Christian Service

A NOTE FROM THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE OFFICE - Mar. 8, 2013
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FORMS
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IN THE NEWS

Thanksgiving with Missionaries of Charity
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"Hunger" Games for the Homeless
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PHILOSOPHY

The Christian Service program at Bishop O'Connell reflects the fundamental principles upon which the school was built. Our mission is to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Christ to brothers and sisters in our local and international communities. We integrate and practice the methods in accordance to Catholic Social Teaching to help students prepare for missions throughout the world.

Our actions are perhaps best embodied by our school's mission:

“To provide students with an education rooted in Christ
and to foster the pursuit of excellence in the whole person."

SERVICE PROGRAM - ACTION, REFLECTION, TRANSFORMATION

 Bishop O’Connell’s mission is to provide students a Catholic education rooted in the life of Christ. Along with praise and worship, service is integral as we identify ourselves as Christians to our local and global community. Students are encouraged to act on the biblical ideals of “falling in love with the service of God.” Introducing people to God is fundamental in living a Christ-centered life and the way to the heart of others is through service.

The formation of service at O’Connell is to support the belief not only that community service is  an act we perform along our spiritual journey, but that service in the lives of our students becomes transformational and purposeful in their ongoing metamorphosis to becoming more like Christ.

There are three main lenses that outline how this process will occur: Action, Reflection, and Transformation. These principles are dependent upon one another and inseparable when describing our charitable involvement.

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

It is expected that each student complete a at minimum of ten hours of service to fulfill his or her individual requirement for the year. Throughout the four years at O’Connell each student will build a portfolio that consists of verification forms and reflections. As the students progress through the program we recommend students explore different types of service. Recommendation for grade levels can be found on the ACTION page.

SERVICE POLICIES

Hours served in addition to the requirement may not be carried over from one academic year to the next. However students are encouraged to turn in all records of service, even those extending beyond their requirements, so that these records may be used when verifying service hours for college applications, scholarship awards, etc. Students cannot be released from school to fulfill a student’s service requirement. It is important to recognize the difference between free labor (or simply working without payment) and true Christian service. While each student is individually responsible for finding places to serve, students should check the Service bulletin board outside the cafeteria, daily announcements, Edmodo, and O’Connell web site for updates throughout the year. Service performed by organizations at O’Connell may qualify for service hours when performed outside of regular school hours.

SERVICE PORTFOLIO

All the necessary forms can be found on Edmodo. Please contact the Christian Service office for the access code.

Community Service Parent Acknowledgment Form

Parent Acknowledgment Form is due by Oct. 15. This form is for students and parents to discuss where the student intends to volunteer in order to fulfill the minimum ten hour requirement of service for the year. The form should be filled out and given to Homeroom teachers by Oct. 15. Additional copies of the Parent Acknowledgment Form can be found HERE or under the Service Forms tab in Edmodo or in the Christian Service Office.

Community Service Verification Form (Student)

The Verification Form for the student is due in May (May 3 for seniors, May 24 for juniors, sophomores, freshmen). The Verification Form is where the student will indicate the amount of hours they volunteered, the organization they worked for, and a reflection of his/her experience. The Verification Form should be uploaded to Edmodo once complete in order for the student to receive credit. Once the student has submitted the Form they will receive a grade. Students who have not submitted the Supervisor Feedback Form will earn a 50/100 until the necessary documentation is completed.

Community Service Supervisor Feedback Form

The Supervisor Feedback Form can be downloaded from the page below: Supervisors can go to

www.bishopoconnell.org/supervisor

Christian Service Grading: While service should ideally be self-motivated, the importance of these annual projects will be reflected in honor roll criteria for second and fourth quarter. To be on the honor roll for second quarter, a student must have completed and received approval for a service proposal. To be on the honor roll for fourth quarter, a student must have completed the Parent Acknowledgement Form, Student Verification Form, and the Supervisor Feedback Form. Directions and deadlines are posted on Edmodo.

The service grade becomes a part of the student’s transcript but is not awarded an academic credit and therefore does not affect the GPA. The grading scale is as follows:

• P-Student completed service requirement and all of the associated paperwork on time.
• I-Student failed to complete service requirement and/or all of the associated paperwork by the end of May.

PLEASE NOTE - Service grade changes cannot be made to final transcripts.

Any service performed by underclassmen during the summer will be applied to the following school year.