Community Service Guidelines

COMMUNITY SERVICE GUIDELINES

2019-2020

Community Service is worth .5 credits. Students must complete 30 hours of service each year.

Due: May 1, 2020

  1. All letters of service must be submitted to your class sponsor on an official letterhead or emailed directly from the organization.
    • A separate form should be completed for service performed at Central (see below).
      • Freshmen: Up to 6 hours may be earned through shadowing.
  2. Community service hours may be completed at multiple locations — official documentation/letters of service must be provided from each location.
  3. Students must write an essay that outlines their experience. Essays must:
    • Be at least 3 paragraphs.
    • Include summary of service, how it benefitted the community, and what was learned.
    • Be submitted via Google Classroom (you have been enrolled in a Google Classroom for your homeroom).

What qualifies as a community service activity?

  • Students cannot get paid.
  • Internships do not qualify as community service.
  • MAY NOT be performed for family members or for profit-making organizations.
  • Must be completed at a NON-PROFIT organization. Hair salons, doctors’ offices, physical therapy facilities, and most daycare centers are FOR PROFIT businesses and are unacceptable.
  • Service performed with a club outside of school hours is acceptable.
  • Service for Central must be completed before/after school or during lunch periods.
  • Service performed at faith-based organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques) is acceptable as long as the activities are NOT religious. Activities performed at an after school program housed in a church are acceptable, but assisting in a worship service or Bible Study is not.
  • Campaigning for a political party/candidate or working for an elected official is unacceptable. Non-partisan organizations, such as The Committee for Seventy, are acceptable.

Popular sites/locations for service:

  • Hospitals/Nursing Homes (verified volunteer programs – these are the only non-profit institution allowed to give service)
  • Libraries
  • Schools (tutoring programs, etc) – not daycares unless daycare is a NON-PROFIT
  • Animal Shelters
  • Thrift Stores run by Non-Profits
  • Chartered Community Organizations (certain rec leagues, community programs, athletic leagues are actual non-profit recognized organizations and can be used for service)
  • Recycling Club
  • Orientation Leaders
  • Teacher Aides (must be approved by sponsor)
  • Tutoring at Central must be organized through National Honor Society, Writing Center, or via the Department Chairperson
  • http://volunteer.phila.gov/
  • http://www.volunteermatch.org/
  • http://www.dosomething.org/
  • Museums

GRADING: Pass (A)/Fail (F). Number grade reflects completion of requirements and do not reflect number on the report card.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Disciplinary action will occur for any student who has submitted forged or false documentation. No academic credit will be given for service and the matter will be handled in a manner consistent with School District of Philadelphia guidelines and Central High School’s Academic Integrity Policy. HOURS WILL BE VERIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEE YOUR SPONSOR.