What Is A Good Community Service Project For A High School Swim Team

January 18, 2017 – 3 students from the Convent of the Sacred Center school shared their personal stories of community service with our Parents Commission, illustrating how a strong collaboration with a school can atomic number 82 to robust student-led service opportunities that benefit the educatee volunteers as much as they do LSA children and families. The students – all seniors – have been involved for several years in CASA (an later on-school art plan at LSA), H.E.A.R.T. Swim Program, and H.E.A.R.T. Summer Programme.

Our Parents Committee, which has been exploring means high schoolhouse students can be involved with customs service at LSA, was thoroughly impressed and inspired by these community service stars!

Below are their stories in their own words.

CSH Swimming

Alessandra: H.E.A.R.T. [Health, Education, and Responsible Tools] Swim Plan

Afterwards 406, the athletic facility, was completed at the beginning of my sophomore twelvemonth, the H.E.A.R.T Swim Program was developed to teach underprivileged kids to learn how to swim. There were originally about x boys and girls from ages 4 to 12 attending these swim lessons every Saturday from 12 to ane pm, and they were coached by a few members of our Varsity Swim Team. When I first met these children, I understood even ameliorate how lucky and blessed I have been throughout my life, and it gave me a reality check. The beauty of this swim program is that while we are constantly looking for new students to join, the same grouping of children has been participating since the first, and I've been able to develop close relationships with many of them. I look forward to seeing their bright smiles and cheery dispositions on the pool deck as I spotter each of them fall in love with the sport that has been such a transformative part of my life.

I've witnessed this drastic modify in all my swimmers after iii years, but especially in Evelyn. At first, this swimmer struggled with developing the proper stroke techniques. I would notice that she'd feel overwhelmed by the other girls who had already mastered the basics. Now, three years subsequently, Evelyn is effortlessly swimming laps in all iv strokes. I can see her brilliant grin from across the pool deck every fourth dimension she finishes another ready. Her positivity keeps the rest of my group motivated, and her progression from a timid swimmer to a determined young daughter is truly admirable.

The children that were too scared to dip their head under the h2o are now diving off the blocks and obsessed with swimming every stroke, especially butterfly. They learn from each other and are developing valuable skills at a young historic period that they wouldn't take otherwise. I am still a volunteer for the H.E.A.R.T program, and I take watched information technology flourish. Just a few weeks ago, nosotros started a 2d programme on Saturdays because of the success that emerged from the first ane. The number of participants continues to grow as more children are having the chance to utilize the Sacred Heart puddle.

This has been a rewarding experience for me as an instructor because I've gained a deeper appreciation for the sport I've pursued wholeheartedly throughout high school. At present, every bit helm of the Varsity Swimming Squad, whenever I hear a teammate groan about plunging into the pool at the crack of dawn, I remind them how much we dearest this sport and how fortunate we are to exist able to push our concrete and mental limits in a safe environment. Education swimming has taught me that the best way to requite dorsum to my customs is to share the things I love most.

Emily: CASA (Children'south After School Studio Arts)

I began CASA when I was in 8th grade hither at Sacred Center and used it as a ways to both help me transition to my new school, since I arrived in seventh grade, but also to give back to my cultural community. Nosotros used to agree CASA classes here at Sacred Heart and focused mainly on ceramics and clay. At present, every Tuesday, 3-four student teachers go upwards to Little Sisters of the Assumption in Harlem and teach unproblematic schoolhouse students, ages half-dozen-8, different fine art techniques and projects.

Although LSA recently lost some funding for the arts, they received a grant that allowed us to expand the programme from what was originally only 6 kids to about 12-16 students. It immune us to accept a bigger infinite and have more room for the activities. Nosotros go out at 3:30 and return by v:xxx the latest. We create the curriculum and actually go a chance to get leaders in our community.

I love CASA considering I am able give dorsum to students who are in the aforementioned position I was a few years ago. I used to go to public schoolhouse and wasn't exposed to the different materials and fine art supplies we take here. I am able to share resource that nosotros take for granted. Every fourth dimension nosotros brainstorm the semester with watercolors, I am surrounded by confused faces because many of the children have never even seen watercolors earlier.

I specifically remember one little boy named Ian. He was very shy at first and struggled with agreement some of my instructions considering his first language was Spanish. I was able to remove the language barrier and make him comfortable by speaking to him in Spanish and asking if he needed any assistance. Ian wasn't familiar with watercolors and I remember telling him not to soak the paintbrush too much in water and to collect more paint on the brush for more pigment. He became one of my strongest students. Information technology reminded me that many times underprivileged students in the public school arrangement don't take the tools and resources to discover their talents and reach their fullest potential. I savour giving these students a identify to be creative and express themselves. These lilliputian things take made me stay and atomic number 82 CASA for so long.

Agnes: H.E.A.R.T. Summer Program

For the past two summers I take participated in the H.E.A.R.T summer program, a program for kids by and large from E Harlem to help them larn about new academic—yet fun—things, and about how to eat a healthy diet, started by our very ain Mr. Chung. Our job is to provide them with the tools to explore and discover new experiences, giving them the opportunity to larn not only new things, mostly, but new things about themselves.

This by summer was our sixth year, and I was fortunate to be able to teach a music class every bit well as existence one of the atomic number 82 swim instructors. Information technology was of import for me to brand sure that they were enjoying swim form not simply for fun but also for the betterment of their health. We learned different strokes, had races, and there were even a few kids who were learning how to swim for the very first time. 1 boy, Irving was afraid to actually even impact the pool water the outset twenty-four hour period. Within a little nether a month, he was pond upward and downward the pool.

In my music grade, I was able to teach the kids virtually basic music theory, including different types of notes, rhythm, etc. We even wrote our own melodies! We also learned about dissimilar genres and composers, and prepared six or 7 songs, that were gear up to perform for our last celebration.

My favorite role of the H.E.A.R.T program was our cease of the year commemoration. I saw how happy the children were to be showing the work they had washed for their families. HEART is non just about education or community, it's almost spreading dearest. I'one thousand then excited to run into where it will go.