Purpose
Independence High School staff believe in helping individuals understand the importance of volunteering. The Silver Cord Program is a program dedicated to honor students who give time to others in the community. Through this leadership, students learn giving back to others is enjoyable. It also creates opportunities to receive scholarships, network with individuals in the community who can write recommendation letters and who could be future employers for students in our district.
Recognition
Silver Cords will be given to seniors who have achieved their 200 hours of service by their senior year. They will receive their silver cord to be worn with their graduation caps and gowns and worn at Commencement. Recognition will also be noted in the Commencement program.
Important Guidelines
The student/parent agreement form must be completed prior to beginning any activity ( find it under forms listed above & to the left)
No more than 50% of the total volunteer hours should come from any one organization/activity
All volunteer hours must accumulate from at least three activities and all volunteer hours must be unpaid
The students must document ALL hours and have a community person above the age of 21, verify such hours.
Should not volunteer more than 8 hours in a day
Volunteer hours cannot be completed when you're scheduled to be in class
Qualifying for the Silver Cord
Students will be recognized if they earn the hours listed below each year by graduation. Hours begin the summer after the student's 8th grade year through May 1st of their senior year.
Hours Required
A total of 200 hours must be accumulated by May 1st of the student's senior year (see first column for modifications). Each year the student will phase into the program with the following hourly requirements beginning in the fall of 2012:
50 hours per year, or 200 hours prior to May 1 the year you graduate.
Any student new to the district will be pro-rated according to the year they transfer or move into Independence. Silver Cord hours can also be transferred from another district into our program. For example, if a student moves into Independence their sophomore year, they would only be required to have 150 hours at graduation.