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Community Service

The rationale for the Mission and Ministry's Ignatian Service Program at St. Joseph's Prep is rooted in the belief of St. Ignatius that "love is shown in deeds rather than in words." We invite our students to become "men for others" by educating their minds and hearts to horizons beyond their previous experience and into the world beyond the world they know.  Through their service, we hope the students will become aware that they receive much more than they give: that when they become healers, they themselves are healed; when they give companionship, they themselves receive companionship; when they uplift and encourage, they themselves are uplifted and encouraged; and when they enlighten, they are themselves enlightened. Recognition by all of our students that God is present in all things, all people and all situations.

Out of the Darkness Walk 10/3/21

Our first Prep Hockey Service Event of the 2021 Hockey Season was the "Out of the Darkness Walk” with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  The walk took place on Sunday, 10/3/21 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The walk is all about drawing attention to mental health awareness, offering resources for help, and honoring loved ones.  Prep Hockey was proud to support such an important mission.

Prospect Park Library 10/23

Our next service opportunity takes place at the Prospect Park Library on October 23rd. For more information and to register, please contact Maggie Simmonds - maggiesimmonds1@gmail.com

November 13 Service Event Canceled

The Prospect Park Library Service Event scheduled for November 13 has been canceled.  The library event is now taking place virtually, so no physical set up is required.  Thanks to all the players  who signed up to volunteer for this worthwhile effort.

Prep Hockey: Tutor Your Teammates

Since hockey is a long season, it is easy for players to get overwhelmed with school and hockey, plus the academic demands at the Prep, and fall into academic difficulty. Players and parents should check grades regularly and a player should see his teacher and/or counselor if he is having difficulty with a subject.

Prep hockey is continuing its “Tutor Your Teammates” service initiative to provide additional support to teammates who are having difficulty with a class. In addition, UPenn has graciously provided areas for players to complete homework, including group work/tutoring/quiet study, after school on Mondays and Wednesdays for players who have the second ice slot.

Study Area at UPenn Rink for Players who have the second ice slot. Players waiting to take the ice on the second ice slot should complete homework in the spaces that UPenn is making available for our players. All players should use these spaces to complete school work rather than balancing books on their knees in the locker room. These spaces can be used for tutoring, completion of individual assignments and/or group study.

The primary purpose of the “Tutor Your Teammates” program is for players to support each other with academics, to “catch up” due to absence from school (for club games, illness, etc.), or to provide additional support with homework as supplemental help in addition to support being provided by teachers/counselors.

If a player feels he needs extra help, the “Tutor Your Teammates” program will be available for support.

Parents are welcome to “volunteer” their son for tutoring if grades in Power School indicate a concern.
To participate in this initiative, students need to contact Susan Custer or Maggie Simmonds to let us know you would like tutoring and we will work to provide you with a tutor.

Tutors willing to volunteer need to also sign up with us so players can be “matched up” for help.

Brian McCloskey, our club moderator, will monitor grades and students who may be academically ineligible will be reported to Coach Giacomin who will inform the student and suggest a combination of extra help from teachers/teammates.

 

Hockey Parents: we are looking for one or two parent volunteers who would like to help coordinate the Tutoring Program.  No experience necessary - we will train.  Please contact Susan Custer or Maggie Simmonds if you would like to play an important (yet not too time-consuming or taxing) role in the Prep Hockey program.  Thanks for considering being a volunteer and overseeing the hockey tutoring  program!