We create interdependence.
WE JUST TRY TO CREATE THE SPACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN COLLABORATE;
Not far from King School, the Catholic Academy of Stamford has continually put forth the importance of service to the student body.
“The Catholic Academy of Stamford has a full-fledged service program, However, we had to adjust that in COVID times,” Principal Patricia Brady said. “So much of our service has been, rather than leaving our school to go to places, we are educating ourselves about areas of need and raising funds to support them.”
This includes Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Foundations in Charity, a newly formed program by the Bridgeport Diocese, the Bennett Cancer Center, Wreaths Across America program, and the Catholic Diocese in Kentucky in supporting those suffering from the tornadoes.
“Now we are hoping to emerge from just being able to fundraise to continue what we always have done which is go out and serve the community,” Brady said.
Christian Heritage School in Trumbull is committed to service as well, posing the belief that student participation in service goes to cultivate more genuine and principled young adults.
“We’re not just preparing students to step into the world with great SAT scores or with a great resume, that’s all well and good, but we want to make sure that we’re graduating students who have the perspective that ‘I am in a place that is much bigger than me, I serve a small part of this, and I need to look outside myself to see how I can better other people,’” Karl Simon said, Upper School Principal at the Christian Heritage School. “It is incumbent on us to prime the pump and give them these opportunities to do that.”
Because of this philosophy, the Trumbull school provides ample opportunities for students to get involved in their community. Through specific service opportunities like clothing and food drives, visits to local nursing homes, and projects with Bridgeport Rescue Mission to fight against homelessness, students feel the value of giving back early on and carry it with them as they spread their wings.
During the holiday season, the school has taken part in initiatives run by Samaritans Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. This past year, students at the Christian Heritage School sent boxes of presents to children in under privileged communities.
“If it needs help and gets student working that muscle and seeing that there’s a benefit from serving, we love to provide those opportunities,” Simon said.
To learn more, be sure to visit school websites www.kingschoolct.org, www.woosterschool.org , and www.kingsmen.org.