Knightly News

This week, Episcopal Middle and Upper School faculty and staff traded their laptops and classrooms for hard hats, gloves and nonprofits. As part of a service learning experience, more than 80 Episcopal educators spent time at the Sweet Olive Cemetery, IRIS Domestic Violence Center, Capital Area Animal Alliance, the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired and the Baton Rouge Wastewater Treatment Plant. Each group embraced the opportunity to learn more about the community and make a positive impact.

Service Learning Coordinator Ginny Barr says service learning is part of being a community of lifelong learners. “I hope everybody learned and experienced a new place or a new coworker,” she says of the recent faculty/staff outing. As teachers worked or reflected on the day, there was a renewed energy around service learning. They recognized the logistics required for volunteering. They also recognized ways in which they could continue to partner with these organizations. For example, the coaching staff, who spent the day at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, returned to campus with ideas to support the school’s athletic program and student athletes.

Planting Seeds

“Service learning is planting seeds,” says Barr. “Seeds of curiosity, empathy, understanding and a passion for change.” She hopes the recent experience inspired teachers to find meaningful ways to enhance classroom lessons with related service learning opportunities.  “I want to give teachers ideas to incorporate these experiences into the curriculum,” she says. Barr says it can be as simple as inviting a guest speaker to campus. For example, Upper School students who recently learned about angles heard from a local architect about building structures, such as ramps, at the right angle to ensure easy access and ADA compliance.

Barr also hopes that service learning helps adults and students make meaningful connections to each other and the greater community. “When you participate in these experiences, your heart widens, and you have empathy,” she says. She points to the Wastewater Treatment Plant visit, where teachers learned about the tremendous work done and the people who do it. Barr says such an experience helps participants better understand the system and its impacts on us all.  

Preparing Graduates

Service learning has always been a core component of the Episcopal experience as the school seeks to prepare graduates for college and purposeful lives. This year, the new Upper School Service Learning and Community Impact course provides an opportunity for students to delve deeper into service learning, its importance and why certain situations exist. Students say the course is empowering and inspiring as they learn more about the positive impacts one person or community can have.

Students participated in numerous service learning experiences this semester and represented their school well. Students helped at a variety of events, including the Southern University Livestock and Poultry Show, the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the Planting Seeds of Hope event and more. In addition, members of the Beta Club organized an on-campus service day. “Everything that I’ve taken students to do, they have enjoyed,” says Barr with a smile. “I’m grateful that I get to experience that.” Barr says students are excited and experience a sense of accomplishment as they reflect on the experiences.

Caring for the Community

“We all have a responsibility to care for and contribute to the betterment of our city, state and world, and as an Episcopal school, community service is an integral part of who we are,” says Head of School Dr. Carrie Steakley. Creating a service learning day for faculty and staff communicates the importance of service learning as part of the Episcopal experience. It also shows students that their teachers are participating in the same activities as students.

Going forward, Barr plans to continue providing meaningful opportunities for students and faculty/staff to connect with and care for the community. Thank you to everyone who participated in service learning experiences this year.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.