St. Catherine's School ~ Service Learning

Martins School Rewards

Every day, St. Catherine's girls get out into the community to be of service to others. Whether they are working with autistic children, organizing a blood drive, or babysitting at a women's shelter, they are committed to playing a vital role in the community.

The girls take to heart the school's motto: "What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own," and each year they initiate over 100 community service projects.

In Lower School community service projects are frequently incorporated into daily classroom activities. When possible, representatives from local and international organizations present special chapel programs to inform students of the needs throughout the community. Lower School teachers select activities for general class participation and coordinate student involvement in hands-one projects.

In Middle School, community service projects are initiated by the girls and they range from working at animal shelters, to baby sitting at the Sacred Heart Center, to partnerships with schools in the city of Richmond.

Upper School

In Upper School, a community service requirement designed by the faculty and administration enhances learning while giving students the opportunity to reflect on the moral and personal significance of serving others.

All students are required to complete at least 25 total hours of community service each year. The year officially begins with the summer leading into the next grade. Thus 9th grade students may earn hours toward their ninth grade year starting after the 8th grade graduation. Students are asked to have no more than 5 hours of their 25 hours take place on the Saints campus.

There are myriad ways in which to complete this requirement, including church mission trips, individual projects, and group work. It is the student’s responsibility to contact an approved organization to arrange her volunteer service, and the school prefers that she completes her year’s work with one placement, as a way of building relationships and future connection for students who come after her.

Students record their service on a community service log located on the community service internal page. A Community Service Committee reviews each student’s efforts, and students who have not completed hours by due dates will receive an incomplete designation on their transcript.

Stop Hunger Now

Malnutrition remains the world’s most serious health problem and the single biggest contributor to child mortality, more than HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined.
1 out of 4 children – around 146 million - in developing countries are malnourished.
Under nutrition contributes to more than one-half of the 9.7 million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries. This means that one child dies every six seconds from malnutrition and related causes.
60% of the 10.9 million child deaths in developing countries are related to hunger and/or malnutrition.

1 in 7 people in the world will go to bed hungry tonight.

Last year St. Catherine’s hosted the Stop Hunger Now campaign and we are asking that you each help in this wonderful ministry. This is an opportunity for us all to join together as a community and do our part to and help some one who is starving in the world.

The Call of Christ is very simple. In The gospel of Matthew these words are shared for each and every one of us:

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

This is our opportunity to help “feed the least of these”, and in a way answer the calling of Jesus in the gospel.

In the weeks leading up to the event we are asking that each St. Catherine’s make a conscience effort to set aside or raise $40. That is roughly $10 to $15 dollars a week for the next three weeks.

We are asking that you make a conscious effort in the next few weeks to sacrifice in some way small way. Instead of going to get that extra large Frappuccino, set the money aside. Instead of going out to a movie, just rent one and save the money. Instead of going out to eat, save the money. Next time you babysit; set the money aside for this ministry

We are asking that this service effort is a part of your everyday life. We are asking that you make an effort to sacrifice in some small way over the coming weeks. It does not seem right that we try to sell another plastic bracelet or donuts for such a serious and life changing cause.

Our goal is for the student body to come together, donate funds and then together package 50,000 meals on October the 11^th. All donations will all go to stop hunger now.

If you are able to contribute more than $40, then please do so. Feel free to ask family members and friends to donate to this cause. If you can only contribute a smaller amount, that is fine as well, every gift is a blessing.

Lets each take on this practice of faith and change the world. Thank you for your time and efforts on this ministry.

Info for Current Parents and Students

Community Service Internal Page
Click here to locate the Community Service Form for student hours. You must be signed-in to view this page.

Service Learning Photos

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Stop Hunger Now 2012

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