Silver Cord

Definition

• • An unpaid activity

  • Cannot be used as credit towards required volunteer hours for groups (i.e., 4-H, Confirmation, Scouts, National Honor Society, school classes) unless it is over and above the number required

  • Cannot occur during the school day

  • Cannot be performed for family members

  • May not be court ordered

  • Does not include minor acts of kindness (i.e., holding doors open)

  • Is in addition to participation in club activities such as Scouts and 4-H (that require service hours)

  • May not include working for political parties

Guidelines

• • Students may begin accumulating hours after the last day of school of their 7th grade year.  

  • 8th graders may carry up to 10 hours of service to their freshman year.

  • Forms will be kept on file in the high school office.

  • All Silver Cord hours must be done outside of the school day.

  • Check with the Elkader Economic Development Office for summer ideas

  • Taking charge or coordinating a project or activity (leadership) is excellent to put on employment and scholarship applications (see Mrs. Angela Bergan  or Mr. Reinhart if you have questions)

  • Students will not be given credit for more than 35 hours in any given year or 15 hours in a year for any one type of volunteer activity.

  • Student must complete 75 of their required hours prior to the start of their senior year.

  • Service hours required by organizations (National Honor Society, HOBY, Gold Award, Eagle Scout, 4H clubs community service, Boy Scout required rank advancement, legally required community service, etc...)  are counted separately from Silver Cord hours

  • Students working toward their Silver Cord may refer to the list of volunteer activities for ideas

  • After completing an activity, a student must turn in their completed log to a counselor to be added to their guidance portfolio.

  • The Silver Cord Committee shall consist of  the principal, counselor, EDC Director, two community members from the school district, National Honor Society student representative, and Student Council representative to review policies and student applications

Recognition  

• • Seniors will be recognized every year at the Awards Night for hours earned

  • Seniors who earn 100 or more hours will wear a Silver Cord at the graduation ceremony

  • The Silver Cords are the property of Central Community School

Required Hours 

By the end of each year, students need to have accumulated a total of the following amount of hours to be eligible for the Silver Cord program:

• • 9th grade: 25 total hours 

  • 10th grade: 50 total hours

  • 11th grade: 75 total hours

  • 12th grade: 100 total hours