Service Learning & Verification

Service Learning: Living the Call to Serve

Service is more than a requirement. It’s a core part of what it means to live our mission to Think and Act Like Christ. Through the Service Learning Program, students are encouraged to grow in empathy, develop social responsibility, and discover their own spiritual gifts by serving those most in need. With structured reflection and accountability, service becomes a meaningful part of each student’s journey, both academically and spiritually.

Service Learning Program

Each CCHS student is required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of service work outside the school day every year from a minimum of three different events/activities, with at least one being completed each semester. A minimum of 10 hours MUST be in direct service to those most in need (see definition below). Our goal is to foster the development of empathy, awareness, social responsibility, and a sense of caring for others as the students serve those in need. We hope students will discover their spiritual gifts so they may accomplish our mission, “To Think and Act Like Christ”

Definition of Community Service

Service is a genuine sacrifice on the part of the doer that involves compassion and effort over and above an act of kindness for family or neighbors. We give our time and talent in service to our fellow man as representatives of Christ. It is done for people to whom we owe nothing, and yet, because of our obligations as Christians, we owe everything.

All service may be completed through a CCHS sponsored event outside of school hours, a Church sponsored event, through an approved non-profit agency, or an organization or community event that serves the marginalized of our community, especially the poor, sick, hungry, elderly, challenged, and youth.

Examples of service are working our annual canned food drive, tutoring at Laughlin Chapel, preparing meals at the 18th Street Neighborhood Center, assisting the participants in the Miracle League games, participating in the numerous service opportunities presented at CCHS, etc.

Service is NOT babysitting, mowing our neighbor’s grass, or cleaning out our grandparents’ attic. These are things we should do for family or neighbors just because of our responsibility to them. Fundraising events for a team, club, or individual are not approved events for community service. A student should not receive any compensation or benefit for his/her service.

Service Learning Requirements

All service activities should comply with Catholic teaching. Prior to any outreach (unless it is an event promoted through Campus Ministry), the student will be required to gain approval for that particular service from the Campus Minister. A contact person or supervisor must be provided for each student at a given placement. The student must be under adult supervision at all times. Students must receive proper orientation and guidance for the task they will be undertaking.

Reflection upon service is a key element in the success of the service experience in the learning it produces. Reflection can be structured in a variety of ways from small group or classroom discussions, journaling, and reflection essays on given topics are a few of the possible methods. Students will be required to participate in such reflection activities at least once a semester during their Religion class.

A student may begin accumulating his/her service hours on June 1st during the summer prior to any academic year. Each student is required to keep track of service learning hours and submit them to the Campus Minister.

Detailed directions for this will be given to students at the start of every school year. All service hours for an academic year must be submitted by May 1st. Any student who fails to complete his or her service hours may have their participation in extracurricular activities suspended until the hours are submitted. Failure to complete the service requirement will result in an incomplete grade in Religion and thus be reported as a failing grade. In the case of Seniors, the 20 service hours per year is also part of CCHS’s graduation requirements. Failure to complete the required service hours will prevent the student from receiving his or her diploma.

Opportunities for service are announced regularly throughout the school year and also emailed to students on a regular basis.