I’ve come across a few stories lately of students doing community service and learning at the same time.

They’ve been doing what’s called service-learning or social-justice projects. These efforts seem to be on the rise especially in the high school to college level - a very good thing given that many people are in need in this bad economy.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

More than 550 students from Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton volunteered to spruce up several Ravenswood City School District campuses in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

On March 13, the students, along with 100 teachers and parents from Sacred Heart, performed more than 30 service-learning projects, answering needs identified by the district.

The projects included building raised beds for an organic garden and refurbishing a greenhouse at James Flood School; painting a multipurpose room/cafeteria at Ronald McNair Intermediate; and cataloging books for the Belle Haven School library.

Students also worked as teaching assistants in the classrooms.
Some of the projects were part of the curriculum in certain classes. For instance, students in the physical geography class planted a vegetable garden at Cesar Chavez School while those taking art painted a mural of the school mascot at Willow Oaks Elementary.

(In the courtesy photo above from Sacred Heart, sophomore Lucy Zhu brushes the finishing touches on the Willow Oaks mural.)

Sacred Heart’s service learning department organized the service day. It marked the first time that Sacred Heart members served together in a coordinated effort during regular school hours.

Jim Hughes, Sacred Heart’s service learning director, said that planning the day was no small task. It required the help of a small army, including parent volunteers and student leaders Brynna Quillin, Brian Cropper, Danielle Debroeck, Mia Marino, Robert MacGregor, Christine Rogers and Katie Sims.

The department is also working with the Ravenswood Education Foundation to develop other activities that build on the service day, such as adopting a garden partnership project and participating in the Big Brother Big Sister program at Belle Haven and Green Oaks schools.

The Service Learning Program at Sacred Heart Schools plays an integral role in the curriculum for preschool through 12th grade. It is designed to connect service activities with specific learning goals.

At the high school level, students are required throughout their four years to complete 25 hours of community service and at least two ongoing projects — one for charity that responds to an immediate need and one that addresses injustice.