Seminar Students Begin Service Experience

Tim Spika, Senior Seminar Teacher
October 12, 2016

Students in the Senior Seminar course began their service experience in early October.  Each Thursday, 200 Seminar students work in with students in grades K-5 in area elementary schools.  In some schools a section of Seminar students work with a classroom of elementary students in a one-on-one situation.  In others, two or three CDH students spend time in a classroom working with different “buddies” each week. 

In light of the Gospel, Senior Seminar will engage students in thinking critically about issues vital to our world’s common good. In addition to classroom study, the  experiential learning involves fieldwork at local elementary schools.The experience is rewarding both for both the younger and older students. CDH students share “life lessons” learned from the experience in classroom discussions and written reflections. For many, Thursdays have become their favorite day in the class.

Schools that have opened their classrooms to Seminar students this year include St. Anthony Park, Horace Mann, Maxfield, Benjamin E. Mays, Crossroads and Adams Spanish Immersion, for those students who want to combine Spanish with their service work. Look for pictures and student testimonials in future service-related articles. 

Senior Seminar is a year-long religion course grounded in the 7 elements of Catholic Social Teaching, with a particular emphasis on “Call to Family, Community and Participation” and “Solidarity”.

Recognizing that “we are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences," Seminar challenges students to learn through experience, not just theory.  Other important themes include being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, plus, our roles and responsibilities as social people, especially as it impacts economics, politics and law. Students reflect on human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.

The service component continues weekly throughout the school year.