SERVICE LEARNING As an act of love, service learning at Cathedral is a multi-step cycle that involves emotional and critical under- standing, active engagement, and reflection. This learning process mirrors Cathedral’s commitment to developing the hearts, minds, hands, and voices of our boys. Step 1: Hearts Emotional understanding, the entry point to service learning, explores connections between the students’ lives and the lives of others. Using care, respect, and empathy, emotional under- standing allows students to become conscious of others’ joys and pains, strengths and wounds, hopes and fears. The process of recognizing and recip- rocating emotions is essential for this understanding, which involves thinking and acting with one’s heart. Step 2: Minds Critical understanding occurs when students bring matters of the heart to the precision and rigor of the mind. Having recognized an area in need of healing, improvement, reconcili- ation, or celebration, students research the situation, especially exploring a diversity of voices, perspectives, and solutions. Critical understanding involves withholding assumptions and acknowl- edging biases. It allows students to make informed and intelligent decisions on the best course of action. Step 3: Hands & Voices Active engagement is when students use their hands and voices to engage in acts of service that are practical, hands-on, and typically engage the wider community. Acts of service can be private and intimate or they can be public and social. Acts of service can include: • Celebrating overlooked neighbors • Welcoming and caring for immigrants or refugees • Intervening when someone is being bullied or threatened 6th graders at the Bayview Mission
8th Grade at City Hope
6 | CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
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