This Veteran’s Day Students Took Service to a Whole New Level

The students at St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Chicago have taken service projects to a whole new level. What once was collecting can goods for a local shelter has morphed into a school-wide Service Learning Project led entirely by the students. And this semester, the focus is on the bravery, courage, loyalty and selfless service of our military men and women.

“The students of St. Stan’s demonstrate personal leadership by continually striving to have a positive and lasting impact on others,” said Marjorie Hill, principal. “It is a mission we live on a daily basis, so taking our service project from the act of giving to learning why we give and the issues that surround those we give to, more closely aligns to who we are as a school community.”

This year’s project actually began last school year when students voted to focus their Service Learning Project on the United States Military. Faculty worked over the summer to incorporate the project into the everyday curriculum.

“The troops do a lot for our country.  We should work to support them and thank them for serving our country,” said Madelynn Hosch, a 6th grade student at St. Stan’s.

In the first phase of the project, students have learned about the characteristics that define our military. Students in K-2, for example, learned what it means to be courageous, and how this relates to the members of our military who serve as role models to many children.

Currently, students are in the second phase of the project where each learning level will study a different branch of the military, from its history to the ranks and careers within each branch. In the third and final phase of the project, students will identify an issue or challenge within the military where they can increase knowledge and awareness throughout the community and make measured change that is within their grasp.

Today, Veteran’s Day, the students showed their support to our military with a Veteran’s Day Celebration. Nearly 20 veterans and active military of our armed forces, including school family members, attended a reception and short prayer service beginning at 1:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria.  One student representative from each learning level spoke about the characteristic they studied as part of the Service Learning Project. Students then presented the veterans with gifts of thanks for their service to our country. The afternoon culminated with an all-school assembly lead by a featured active military member who recently returned from Kuwait.

St. Stanislaus Kostka School is dedicated to preparing young people for lives of excellence.  As a Catholic community, the faculty works with parents to encourage students to face challenges with confidence, to embrace diversity, and to transform the world. St. Stan’s serves children from preschool to eighth grade and is located at Division and the Kennedy expressway. For more information on St. Stan’s please call 773.278.4560 or visit us online at www.StStansChicago.org.