Juan Diego Week of Service 2019

For the third year in a row, Juan Diego Catholic High School sent a team of capable seniors to complete a week of service at Guadalupe School. Each year, Juan Diego seniors choose a local charitable organization to assist for one week, instead of going to school. The kids practice leadership and team skills, and learn about the various issues facing communities that are being combatted through the collaborative efforts of organizations and their supporters. 

In the past, Juan Diego seniors have run week-long reading camps, organized our second-hand uniform store, and created skits with 6th grade leaders for the back-to-school assembly. This year, they worked hand in hand with one of our learning resource directors to provide students with individualized tutoring while working on academic worksheets. The seniors also spent a lot of time in classrooms, ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade, assisting teachers and students in any way they needed. This year the back-to-school assembly did not take place during the week Juan Diego students were on campus; however, the seniors still took it upon themselves to create a fun educational video with 6th grade leaders, and then to present in each charter school classroom about personal academic experiences and professional aspirations. 

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Guadalupe teachers and staff were very impressed with the seniors and their willingness to help. Guadalupe's social worker remarked that the value of the high school students' time was not only that they helped with a variety of classroom and tutoring tasks, but also that they were positive role models for Guadalupe students. Kids at Guadalupe are constantly being encouraged to work to graduate from high school, and to aspire to higher education as well. Seeing older youth who value school, are applying to college, and have big dreams for future careers is something that many Guadalupe students will never forget. Thank you Juan Diego! ​