Service Learning
SERVICE LEARNING HOURS:
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations and restrictions change frequently and rapidly. Most critically, everyone needs to follow the State and national guidance and regulations issued to keep everyone safe. The Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education will issue any school policy changes. Please continue to follow that guidance.
As all of this unfolds, many young people and school systems are asking what they can, cannot, should, or should not be doing in relation to service-learning. Schools are closed, but many students either want to be helpful and support their communities during this pandemic and/or want and/or need to earn service-learning hours towards fulfillment of the current service-learning graduation requirement.
As physical distancing is required right now, the best option for young people looking for ways to be of service to others would be through indirect and advocacy service-learning projects they can engage in at home.
There have been calls for community support in the creation of masks, gowns, and face shields that can be used by hospitals. Students who are interested and able with access to materials and equipment like sewing machines or 3D printers might decide to engage in those actions. Students could also participate remotely in long-established activities with organizations like Project Linus, Casey Cares, Kids Helping Hopkins, Cool Kids Campaign, The Ronald McDonald House, Believe in Tomorrow, and The Children’s Inn at NIH, etc. to provide support.
Students could also engage in advocacy projects from home: emailing leaders advocating on issues on which students have conducted research and want to see policy changes; creating social media campaigns on various issues, including promoting critical COVID-19 safe behaviors such as the need to physically distance ourselves from one another. Keeping physical distance does not have to mean social isolation, and students can help the community understand ways to remain connected despite keeping physically apart.
High quality indirect and advocacy service-learning projects can be done from home as long as students work to meet Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning. Students need to be encouraged as they research the issue they are working on to vet their sources of information.
PGCPS Service Learning Website Click for more service learning projects.
Download the Service Learning Verification Form
Steps For Independent Earning Service Learning Hours
FIRST: (PREPARATION) Consider what activity you want to do or what specific organization you want to work with.
All Service Learning Hours must be done with nonprofit, tax exempt organizations.
NEXT: Check the M-NCPPC (Maryland -National Capital Park and Planning Commission) Volunteer Office for a list of sites. Any activity located on the above websites are pre-approved!
NEXT: (ACTION) If the organization and activities are....
Pre-Approved
Contact the organization and volunteer to serve.
Participate in the Service Learning activity.
Not Pre-Approved
Complete a Service Learning Site Approval Form and submit it to Yvette M. Wright in the DEF Bldg. Counseling Suite for approval PRIOR TO BEGINNING service.
Upon receiving approval from Ms. Wright, participate in the Service Learning activity
Next: (REFLECTION) Complete a Service Learning Verification Form to document service performed in the summer or within each semester service is done.
Last: Turn completed Verification Form into your high school counselor by September 30 for summer service or by the end of each semester in which service is done for Service Learning hours to be reflected on your report card.
If you need help, contact Yvette M. Wright in the DEF Bldg. Counseling Suite. She is the School Based Service Learning Coordinator at Northwestern!