REAL: Advocate for Access to a Socially Just Education
(LMU Conceptual Framework, 2009)
HOW SMS STUDENTS ARE AGENTS FOR CHANGE
As an advocate for justice, it is important to teach students to be aware of the issues at hand and empower them to be contributors to society. One way that our school shows solidarity with others is through special fundraisers.
When the earthquake hit Haiti, we sponsored an event called “Hats for Haiti.”
The students paid one dollar to wear a hat to school.
We have also supported a program called “Get on the Bus.”
This supports children whose parents are incarcerated. The Get on the Bus program provides transportation to and from the prison so children may visit their mother or father who is incarcerated. This year, we held a fundraiser called “Pay for Privilege” to support this program. Students paid a fixed fee to dress out of uniform (i.e., pay one dollar to wear jeans, fifty cents to wear nail polish, etc.).
Other programs that have encouraged students to be advocates for justice include Holy Childhood Association and supporting missions and donating money to the Catholic Education Foundation. By donating money to the Catholic Education Foundation, our students at St. Mary’s support other students who cannot afford a Catholic education. Their donations provide money for scholarships so that students may attend a Catholic school.
The important aspect of advocacy is the dual commitment of building awareness and acting upon this awareness to bring about social change. In doing so, students live and contribute to a more just world.
When the earthquake hit Haiti, we sponsored an event called “Hats for Haiti.”
The students paid one dollar to wear a hat to school.
We have also supported a program called “Get on the Bus.”
This supports children whose parents are incarcerated. The Get on the Bus program provides transportation to and from the prison so children may visit their mother or father who is incarcerated. This year, we held a fundraiser called “Pay for Privilege” to support this program. Students paid a fixed fee to dress out of uniform (i.e., pay one dollar to wear jeans, fifty cents to wear nail polish, etc.).
Other programs that have encouraged students to be advocates for justice include Holy Childhood Association and supporting missions and donating money to the Catholic Education Foundation. By donating money to the Catholic Education Foundation, our students at St. Mary’s support other students who cannot afford a Catholic education. Their donations provide money for scholarships so that students may attend a Catholic school.
The important aspect of advocacy is the dual commitment of building awareness and acting upon this awareness to bring about social change. In doing so, students live and contribute to a more just world.
THE INFLUENCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
In the month of January, students were asked to write essays on peace. With the writing prompt How can I be a peacemaker? in mind, the students came up with their own ideas and thoughts about bringing peace to the world. Their reflections on peace bring them a step closer towards a just world. They practice real and reasonable ways to be a peacemaker.
ADVOCATES FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
During Red Ribbon Week, the students made a pledge to remain drug free. Their commitment to this pledge demonstrates how they are standing up against the pressures of secular society. They become advocates for a healthy lifestyle by respecting their bodies.
PROMOTING MESSAGES OF JUSTICE AND PEACE
T-shirts are a great way to advertise! Students promote justice, love, and peace on their illustrated shirts to advertise their mission to be advocates for a just world.