The seventh and eighth graders at St. Nicholas School, Kinsley, have jumped into the role of "service" for themselves and others.

New to the curriculum this school year, each student is required to fulfill a total of 20 hours in four categories, including family, school, church, and community. Family service can involve setting the table, babysitting a younger sister, or shopping with a grandparent. This category seems to be the easiest for students, since daily chores can be charted as hours.

School service involves doing anything above and beyond normal requirements at or for school (sorry, homework doesn’t count!), such as cleaning the windows, setting up tables for special events, or helping teachers with bulletin boards.

Under the category of Church service, students can count each hour they participate in a weekend Mass serving, reading, ushering, or even greeting. Also, volunteering at religion class, cleaning the church or helping Father will count!

Finally, the most challenging category is probably community service. Several times this school year we have gone to visit residents at the Medicalodge; we’ve helped at the Chili Supper in January or at a parent’s workplace; we’ve volunteered at the grocery store; and anything else that is beyond your own selfishness in serving.