Social Action Program
The Social Action program is an
expression of the commitment of justice and
Christian service made by the Society of the
Sacred Heart. All Sacred Heart schools are
committed to Goal III, to educate to a social
awareness that impels to action. The Social
Action program at Stone Ridge helps students and
faculty realize this Goal by providing time,
opportunities, and guidance for service to
agencies and the needy in the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area. The program takes place every
other Wednesday for the full day as delineated
on the school calendar. Each Upper School
student must participate in all three components
of Social Action—learning, experience, and
reflection. At each grade level, students follow
a course of activities designed for them.
In the First Academic year, students are
prepared for field service during a year-long
orientation program. A faculty-Fourth Academic
student team provides the leadership in modules
of service which include: childcare and
elementary education, the mentally and
physically challenged, care and concern for the
elderly, poverty, and hospitals and healthcare.
In the Second Academic year, students work as a
class to explore themes of social justice and to
work on projects that put them in direct
connection with those areas of need.
In the Third Academic year, students take on
individual responsibilities with an organization
serving the needy. Students determine their
service sites and scope of responsibility
through discussion with the organizations being
served.
In the Fourth Academic year, students design and
implement a project which brings together their
learning and experience during the previous
years, along with their own intellectual and
spiritual gifts.
The Director of Social Action works closely with
members of the theology faculty, as well as
student life and campus ministry staff members,
in implementing the program.
Exchange Program
Students have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with other
Sacred Heart schools in the United States and abroad. Exchange is facilitated by
the common goals shared by Network schools and by personal bonds among the
faculty members and students.
The exchange program offers students an opportunity to broaden their horizons by
sharing in the life of another Sacred Heart school and experiencing the cultures
of other parts of their own country and of the wider world, including Canada,
England, Scotland, France, Spain, Austria, and Australia. The program aspires to
prepare students for living in the “global village” which is already their de
facto milieu. Exchange students follow courses chosen to approximate what they
would be taking at home, but they frequently find a course or program of
interest which is not available at Stone Ridge. They may live as resident
students when attending boarding schools or with host families in order to
attend day schools.
A student wishing to go on exchange should speak with the Assistant Head of the Upper School for Academic Life no
later than early in the semester preceding the one during which she would like
to go. The student must be in good academic standing with an average of B or
higher in all of her courses, and be known to be cooperative and able to be a
good representative of Stone Ridge.
Fourth Academic Internships
In May, Fourth Academic students participate in
the Alumnae-Fourth Academic Internship Program. Stone Ridge alumnae in the
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area offer the opportunity for the Fourth
Academic students to experience a job setting and meet professionals in a
particular field. The internship is a graduation requirement.
The Alumnae Office is responsible for planning and implementing this program.
The office assists each Fourth Academic student with an assessment of her
interests and abilities, contacts the supervisors from the designated list, and
places the student appropriately. The internship is a full-time commitment for
five days, or a normal 40-hour workweek. The student is responsible for
transportation to and from her site and appropriate dress for a work situation.
SCG Groups
The School Community Governance (SCG) operates through a set of groups intended
to build and maintain community at Stone Ridge. The governance system is based
on the principles of knowledge, fair distribution of responsibility,
self-government, learning for life, community, and self-expression.
The 2008-2009 SCG groups include:
-
Amnesty International
-
Animal Awareness
-
Callithump (literary magazine)
-
Cancer Cure
-
Center City Consortium (CCC)
- Culture Club
- E.S.C.A.P.E.
- Film and Drama
-
Gator Spirit
-
Gator Tots
-
Gators Against Poverty (G.A.P.)
- Gators for St. Jude's
- Giving Gators
-
Habitat for Humanity
- Harmony
- Halt Hunger!
-
Healthy Hints
- Heartsongs
- Heiffer Organization
-
It’s Academic
-
Operation Smile
-
Outreach
- Pet Central
-
Pro-Life
-
SADD
-
SAFE
- Water Aid
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