Service Learning

Saints Serve

Service projects at GSL allow students to gain a new perspective on the world around them. Learning the Formative Five character traits (grit, self-control, empathy, integrity, and embracing diversity) and modeling the Episcopal Church's convenant (to respect the dignity of every human being) supports a service focus very well.

At GSL students are encouraged to think about real world problems, have empathy for others, move to action, and reflect on their experiences. Regular projects at GSL include the annual schoolwide Food Drive led by fifth grade that benefits the Memphis Food Bank and Church Food Pantry, Socktober projects in second grade that benefit the needy, Heart to Art donations in first grade that benefit Le Bonheur, Christmas cards by students that are sent to our local police station, art cards for retirement communities by Preschoolers, an eighth grade campus service day the last week of school, and more.

Service learning is an evolving area at GSL and one that we are excited to expand in the future. Read more below for some of our current project work.

Giving to Others

Giving Back

Volunteerism focuses on the desire to donate time and energy for the benefit of other people in our community. The goal is to instill in our children social responsibility without the expectation of recognition or reward.

1st Grade Art to Heart

When: February

What: For this art materials drive benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, first graders collect markers, crayons, colored pencils, water colors, stickers sheets, coloring books and more, and make a special trip to Le Bonheur to deliver their gifts.

8th Grade Day of Service

When: Last week of school

What: As a way to give back to GSL before they graduate, 8th graders are divided into groups and deployed around campus to tackle a variety of tasks, such as gardening and planting flower beds, cleaning the buses, repainting walls in shared spaces, organizing snack and concession bars, and much more.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects an estimated 1 in 8 children in America. By learning about food insecurity, GSL students gain empathy for others and learn how to help those in need.

5th Grade Canned Food Drive

When: November

What: Fifth grade leads the entire school by promoting and organizing a canned food drive benefiting the Grace-St. Luke's Church food pantry and the Memphis Food Bank.

Poverty

Poverty

By understanding the concept of poverty, students begin to have empathy for others in need.

2nd Grade Socktober

When: October

What: During the month of October, second grade hosts Socktober, a lower-school wide sock drive typically collecting more than 800 pairs of socks. Socktober has benefited the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Constance Abbey, and the Memphis Juvenile Courts, among other organizations.

Caring for the Environment

Caring for our Earth

Using our Episcopal identity as a foundation, students are encouraged to care for and support God’s green Earth. In addition to a schoolwide Earth Day celebration in the spring, we begin to reinforce this message as early as we can with our youngest students.

Little Lukers Feeding the Birds

What: The youngest GSL students learn to support the environment by creating bird feeders to be placed around the school and community.

Curriculum: After reading a variety of books and talking about different birds and their needs during the spring, they use their creative skills to make bird feeders that will provide food for our feathered friends.

Elderly

Reaching out to the Elderly

We connect our Formative Five traits within our curriculum by reaching out to the residents of nursing and retirement communities with cards and notes at different times during the year. This gives our Preschoolers the opportunity to share their caring hearts in service to others.

PK Cards and Artwork

When: Throughout the school year around holidays (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter)

What: PKers spread holiday cheer and goodwill throught the year to residents at various nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Memphis.