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G lob al C i ti z e n s h i p
Laura Day—Director of Service Learning
The Hockaday service learning program seeks to develop in our students a sense of purpose and responsibility to contribute to the well-being of all in our community. The program goals are to foster empathy and an appreciation for a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, while providing the opportunity to do real work and develop real skills. We hope to instill a lifelong commitment to service and advocacy that fosters future leaders empowered to work towards social justice. We want our students of all grade levels to create meaningful relationships and conversations with all the communities in which we work and live.
Curriculum Tie-ins · The Lower School at Hockaday assigns a service learning theme to each grade level, on which they focus their learning and attention. The students learn about their themes in class, through reading, field trips, and handson activities. Pre-K appreciates Hockaday’s support staff, Kindergarten works with the elderly, First Grade focuses on animals, Second Grade respects the environment, Third Grade works to fight hunger, and Fourth Grade assists with children’s welfare. · The Middle School receives pre- and posteducational lessons about where their money is donated from the Holiday Bazaar and yearlong break sales. The student council gives presentations on different organizations and learns about the importance of philanthropy. · Different Upper School classes incorporate service work or advocacy into their daily hockaday magazine
activities. The junior health class teaches and advocates for health justice in low-income neighborhoods. Additionally, they teach lessons in local public schools and work on policy recommendations for neighborhoods dealing with health inequity.
Special Programs and Private/Public Collaboration · Upper School students participate in service immersion trips in West Dallas. On these trips, they stay overnight and help local families refurbish their homes. Reflection and education are a major focus of these trips. During the 2013-2014 school year, we will partner with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Children’s Garden at the Arboretum, and the Holocaust Museum to offer internships during the school year. Our Upper School students will train and serve as docents at the various local Dallas institutions. · Hockaday has partnered with Commit! (an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping Dallas County kids realize their full educational potential) to be effective and thoughtful about where our tutoring resources are best utilized. We will educate our students on the state of DISD schools, teach students the proper way to support literacy, and focus the 15,000 hours of service toward tutoring K-3 grade students to read at grade level by 3rd grade.