Community service learning

 

The glasses project:A group of students realised that when new glasses are purchased, patients tend to throw the old pair away. But old glasses could be given a second life and could be worn by people in need in other countries. They first contacted The Red Cross who advised them to get in touch with the Lions club. They started collecting old glasses within the school; then they went to the optician shops.They gave the Lions club all the glasses collected and the president congratulated them for the good work done and their achievement. It was an invaluable present to those who do not live in an affluent society .The project had a positive impact on the students who had a greater sense of efficacy and moral development. It also improved their social responsibility and understanding of “the real world”. It made their relationship with the school better as they experienced greater satisfaction.

 

“Les restos du Coeur” project

 

“Les restos du Coeur”, the heart restaurants is an association dispatching food and toiletries to people in need. When the first restos opened during winter 1985-1986, 8,5 millions meals were distributed. In 2013-2014, 130 millions meals were served.

A group of students from Saint Pierre collected toiletries such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste and gave them to the Abbeville branch of “Les restos du Coeur”. They were amazed by the quantity they had managed to collect.The personal and social outcomes on the students were great. Some developed leadership and communication skills and some improved the ability to work well with others. They all showed a better involvement in community service and it helped them reduce social stereotypes. It even had a positive impact on academic outcomes such as problem analysis and problem-solving.

 

The Rotary club

 

The Rotary club has been committed to helping children and young adults in need all over the world. They reach thousands of youth everyday through a number of programs that help them grow into successful adults. In Sainte Marie primary school volunteers help children with their reading skills. In Notre Dame and Saint Pierre the Rotary works with the school to implement a program of reward and is often a partner on community service-learning projects. Those programs can improve achievement, lower rates of disciplinary or behaviour problems and eventually lower risk of dropping out of school.