Service Learning Experiences - Academy Of The Sacred Heart (LA)

Service Learning Experiences & Philosophy

As a Child of the Sacred Heart, Preschool and Lower School students “help those in need” by participating in a variety of carefully scaffolded, developmentally appropriate and meaningful experiences.

Through intentional partnerships, faculty and staff design and facilitate service, service learning, and community engagement experiences. In doing so, children aged four through ten years old not only engage in service, but learn how to serve. And through these experiences, our children learn, most importantly, that serving is reciprocal: that our partners are our equals and that, as we serve, we learn from others and receive from others.

These opportunities help our students live out Goal IV, “Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value,” and our Global Education competencies, particularly, “Take responsible action that promotes peace and justice.”

Farmers Market

Each spring, second graders host a Farmers Market. This year-long project includes planting, growing, weeding, and harvesting basil, tomatoes, strawberries, and more. Students visit local gardens and markets including the New Orleans Farmers Market and Samuel L. Green School’s edible garden. Second graders investigate the world with intellectual curiosity and cultural literacy in preparation and in planning for hosting their own market where the Sacred Heart Community is invited.

In This Section

Community partnerships that are fostered and the relationships that are developed that bring the Preschool and Lower School community together with the larger community of New Orleans are the highlights of Preschool and Lower School experiences.

Partnerships include, but are not limited to, the New Orleans Public Library, Jefferson Parish Public Library, The National WWII Museum, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Lambeth House, The Laurel Senior Living, Xavier University, the Community Book Center and Project 826.

Lower School Service Learning Examples

Fourth Grade Snack Shack

The fourth grade Snack Shack allows students a fun and meaningful way to grow as leaders while making a real difference. By choosing organizations and donating the money they raise, students learn compassion, responsibility, and the power of working together for a cause. In the past, their efforts have supported organizations such as Team Gleason, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kids Join the Fight, and the Animal Rescue of New Orleans. Through this experience, students learn that even small acts can reach far beyond our community and touch the lives of those in need.

Amount Raised and Proceeds Distributed To:

2025 $1500 - to date
2024 $6000 Kids Join the Fight, St. Jude Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes
2023 $5800 Kids Join the Fight, Team Gleason, ARNO

Fourth Grade Smock Patrol

Smock Patrol allows fourth graders the opportunity to grow as leaders while taking on real responsibility. Each morning, fourth grade student greet students at the gate with a friendly smile and escort them to their designated areas, setting a positive tone for the day. Along the way, they often encounter unexpected situations that require quick thinking and good judgment. Through these experiences, the girls build confidence, learn problem-solving skills, and understand the importance of serving their school community.

Oral History Club

In the oral history club, students in third and fourth grade work together to identify topics and speakers for Sacred Heart’s Stories from the Heart oral history website. Stories from the Heart is a multi-year local history project that collects and organizes audio stories and related photographs from members of the New Orleans community through an online platform to share the rich social and cultural history of New Orleans, Louisiana and to elevate and preserve voices. Students become historians as they learn how to research, conduct interviews, actively listen, and analyze as they help community members speak up to tell their stories. Through the oral history process, students build intergenerational relationships as they help to preserve stories and learn about issues that are important to their community.

Second Grade Blessing Bags

Our students, grandparents, and special friends come together for a heartwarming community engagement project to assemble Blessing Bags for our unhoused neighbors. Each bag is filled with essential toiletries and small comfort items, thoughtfully packed to offer dignity, care, and a reminder that our community sees and supports those in need. This intergenerational effort not only provides meaningful help to others, but it also creates a special moment of connection, bringing together learners and loved ones to practice compassion in action. Together, we're spreading kindness one Blessing Bag at a time.

Sophie's Spirit

Sophie's Spirit is a dedicated club for third and fourth graders, offering a meaningful opportunity for both service and leadership. The primary responsibility of its members is to plan and lead weekly chapels for the preschool and lower school, actively serving their school community by helping them deepen their faith. Additionally, this hands-on ministry includes leading other significant spiritual events throughout the year, such as sharing prayers at special community events like "It's A Grand Day" and presenting engaging liturgical season Gospel plays, including presentations for the Feast of the Epiphany and Palm Sunday. Through this active participation, the members learn the value of giving back while becoming visible, spiritual role models for their peers.

Books from the Heart

In this four day community engagement program that takes place over the summer, students entering third and fourth grade learn about the importance of information and literacy as well as the need for access to books through visits to public libraries, an independent bookstore, a chain bookstore, an archive, and the Community Book Center. The students participate in a storytelling workshop and plan their own storytime including books to read, a craft or activity, and transitional songs and finger plays. On the final day of Books from the Heart, students ride our school bus-turned-Bookmobile to go into the community where they lead the storytimes for children and invite children onto the Bookmobile to select their own book to keep. Throughout Books from the Heart, students reflect on their experiences and understandings using a reflective journal.

Intergenerational Book Club

Sponsored by the Mater Campus Library, the Intergenerational Book Club brings fourth grade students and residents from the Laurel Senior Living home together to read and discuss books. Using discussion questions, the Intergenerational Book Club is designed to create cross-generational connections where two different age groups can speak to each other about a shared book and topic.

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