Background
Among the goals and criteria that articulate the essence of the Sacred Heart school in the United States Goal Three matches JPIC commitment: Commitment to educate to a social awarness which impels to action.
- The school educates to a critical consciousness that leads its total community to analyze and reflect on the values of society and to act for justice.
- The school offers all its members opportunities for direct service and advocacy and instills a life-long commitment to service.
- The school is linked in a reciprocal manner with ministries among people who are poor, marginalized and suffering from injustice.
- In our multicultural world, the school prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally.
- The school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards of the earth's resources.
The Duchesene/Oak Hill school is linked in a reciprocal manner with ministries among people who are poor, marginalized and suffering from injustice. In our multicultural world, the school prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally. The school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards of the earth's resources.
In order to implement this Goal and its related Criteria, Villa Duchesne students grades 7-12 participate in the Service Learning Program. Students are given an opportunity for off campus experiential learning that develops students' understanding of their society, enables them to participate in an active contribution to their world, and enhances their skills in responsibility, initiative, communication, and team work.
All of the freshmen work with young children. The sophomores and juniors tutor and facilitate enrichment programs at food banks, schools for disabled students, work on environmental projects, and assist agencies that serve people in poverty. Seniors do an independent service project, for forty hours, related to a social justice issue.
Students have structured reflection time in advisory or discussion groups and do journaling about their service work. There is also frequent informal discussion regarding their work. The upper school faculty accompany students during the Service Learning Program and many work along side students at their sites. Our program is developmental in nature. The combination of service learning and the junior level social justice class helps our students internalize Goal III as they prepare for senior year and life "after Villa."
