Service & Leadership
Service-Learning
At Holy Child, we foster compassion and social responsibility through service-learning. Inspired by our Foundress, Cornelia Connelly, our students engage in collections and outreach while learning about the needs of others, building empathy and preparing to take part in more hands-on service opportunities.
Guided by Cornelia Connelly’s call to “Actions, not Words,” our Service-Learning Program empowers students in Young Falcons through Grade 8 to grow as compassionate leaders, responsible citizens, and agents of change. Rooted in Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching, the program guides students from awareness to action through age-appropriate service, prayerful reflection, and meaningful engagement.
Our Service-Learning Activities
Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Patrician Society • Candy Collection for CandyCare Drive and PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs • Clothing Drive for Boot Up Philly • CASA Youth Advocates Advent Angel Project • Book Drive • Martin Luther King Jr. Morning of Service Bundles • Student-Driven "Read for the House" Fundraiser Benefitting Philadelphia's Ronald McDonald House • PreKindergarten Lemonade Stand Benefitting Alex's Lemonade Stand • Grade 8 Led Sports Equipment Collection for Leveling the Playing Field • Canned Food Drive Benefiting Mother of Mercy House • All-school Service Day Projects • And Divisional Service Projects that Change Year to Year
Leadership Opportunities
In all grades at Holy Child, there are myriad opportunities for us to instill the qualities and soft skills of leadership – self-confidence, public speaking, organization, compassion, empathy – in our students. It starts with a line leader in Early Childhood and progresses to Student Council, especially the honor of serving as Student Council co-presidents for two Grade 8 students.
We give students regular opportunities to speak in front of a group, to explain a project in class, to organize events, and to develop and present ideas and suggestions. Prayer services, school assemblies, and performances provide students with experiences to apply their leadership skills and grow in confidence.
Leadership in Action
Our younger students are encouraged through:
Collaboratively developing class rules
Addressing playground miscommunications
Solving issues that require discussion and compromise.
Leadership opportunities for older students expand to include:
Planning an event that involves the entire school,
Working through real world problems,
Collaborating to develop a solution or compromise,
Presenting ideas and answering questions, and
Voting or combining solutions for an agreeable resolution that honors the contributions of many.
Beyond these organic moments, direct experiences for children to grow as leaders include:
Planning and implementing grave-level and school liturgies,
Serving on student council,
Organizing school-wide recycling efforts, and
Organizing community service projects and fundraising events (i.e. Bake Sale, Dress Down Days)