Twenty-two years ago, we initiated the direction and originated the model of Fieldston's present Community Service Program. Simultaneously we developed what came to be the extensive Community Service Fair model which was adopted by private and public schools nationwide. The newly re-directed program made it possible to do our ethics work rather than merely theorize about it. Work in service to others has long been a tradition in the Ethical Cultural Schools. The Ethical Culture Schools, Riverdale, a Manhattan neighborhood, a home for older adults, a Westchester town, or a hospital.
Service means a contribution to the welfare of others and is often unpaid.
Both kinds of service are worthy, and are for community service credit. Students receive credit for answering the telephone at an emergency food distribution center but will not receive credit for telephone answering at a retail shop. The organization should be clearly non-profit. Even helpful jobs, such as managing a team or serving on a stage crew, which may have many social, educational or otherwise positive extracurricular values, do not earn credit. In order to aid students in their search for appropriate placements the Community Service office serves as a referral agency for volunteer student placements.