Community Based Service Learning               
History: Cardinal Newman High School & Ursuline High School
By: John Contreras 11/24/08

In the fall of 1995, the Bishop of the Santa Rosa Diocese invited the University of Notre Dame to Cardinal Newman and Ursuline High Schools.  A full day of presentation was made regarding a new force within education, Community Based Service Learning.  Our entire faculty and staff witnessed a presentation emphasizing the importance of learning through experience. There was also a call for students at the high school level to be prepared for college with a direct knowledge of what service learning involves.  We took the advice and perused further investigation.

In the spring of 1996, Auburn High School of northern California was invited to present to the faculties of Cardinal Newman and Ursuline High Schools.  The program Auburn High introduced was the “Senior Project.”  Their program emphasized the importance of allowing students to dream and discover their “passion” for learning through community based project work.  Examples of project work given at that time included, building a bicycle, rebuilding a car engine, and such.  A strong message of achieving “buy in” from students, parents and faculty was given.  One of the most difficult tasks was convincing parents of the value of service learning.

During the same time frame, the principals of Cardinal Newman and Ursuline requested the junior and senior level teachers meet to discuss possible cross-curricular programs to implement on both campuses.  All teachers met to brainstorm about possible committees to form.  Two major committees came out of this initial meeting; firstly a committee to investigate possible “block schedule” options and secondly, a committee to further investigate possibilities in the area of “community based service learning.” Obviously, the two committees were successful in their efforts; both topics of investigation are now a reality in our community.

The service learning committee met a couple of times a week for a solid year to continue their investigation of ways to implement an integrated program.  By the fall of 1996 a decision was made to move ahead in establishing a complete “Senior Project” program.  Meetings continued to develop curriculum for three areas of discipline: Religion, English and Social Studies.  A committee of dedicated teachers spent countless hours drafting a finalized plan for implementation in the spring of 1997.  Meetings were held with administrators and parents.  Some resistance to service learning was received however, after re-evaluation of the plan a program was established and ready for implementation.  Initial projects were coming from the investigations carried out by students.  Discovering the concept of “social issue,” was always a part of the junior religion curriculum and became a natural process for investigation.  Also, within the English curriculum, research was a natural process, thus, lending itself to students’ investigations of possible solutions to the social issues being studied in Religion curriculum.  The third area of curriculum involved economics; students were asked to study the monies involved in their project work.  In particular, they studied the necessary funds needed to meet the goals of their project work.

The first year of implementation occurred over the course of the 1997 spring semester.  Students initiated their projects with the guidance of their English, Social Studies and Religion teachers.  Students also participated in an advisory period, where they received additional help with their overall project plan.  Our first attempt at Board presentations ended up being successful; though we did conduct Board presentations differently from our current schedule.  Board presentations were held in conjunction with two days of a shortened block period schedule.  Seniors presented to junior students, mentors, teachers, staff, parents and other community members.  Three years ago we moved the Board presentation schedule to a one day event within a seven period day.  This scheduling allows for all four grade levels to experience this wonderful celebration of Community Based Service Learning Projects. This change in scheduling turned out to be one of the best moves made by the committee.  It has created much more awareness of service learning than ever before.  The exposure the younger students receive to projects has allowed them to dream and plan for their own work developing service learning opportunities.

To date we have had great success with the overall service learning program.  Our students have truly come to appreciate the community in which the live and opportunities to serve; giving back to a community from which they have received much.  Our hope is that we will continue to grow the Service Learning Program by developing and implementing the necessary structure to meet the immediate needs of our community.  This program has been designed to shift and change so that it can meet the needs of the community and of our students.  We truly believe in the collaborate effort necessary for developing leaders who promote, create and support positive social change in our world.

For more information contact:

Mr. John Contreras
Cardinal Newman High School CBSL Coordinator
contreras@cardinalnewman.org

Ms. Judi Greaney
Ursuline High School CBSL Coordinator
jgreaney@ursulinehs.org