Knightly News

What do beans, squash and Egyptian hieroglyphics have to do with service learning?

At Episcopal, service learning is more than simply checking a box. Service projects are about learning, and most projects are connected to the curriculum, allowing students to process what they’ve learned while making a positive impact on their world. This semester, students are studying beans, squash and hieroglyphics, and Service Learning Coordinator Kristina St. George is developing ways to connect those lessons to service learning experiences.

St. George draws on her many years in the classroom to plan meaningful service learning opportunities. For example, she’s working with fifth grade social studies teacher Dana Kahn to organize an experience that connects to the students’ study of Native Americans. Fifth graders will learn about the Three Sisters gardening practice of planting corn, beans and squash together. Native Americans used this companion planting method to create a healthy ecosystem and feed their communities. Episcopal students will write and illustrate instructions for planting a Three Sisters garden and give those instructions and seeds to someone as a Thanksgiving surprise. St. George says the experience will also emphasize the importance of caring for the earth.

St. George is also working with Middle School social studies teacher Virginia Day to plan a project to help students connect topics from ancient Egypt to modern-day organizations. For example, as students study Nile River flooding, they’ll make connections to the Cajun Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. Eventually, students will create an Egyptian stelae or campaign poster to educate others on what they’ve learned.

Students in this semester’s Service Learning and Community Impact course are also organizing a service learning project. After learning about the needs of area animal shelters and hearing from Episcopal parent and Executive Director of Companion Animal Alliance, students are launching a towel and blanket drive for shelter animals. Students will collect donations in the carpool circle, front lawn and back parking lot on October 5th during carpool and arrival and during the Blessing of the Animals. The towels and blankets will be given to CAA to help with local shelter animals. In addition, St. George’s sixth grade religion class recently volunteered at the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry. At the pantry, students sort and stock items, learn more about the services offered and “shop” in the market as if they were feeding a family.

St. George says service learning comes in many forms, including advocacy, awareness, connection and education. “Service learning gets students thinking about other people, the world around them, and how they can make a positive difference,” she says. With years of lesson-planning experience, St. George excels at providing students with options that match their strengths while customizing projects to teachers’ needs.

Episcopal Upper School students are required to participate in one on-campus service experience and two off-campus service experiences each year. Not all of these experiences are directly connected to the curriculum. Each year, Episcopal teams up with Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s Academy for a youth Habitat for Humanity build. New this year, Upper School students are also invited to Episcopal Night at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to sort and package food together in what is sure to be a community building experience.

St. George truly enjoys working with students and says they take the experiences seriously and represent the school well. Much goes into preparing students for these experiences, with St. George and the other adult volunteers explaining the “why” behind each project before students participate. In addition, St. George brings in experts to reinforce the importance of each activity. Last year, representatives from the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry presented to students, and this year, students have already heard from the Habitat for Humanity CEO and the Companion Animal Alliance Executive Director.

St. George looks forward to finding new and creative opportunities for students to learn through service. She encourages students to contact her if they are interested in participating.

Upcoming Service Learning Experiences:

Saturday, October 3rd
Habitat for Humanity Youth Build

Monday, October 5th
Donate Towels/Blankets for Companion Animal Alliance

Wednesday, November 4th
Episcopal Upper School Night at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank

November 16-20
Annual All-School Food Drive for Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 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.