What is Service-Learning?
Christian Service-Learning connects and integrates course curriculum, service experiences, and Catholic Social Teachings into the classroom. The goal of the Service-Learning curriculum is for students to learn concepts, contents and skills while also working with those in need or indirectly work for social change. Christian Service-Learning at CBHS aims to promote in class discussion as well as incorporate Lasallian Core Principles in a meaningful way. An additional goal of Service-Learning is to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real world issues.
Christian Brothers has expanded its Service-Learning to a 4-year curriculum beginning in students’ Freshman year Religious Studies classes. During the 24-25 school year, this curriculum will expand to the Junior classes. In addition to grade level Service-Learning that students will undertake, many other classes will feature Service-Learning projects or units as part of their curriculum.
The framework for this Christian Service Curriculum is as follows:
Freshman Year Religious Studies Courses: The Freshman curriculum includes learning about food insecurity as a national problem and understanding it in the context of our location in Oak Park, with opportunities to serve at the Food Bank and local Community Gardens. This project will culminate with the Freshman class spearheading a canned food drive in the month of November to benefit our neighbors in the Oak Park community.
Sophomore Year World History Courses: The Sophomore year curriculum will focus on the plight of refugees in the Sacramento area. Working with World Relief, a non-profit agency that helps resettle refugees throughout the country, and particularly in Sacramento, sophomores will lead an informational campaign to raise awareness. Additionally, they will spearhead a collection of items to compile Welcome Kits for newly arrived refugees and will have opportunities to volunteer in the World Relief warehouse.
Junior Year American Literature Courses: The Junior year curriculum will center around discussions that emerge after their reading of There, There by Tommy Orange. There, There is a novel that explores themes of the modern-day, urban Native American experience. Juniors will then work to provide programming about social justice issues surrounding the Native American experience in the 21st century for students at an elementary school in Oak Park.