Reconsidering Community Service

Nov 06, 2019, 11 smiles [Volunteer hours have been a longstanding graduation requirement at many high schools, but does it really tap into the spirit of service? SF Waldorf High recently removed the requirement, and this proposal, the basis for that decision, explains why.] "Love is higher than opinion. If people love one another the most varied opinions can be reconciled — this is one of the most important tasks for humankind today and in the future: that we should learn to live together and understand one another. If this human fellowship is not achieved, all talk of development is empty." —Rudolf Steiner Why do we ask the students to do community service? What is the pedagogical intention behind the request? Certainly, we are hoping to awaken our students to the world around them in a very real way that involves putting thought into action: doing something. To the degree the students devote themselves to work ... Read Full Story