We believe that each person, through faith and service, ministers to one another, thereby building and supporting the community of faith at Bishop Kelly High School. You will find members of our community involved in service work seven days a week, and even over the summer vacation!

Jesus did not isolate Himself from His followers.  His mission was one of teaching, serving and living among the people.  Likewise, Jesus calls us to minister to our neighbors in the everyday passage of life.  In this way, we carry out God's message and manifest His love here on earth.  We are called not only to preach God’s love, but also to serve and minister.


What is Service Learning?

BK’s Service Learning seeks to move the classroom discussion of the personal and social components of Christian lifestyle into real life instances of service and ministry.  Service Learning is a gift of life, not simply a requirement for graduation.  It is a start of a lifetime's gift of self for others.  Service learning is an instance of education that brings the student to the community so he/she can experience living the principles and beliefs of their chosen Christian lifestyle.  The student is directed to service projects that promote works for justice and the promotion of peace.  It is an outreach program to the school community, as well as parishes and agencies around the Treasure Valley.

Service Learning is a chance for the Bishop Kelly student to respond to Jesus' call to feed, clothe, comfort, teach and help "the least needy of my brothers and sisters." (Matthew 25:31-46).  This call, repeated throughout history in the Church's teachings and documents, has always been generously practiced by the faithful in the Christian community. I t is now passed on to our students to carry out the work of Christ and contribute to building a better world for all.


Service Learning Program 2011-2012

Ten (10) hours of service learning per semester, twenty (20) per year, is the minimum requirement for underclassmen.  The theology teachers oversee this requirement.  Each grade level is called to a specific type of service.  Freshmen are encouraged to serve their families or neighbors; sophomores are encouraged to serve their religious communities; juniors are encouraged to serve in Bishop Kelly sponsored service projects.  Up to five hours of summer service may apply towards the underclass’ fall requirement.  Parents will be asked to validate that the service completed.  A reflection process to facilitate learning about the experience is also conducted by the theology teachers.
Service Log (PDF)

Congratulations to Chuck Tacke, who was chosen to receive the Marie D. Hoff Social Justice Award.  Each year, Catholic Charities of Idaho recognizes an individual, group, or organization that passionately seeks to call forth and engage people in transforming social structures that perpetuate injustice and poverty which, in turn, threaten family life and community well-being.  Mr. Tacke will be honored at the Catholic Charities even, Loaves and Fishes, on Saturday, February 4, 2011.

SENIOR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

We strongly believe that service to others is not something we “do”, but it becomes a part of who we are.  It is a requirement for graduation that seniors complete at least 30 hours of community service with one community agency and complete a reflection process. 

The program is designed to take the faith development offered to the student through the theology program one step further by helping the students to utilize their many gifts and talents to benefit the community in which they live.  The goals of the service learning agency placements are best served by concentrating one’s hours in a single agency or site. It is our belief that a focused experience achieves the best learning experience for the student.  The students have an opportunity to meet with service agencies from the Treasure Valley during the Service Learning Fair at the end of their junior year.  An agency contract must be completed by the last day of their junior year. The handbook below explains the entire process and assists students in completing the process.

Service Learning Handbook, Class of 2012 (PDF)

Please contact Gina Gailis, Service Learning Coordinator, with questions.


School Wide Service Projects

Annual Food Drive

Every fall, student campus ministers coordinate an all-school food drive. Students bring in non-perishable items to their second period class for several weeks in an effort to to help support the local Catholic Food Banks at Holy Apostles, Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, St. Mark’s, and St. John’s.  Statistics on local hunger issues are also highlighted to help students be aware of the hunger and poverty that exists right in front of us.  Many individuals and families are experiencing food insecurity in our local area, and Idaho has a growing hunger problem.

This year, our yearly Thanksgiving food drive, with St. Vincent DePaul, will begin with a kickoff at the November 2 all-school Mass.

More information on poverty and hunger:
Stand up against poverty facts (PDF)
Value of Development Index (PDF)

BK Legacy Garden