Practicing Service Learning to Enrich the Lives of Our Students & the Community

By Terrial “Terry” L. Aiken, Director of Student Life, and Jessica Beaumont, Art, Gardening, Service Learning

We aspire to develop leaders who will leave HPFS and make a positive difference in our community and the world. We practice service and grow servant leaders who are good stewards of our environment and loving of our neighbors. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, service learning stands out as a beacon of holistic development. At HPFS, this practice goes beyond traditional academic boundaries. It includes, fostering an environment where students are not just learners but active contributors to improving their community.

HPFS students not only gain academic knowledge but also cultivate essential leadership skills and a deep sense of compassion for others. Through hands-on experiences, our students learn to navigate challenges effectively, and become catalysts for positive change. Through service-learning, HPFS has witnessed countless success stories. Stories where students excel academically and emerge as compassionate individuals dedicated to making an impact. Our stories shared with the school community and beyond, inspire others to embark on their own journey of service and personal growth.

We partner with community organizations to connect our students and teachers with real world opportunities to apply our values known as SPICES (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, stewardship) and curricular goals.  The service-learning program supports students in learning about an organization’s mission. Plus, how it makes a positive difference in our community. A terrific example of this is HPFS’s partnership with Sunnyside Ministries in Winston-Salem, NC. Sunnyside’s Mission is to provide hope through service, education and empowerment to those in need within our community.

In working with Sunnyside, students have service opportunities sorting clothing donations, portioning rice and beans from the food pantry, tending the Labyrinth Garden and more. Students also have a learning opportunity when using their Spanish speaking skills while working with families served by Sunnyside. This experience provides a mutually beneficial partnership. It is a year-long commitment to form a relationship that uses service-learning to empower students to contribute responsibly to our ever-changing world. This commitment starts on campus in Early School with partner organizations such as United Way where students participate in various partner projects like Santa for Seniors.

At HPFS our Kindergarten through 4th grade students continue their journey to become servant leaders. They do this by becoming involved in service projects. In addition, they create their own ideas for service learning. Traveling to local farms, our students are introduced to agriculture and learn the science of growing different types of food. This knowledge is then brought back to HPFS and used in science classes and the gardening program. There the students apply their skills in our school garden to grow a variety of vegetables that are harvested and donated to local food pantries. On campus our students use literacy in service learning to create projects like the Little Free Library. These Little Free Libraries build community and inspire readers. It ensures relevant books are accessible to everyone regardless of time, space, or privilege.

Developing servant leaders within our Middle School looks a little different. These students possess the ability to more fully appreciate the impact their work has on the community. Moreover, the impact it has on them as people who are making connections with their neighbors. Field trips to our coast and mountains offer students learning experiences to better understand the relationships between themselves and our environment. Plus, how their leadership can sustain positive change. At HPFS they participate in our recycling program, campus beautification, written notes for seniors, servicemen and women, and reading to their Kindergarten buddies.

What makes HPFS different and special? Service learning is not just an educational practice. It’s a transformative journey that enriches the lives of students and the community. By seamlessly integrating classroom knowledge, global perspectives, leadership skills, and community engagement, we nurture individuals who are not just academically adept but also socially conscious and compassionate. Regular and meaningful service learning in our local and global communities is intended to open students’ eyes to the broader world. In addition, it develops service as a habit of the heart. Thus, it challenges students to truly be loving of their neighbors. HPFS captures the essence of being A part of the community, not Apart from the community!