‘We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’
Mother Teresa
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
For the past few years, St. John the Baptist School has focused on value formation through our
Monthly Virtues Program. Each month we highlight one virtue (faith, empathy, conscience, hope,
kindness etc.) and encourage students to demonstrate this virtue during the month. The St. John the Baptist
community has long been known for its kindness and generosity towards those in need in our community. As part of
our focus on Catholic values and morals and in the spirit of the Good Samaritan, we are starting a new initiative
called:
”I Can Make a Difference in the World”
10 hours of community service Gr. 5-8. Students in Grade Five to Grade Eight will be asked to perform 10
hours of community service by the end of the school year.
What is community service? Anytime you are helping someone outside of your immediate family out of the
goodness of your heart, during your free time, for no payment is considered community service.
Where can these hours be completed?
Help your school – tutor younger students, help coach teams or younger students, PALS, Faith
Ambassadors, Office Helpers, Environmental Club, Library, sit on Student Council or any combination of
these activities during recesses or before/after school.
Help your neighbours - cut an elderly neighbour’s grass, raking, shoveling snow, babysitting
Help your community - organizing a group of friends to clean up a neighbourhood park or area, getting
involved in parish service activities, volunteer at the library,
Our greatest hope. Servitude to those in need, out of the generosity of your heart, we believe is the center of
who we are as Catholics. Our greatest hope is that students learn the deep value of helping others in life, and will
carry on with these generous actions of volunteerism in their own life. Each and every one of us has the power to
change the world for the better by performing acts of kindness.
How do we track our hours?
Students fill out the attached tracking sheet. Note, that the adult who is
supervising the volunteer work is required to sign that the duty has been completed.
When are they due? All hours must be completed and returned to your classroom teacher by May 4th 2012.
The tracking sheet, a one page written reflection of what you learned from this experience of serving others as
a Disciple of Jesus Christ, and an oral presentation sharing with your class your volunteer work experiences will all
be part of this initiative. Teachers will be using this as part of each student’s summative Religion mark in Third
Term.
Tips and suggestions. Talk over ideas of how you can fulfill your 10 hours with your parents. Speak to your
teachers if you need help or clarification.
Please return this portion to your child’s teacher that you have read and understood this initiative.
Student Name: __________________________ Parent Signature:__________________
(please print)
”I Can Make a Difference in the World”
"In helping others, we shall help ourselves,
for whatever good we give out completes the circle
and comes back to us."
Flora Edwards
Thank you for your help and support in making St. John the Baptist School students leaders and students
of action in our community.
Date
e.g.
Oct. 2nd
Duty
# of Hours
Adult Supervisor
Position
Volunteered at
food bank
30 min
Karen Smith
Food Bank
Coordinator
Supervisor
Signature