Q: How many service hours do I need to graduate?
A: You need 7 hours of community service each year for four years to graduate.
Q: Does participation in the MHS Day of Service count toward the graduation requirement?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the Presidential Volunteer Service Award?
A: This national award recognizes those students who are “the most outstanding volunteers." For more information, please view their website for more information.
Q: What can I do to get service hours?
A: Volunteer for a non-profit organization, contribute to one of the many school fundraisers or community events, volunteer as an assistant coach with youth sports, provide tutoring, assist a senior-citizen neighbor with necessary yard work, volunteer at a soup kitchen and much more. Check the Service Learning website regularly for volunteer opportunities.
Q: Can I get service hours for donating money or food?
A: No, although these are absolutely awesome and generous things to do, we do not grant service hours for this. It is inequitable and not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to donate money or food to others.
Q: Can I earn service hours instead of getting paid at my job?
A: Job opportunities for teens are limited, it is important that you are compensated fairly for the work you do. If you are working for a For-Profit organization than you cannot and should not opt for service hours instead of fair monetary compensation.
Q: Can I get service hours for participating in planning meetings?
A: No, attending planning meetings may be a necessary prerequisite in order to participate in service with the Key Club, Student Government, a Church Retreat or other activities but you can't log service hours for attending planning meetings. You can log hours for the actual community service provided.
Q: Can I get service for shoveling my driveway or cutting the grass?
A: No, no service credit will be given for completing personal chores and responsibilities.
Q: What else is restricted?
A: As per the Presidential Volunteer Service Award requirements, eligible service will not include: donating funds, political lobbying (non-partisan voter registration is allowed), religious instruction, conducting worship service, proselytizing, court-ordered community service and service only to family members.
Q: If I participate in a sleep out, how many hours can I log?
A: There is a 6 hour max for participation in the sleep out.
Q: If I participate in a service trip, how many hours can I log?
A: Service hours should only be logged for the time in which you are actually performing community service. You should not log hours for travel, down time, or recreational activities that may be included in the trip.
Q: If I serve on an overnight project, do I get hours for sleeping?
A: Students will be limited to 8 hours per day for projects that occur over multiple days. Travel time and sleeping time DO NOT count as service hours.