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Service Learning

“…for it is in giving that we receive…”
From the prayer of St. Francis

Service Learning is an integral part of our curriculum, involving every student at Saint Hilary School. We see service learning as vital to living our Catholic mission. It is a more student centered approach than traditional forms of community service, such as volunteering. The focus is on the student's experience and the placement of Saint Hilary School's values and ethics in action. Our culture of service is meant for students to develop compassion, empathy and a sense of justice for those in need through active participation.

Each project is led by our students from beginning to end, including selecting the charitable or service action, the beneficial charity, service method, reflection of action and benefit for other. Each month a specific grade level leads a community outreach effort. Students learn to serve in partnership with community groups and with purpose. Here are a few of the local community partners that Saint Hilary has created an alliance:

  • Marin Adopt a Family
  • Marin Food Bank
  • Marin Foster Care
  • Play Marin
  • St. Vincent de Paul
  • Canal Alliance (on hold)

Among the many service opportunities Saint Hilary students led last year were: Appreciation Day for community services Tiburon Police/Fire/Town Hall), working with children from Horizon Community School, school campus environment cleaning, Marin Food Bank, Be Kind to Others Month, Giving Tree Drive, reading to the elderly, and growing trees for the environment.

Service Hours Program

The Saint Hilary School Service Hours Program is a mandatory program for all students in Grades 5-8. Our Service Hours Program is designed to help our community and those in need. At Saint Hilary School, we define service hours as outreach to those who are less fortunate than us. We live in the image and likeness of God. Or long term goal is to create a community of students where a culture of service is second nature and a part of their strong moral foundation.

Our Goals include:

  • Strengthen and enrich our faith
  • Consistent out reach to local community
  • Nurture a positive culture of stewardship
  • Create empathy for those in need

Hourly Requirements per Grade:

  • 5th Grade: 10 hours
  • 6th Graders: 10 hours
  • 7th Graders; 20 hours
  • 8th Graders; 20 hours

Students may elect to participate in school sponsored community events or select to do individual service projects. Due to COVID restrictions, many opportunities were not available but here are some examples from the 2022-23 school year:

  • Grass Roots effort of collecting warm coats for St. Vincent de Paul (homeless) by sitting on street corners in Marin for several weekends.
  • SHS Sponsored Environmental clean-up days (Bay and Horse Hill)
  • Baked Goods for First Responders
  • Campus clean up efforts
  • Special event set up and service

In 2022-23 School year, our students performed close to 2,000 hours of community service.