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 2010-2011

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)


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 2011 (PDF)

Please contact Jan Siron, 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)

Mexico Service Immersion Trip

Since 1999, Bishop Kelly High School has been offering a summer service immersion experience in Mexico through the Los Embajadores Program based in Portland, OR.  The Catholic, non-profit Los Embajadores, which began taking young people for an encounter with Christ with the people of Mexico in the 1980’s, continues to provide opportunities for service-learning experiences centered around five principles:  Community, Spirituality, Service, Solidarity and Social Justice.

The Los Embajadores program is grounded in service work, but it moves beyond manual labor to provide a holistic experience.  The work we do serves as a conduit for building relationships with the Mexican people, learning how to form a supportive and interdependent community, and gaining a firmer understanding of the social justice issues that underlie poverty.

Groups in Vicente Guerrerro work with the Franciscans at Cristo Rey Parish helping to further their mission by working on constructing chapels, a building for classes, and other facilities in the area.  Cristo Rey is also home to a Novitiate for Franciscans in formation.  Our typical project is leveling the ground, building forms, and pouring concrete.  The community supports us by working with us, preparing meals, and in general offering warm and welcoming hospitality.  This location supports an indigenous population whose only mode of transportation is by walking.

Juniors apply to be a part of the team that travels to Vicente Guerrerro, Mexico, the summer before their senior year. Traditionally the group has consisted of 25 students and 5 BK faculty, staff or parents.  The 2008 Trip on June 2-8 and 9-15 took two groups, allowing 47 students and 11 adults to participate.

Please see the Los Embajadores website, for more specific information.

The group participates in fundraisers to cover the cost of the trip and to provide the necessary funding to help with the materials needed for the projects.

For more information on this experience, please contact Trip Coordinator, Jan Siron.