In March 2007, Today's Catholic Teacher proudly announced the 2007 recipients of the Catholic Schools for Tomorrow Award for Innovations in Education.
The award annually honors 12 Catholic elementary and secondary schools that have
led the way by implementing exemplary, innovative programs to improve the teaching and learning of their students, faculty, and staffs.
And Who Is My Neighbor?
This question, posed by the self-righteous man in the Gospel as a way of testing Jesus, can be a great tool for teaching Social Justice to our children today. The students at Immaculate Conception School in Levittown, Pennsylvania have discovered this by reaching out to many groups through various tangible activities centering on this theme.
At the very heart of their efforts is the school Peace Program focused on some basic principles of social justice which challenge students to develop the mind and heart of Jesus through the practice of specific monthly virtues. Classroom teachers explain the meaning of a particular one and certain practices which will enable children to develop it. At Morning Prayer students pray a short aspiration related to this virtue and are encouraged to pray it frequently during the day that month. One student from each class is then recognized at the First Friday Liturgy for having best demonstrated growth in this virtue by word or action. Each child receives and proudly wears a Peace Medal for the following month.
Over the years, Student Council officers have recognized the need to underscore the importance of reaching out to those who are less fortunate. They have requested that each class also elect a Mission Representative who will meet monthly with the Mission Moderator to determine various outreach activities. At these meetings they together decide where the monthly Mission Money will be sent. The children demonstrate their awareness of the plight of others nationwide, by the suggestions they make. Monetary donations have been sent to hurricane victims as well as to the Amish community which recently experienced such a devastating tragedy. In addition, donations also have taken the form of collected canned goods for local food banks and shelters for women and children.
With the influx of Mexican students in the past two years, students have been guided by the administration and faculty to provide a welcoming atmosphere for them. Teachers have used this happening as a learning opportunity to teach appreciation of, and respect for this rich culture and its significant place in the future of the Church in America.
Another favorite activity that doesn't require collecting, but rather a sharing of time and talent, is that of adopting parish shut-ins. Each class “adopts” two or three shut-ins and writes to these parishioners monthly, telling them of the school activities taking place and letting them know they are remembered in that class’ prayers. A small group visits them at Christmas and Easter, bringing a small remembrance from the class.
During the Lenten season, the school also participates in the Columbian Mission Education Program, designed to help children “understand the missionary dimension of our call to faith.” To create an awareness of modern day missionary work and all that it accomplishes, each class chooses a country and is introduced to peoples of different cultures and lands, their customs, lifestyles, and levels of poverty. The people are remembered in prayer during Lent, and the money donated during this time from the entire school is sent to one of the countries.
This year, the IC School Community was rewarded for past efforts in reaching out to others by being given the opportunity to welcome into their building and parish life Archangels’ Academy, an Archdiocesan Special Education Program serving children with cognitive disabilities. Each Academy student has an IC “buddy” to sit with at liturgies, assemblies, and special activities shared by both schools. Their presence in the building is a gift, helping the children recognize how special each person is, no matter what their gifts and talents.
Indeed, the answer to the question, “And who is my neighbor?” has come alive for our students in each of these experiences.
Immaculate Conception School