Last week, I wrote that spring is the season of renewal and hope. I am hopeful that this is a time of year when our students (with the help of their families and SOCSD staff) will reexamine their personal and academic goals. As part of this self-reflection, I would encourage each of our students to consider how community service, or “service towards others” fits into their overall life-plan (younger students may need assistance from an adult with this exercise, but it really is never too early to establish the practice of goal setting and “perspective taking”).
When young men and women are encouraged to “step outside of themselves” and consider how their actions may impact upon the lives of others in a positive way, each can strengthen his or her own sense of “collective self.” This is important since most children are developmentally predisposed towards a strong sense of their “individual selves” …that’s a good thing – we want students who will have a strong sense of their own identity who can be uniquely vital to the world. Beyond this, however, community service can improve how our students connect to the world around them, and put into action what it truly means to be an American and a global citizen.
Most, if not all, of our fifth grade students at Cottage Lane Elementary School can recite the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and each understands how aspiring towards the “common good” can influence society. In this context, here are the benefits of community service as framed by our Founders:
- Development of collaborative problem-solving skills (vital in today’s workplace and society towards forming a more perfect union – both global and domestic).
- A society where people have a shared responsibility towards justice and domestic tranquility.
- Protection from harm and a feeling of safety – through the common defense of all its nation’s people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or identity.
- Communities that are stronger and healthier (where people value and promote each other’s general welfare).
- The blessings of liberty are secured, not just for ourselves, but also for future generations.
If you would like to know more about how to include service to others as part of a healthy lifestyle for you and your family, please visit The Corporation for National and Community Service’s website at: http://www.nationalservice.gov/ .
