Guidelines for Community Service

Click To Enter Community Service Hours

Community service hours that are acceptable:

1. Activities which benefit the school or community provided that the community organizations benefiting from the services are non-profit, with the exception of hospitals, nursing homes, or educational activities.

2. Activities which are not tied to a grade (i.e. - Musical performances with school groups to places like Southampton Estates, will not count if the activity is tied to a grade in the music class).

3. Activities which render service to individuals who cannot otherwise provide for themselves.

Examples of approved activities:

1. Participating in a service project as a member of a service club or community organization.

2. Students who leave school to participate in an elementary or middle school, as a part of an instructional/tutoring program approved by the principals in each school.

3. Volunteering at a local hospital, nursing home, etc.

4. Volunteering one's services to individuals, i.e. senior citizens or the disabled.

5. Volunteering as a coach or instructor for a nonprofit organization such as Little League.

6. ALL tutoring (not paid); including tutoring done before or after school, during lunch.

7. Outreach programs of religious organizations and other non-profit organizations, which provide non-proselytizing service to the poor, sick, needy, etc.

8. Participating in events, i.e., marathons, walks, races, which benefit charitable organizations.

Community service hours will not be accepted for any of the following circumstances:

1. Service for which a student receives compensation.

2. Court-directed community service.

3. Service that is a prerequisite for employment.

4. Fundraising for a school sponsored activity.

5. Attendance at religious services or organizational meetings, whether school or community based.

6. Service to one's own family.

7. Unsupervised service.

8. Volunteering to promote a particular religious/political point of view or person.

Procedures for completing Community Service:

1. Complete the Community Service Validation Form Remember to include the student, parent, and the supervising agency signatures.

2. It is solely the student's responsibility to maintain copies of all documents, including the signed community service application.

3. It is the student's responsibility to enter his/her volunteer hours.