Community Activities

Sacramental Opportunities

SHC celebrates as an inclusive community of faith with a variety of Eucharistic liturgies, reconciliation services and prayer services throughout the year coordinated by the Community Life team, the Student Liturgy Committee, the chorus and the Jubilee Choir.

Lasallian Vincentian Youth

Sponsoring experiences of faith, service and community, Lasallian Vincentian Youth is a unique program for students to explore their faith, meet new friends and develop a deep sense of community through active experiences of service. After-school tutoring, visiting the elderly and homeless outreach are among the regular volunteer opportunities offered. Other activities include a clothing giveaway, a spring community lunch to benefit our homeless brothers and sisters, a Core Team leadership retreat and regional Lasallian Vincentian Youth gatherings.

Charitable Drives

Several student-led charitable drives raise thousands of dollars annually and help provide supplies that directly benefit underserved communities in San Francisco, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Eritrea and other places around the globe.

SHC’s on-campus Lasallian Vincentian Youth organization sponsors ongoing programs such as the Homeless Van Outreach; food bank visits; and annual Summer Assembly regional gatherings in places like Yakima, Washington and Mexico.

• Clothing Drive: In the fall, SHC collects donations for St. Anthony Foundation, located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. St. Anthony Foundation has myriad outreach vehicles, including a medical clinic, a dining room, HIV testing facilities, drug and alcohol counseling and a free clothing and housewares store. Due to the current economic crisis, donations have been low; as a result, their clothing store is nearly bare. The Community Life Team and Lasallian Vincentian Youth (LVY), along with the girls’ volleyball team, organized last year’s clothing drive to respond to the needs of our citywide community.
• Blood Drive: Each year students, faculty, staff and all members of our community are given the opportunity to help save the lives of those who need it the most. Donated blood is sent to various hospitals to help with surgeries, transplants and other medical procedures.
• Season of Giving Drive: One of the greatest gifts we can give during the holiday season is the gift of choice, dignity and respect to our underserved neighbors in San Francisco. Students and families are encouraged to bring in donations or gift cards for the Season of Giving. These donations turn into gift cards to Old Navy, Ross, Safeway and Target. With the aid of gift cards families are able to choose and purchase their own gifts for their families. Gift cards are given to the families of De Marillac Academy and Hamilton Family Center. If one chooses, baby clothes and educational toys can also be brought in for the families at Mt. St. Joseph St. Elizabeth Center, a Daughters of Charity organization that aids young, unwed mothers.
• Change for our World: Our Lenten almsgiving drive focuses on St. Joseph’s, the De La Salle Christian Brothers school in Eritrea, Africa and the Daughters of Charity global efforts. Students are encouraged to donate their loose change, recognizing that even the smallest of change contributes to global change across the world.

Sports in Action

Sports in Action further integrates community service, prayer, faith development and community building into the life of the school. This program invites athletic teams to create and sponsor service projects where student-athletes learn to use their gifts and talents for others in meaningful ways to our community and themselves.

Schoolwide Initiatives

Each year our Catholic high school supports a variety of projects and people both locally and globally. We aim to create a calendar that is flexible enough to respond to crisis and need (e.g., earthquakes, wildfires, floods), while allowing students and families time and space to give through prayer, specific goods and time. Since the Walkathon is our only schoolwide fundraiser that is specifically for the SHC community, schoolwide initiatives allow all members in our community to respond to our greater community.

Dances

SHC is known for fun-filled, spirited student dances that occur throughout the year: the Fall Homecoming Dance, Winter Ball, Junior Prom and Senior Prom. Special school rules and regulations regarding all dances are listed in the Student and Family Handbook.

Rallies and School Spirit

The Rally Board and Student Council team up to promote unity and school spirit throughout the year. Sports rallies celebrate our sports teams each season and for major events like State title and Bruce-Mahoney games. These student-run events showcase and celebrate some of the immense talents possessed by our student body. Additionally, the Student Council encourages involvement and support for athletics and VPA by giving students credit for attending games and performances that can be redeemed for spirit items and other prizes.

Private Independent & Innovative High School Serving San Mateo County & Alameda County