MONDAY: Celebrating Your Community

A central aspect of Catholic education is learning the importance of service to others. When students take part in service activities—both local and beyond—they demonstrate the values and faith they gain through their Catholic education and learn how to make the world a better place. When they observe how others serve the community, they gain an appreciation for how they can continue to serve others their entire lives.

TIP: Many schools have service hours and service projects already planned for the year. Don’t have time to plan something else? Find a way to incorporate what you already do into your CSW celebration, such as an assembly that shares total service hours or other real-time updates, or recognize those who have gone above and beyond the minimum requirement.

Ideas for Celebrating Your Community

• Donate educational materials for students in underserved communities.
• Host an awards assembly recognizing students and teachers who have demonstrated outstanding community service.
• Have students put together care packages to send to active duty military. If students or families in the school have active duty family members, create a package for them with personalized notes or other items.
• Write notes, make posters or decorate treat baskets to deliver to community leaders, local service organizations or local children’s hospitals.
• Write notes, make posters or decorate treat baskets to deliver to neighbors and local businesses around the school. Thank them for being great neighbors!
• Host a dress-down day fundraiser, asking students to donate $1 toward a Catholic charity or service organization to earn an out-of-uniform pass.
• Invite members of the community into the school for muffins or other appetizers, or a student-led tour or event. This is an opportunity for both community members to talk with students and students to interact with members of the community.