How to plan a service celebration

This is a photof of me kicking off a PreK-12 Service Celebration at Concordia International School Shanghai a few years ago. In the back of the space, you can see electronic boards and tables; each service experience had its own display space and students were able to share what they learned from service as action with peers, educators and parents.

Cover image: Photo by Ambreen Hasan on Unsplash

As you approach the last quarter of the year, I’d love to share some ideas about how to plan a service celebration to showcase what’s happening at your school and build increased momentum and a common vision for service learning in your community.

When I was the service learning coordinator at Concordia International School Shanghai, I started the tradition of an end-of-semester service celebration in May each year, and it was a wonderful way to bring members of our PreK-12 community together to share and honour service experiences from the academic year. It also allowed the students more opportunities for reflection and leadership as they talked with peers, teachers, school leaders, and parents about what they had done and learned.

For those service celebrations, we featured a keynote speaker and then a gallery exhibition where students set up table displays about their service learning experiences and guests had a chance to walk around and talk with students. At the end of the evening, we would close with an announcement congratulating the students for their actions and impact.

Each year the service celebration gained momentum and it became a way to generate even more interest in authentic service learning and active global citizenship.

Mel Pubil, the Service Learning Coordinator at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi, also plans a service celebration at her school. She ran her first service celebration in the spring of 2023, and I recently interviewed her about the event (she includes a Ted Talks-style presentation space and even more opportunities for parents to engage in activities throughout the celebration).

Check out my interview with Mel for inspiration; you have time to plan a stellar service celebration in May!

If you have any questions about how to plan something like this, shoot me an email (leeanne@leeannelavender.com); I would love to ideate with you!