Literacy ~ Oakwood
    GRADE 4 Elderly ~ Rosener House
    GRADE 5 Abilities ~ Special Olympics
    GRADE 6 Community: Local, Network
    GRADE 7 Homelessness ~ Street Life Ministries
    GRADE 8 Leadership, Community, Independent Service Outreach ~ St. Vincent de Paul

Service Learning @ SHP (Grades 9-12)

At the high school level, analysis of the root causes of suffering and injustice is coupled with individual activity and contribution. Through service performed on campus, for local organizations, and service-immersion programs, students apply their passions to enact meaningful, positive change. Proximity and solidarity with people who are poor or marginalized is emphasized in annual service projects. The goal is to bring students from performing charity to actively seeking justice. Additionally, some disciplines, electives, and upper-division courses require experiential service activities as part of the standard curriculum. Senior independent studies in community service or social justice also help bring students to a higher level engagement with social justice. Log in for additional information and class level specifics.

SHP PROGRAMS

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  • Service Immersion

    Immersion is an excellent way for students to gain real-world and travel experience, while integrating service and education. Sacred Heart offers a variety of school-sponsored, as well as school-approved, immersion programs throughout the academic year and summer. Students may opt for an immersion opportunity as part of their Senior Capstone Project or in addition to it. To be considered, students must complete an application process and need-based financial aid is always available.

    Recent opportunities include:

  • Legacy Summer Nonprofit Internship

    Through a funded program, rising SHP seniors have an exclusive opportunity to self-design and carry out a service project with a nonprofit organization of their choosing. Students complete an application process and if selected for a Legacy Internship, will work with SHP Service Learning staff to define and outline program goals, coordinate outreach, and secure of a benefiting organization. Legacy Interns will be given a stipend for summer work and travel connected to the project’s execution. Interns will present a formal paper, project deliverable, and will give a formal presentation to the SHP community at the conclusion of the internship.

  • Heart Exchange

    Begun as a collaboration between the Service Learning and Fine Arts departments at SHP, the HeArt Exchange provides enrichment programs for underserved students from the Siena Youth Center in Redwood City. With the support of SHP faculty and students who lead each session, the program meets weekly during the school year, providing lessons in everything from instrumental music to robotics, from physics to photo editing. An example of a true reciprocal partnership, Siena students benefit from our campus and students while SHP students gain valuable social awareness and concrete mentorship skills.

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Your example, more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson for the world.

Contacts

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Where Scholarship and Values Matter
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12