Christian Service Learning
Serving the Vulnerable
Serve the poor, the elderly, the sick, the mentally/physically handicapped, or other marginalized people. Students will grow in compassion and understanding through challenging their comfort zones; choose service that does so. Avoid easily accessible or comfortable service, find a location that will expand one’s faith and inner character.
Students are required to serve at least half of their hours serving the vulnerable outside of O’Dea.
- Seniors must serve the vulnerable at least 6 hrs per semester
- Juniors must serve the vulnerable at least 8 hrs per semester
- Sophomores must serve the vulnerable at least 6 hrs per semester
- Freshmen must serve the vulnerable at least 4 hrs per semester
All service hours must be pre-approved. Some local institutions and local events are already pre-approved; this list can be found by clicking here. To receive emails from Service Learning Directors please sign up with “Family Connections” through the counseling office. If you do not find your event or site listed on the website and wish to have a service learning project or location pre-approved, follow instructions below. Unless otherwise approved all service hours must take place outside of the school day.
Requirements
FRESHMEN must document eight hours per semester and complete a reflection assignment assigned by their Religion teacher.
SOPHOMORES must document twelve per semester and complete a reflection assignment assigned by their Religion teacher.
JUNIORS must document fifteen hours per semester and complete a reflection assignment assigned by their Religion teacher.
SENIORS must document twelve hours per semester and complete a reflection assignment assigned by their Religion teacher.
First Semester Verification Forms Are Due in the Campus Ministry Office no later than Thursday, December 15th. Service hours completed after the December 15th deadline will be recorded for the Second Semester requirement.
Second Semester Verification Forms Are Due in the Campus Ministry Office: (Seniors) no later than Wednesday, May 16th, (Freshmen through Juniors) no later than Wednesday, May 23rd. Any hours completed after the deadline will fall under “Summer Service Learning”, see below for details.
Semester Grades
The student’s service learning assignment (service hours + reflection) is worth twenty percent of their Religion grade each semester. Service hours must be completed per semester: First Semester’s hours do not carry over to the Second Semester.
Application for Pre-Approval
Only the CSL Director can approve CSL hours. Other teachers, coaches, staff, or parents are not authorized to approve service events or locations.
Students who wish to serve at agencies that are not already on the pre-approved master list, must submit a written application that answers specific CSL questions regarding the quality of service at that site. Use the pre-approval application document.
CSL department will respond to each proposal.
Summer Christian Service Learning
Given the number of opportunities presented to students during the summer, we want to encourage students to become involved in these opportunities. The requirements that have been created were intended for a nine month school period, so hours earned during the summer will not be credited in the same fashion.
During the summer, Christian Service Learning hours will be accepted towards a student’s required fall semester CSL hours. Each summer hour will be given ½ hour credit for a student’s fall hour requirements.
All hours must be served at a pre-approved site or receive approval from the CSL director. See instructions for “application for pre-approval”.
Service Learning Directors
Mr. David Olinger, dolinger@odea.org
Br. Tom LeJeune, tlejeune@odea.org