Student Service Learning
Student Service Learning Hours
FOR STUDENTS
SSL Guidelines
May begin earning student service learning (SSL) hours toward the 75-hour graduation requirement the summer after completing Grade 5. Hours are accrued throughout high school.
May receive a maximum of 8 SSL hours in any 24-hour period earned outside of the instructional school day.
Must participate in community opportunities that are MCPS SSL organizations if SSL hours are desired from community involvement:
May participate in service-learning opportunities with nonprofit organizations identified with a graduation cap at Montgomery County Volunteer Center or;
May submit a completed MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning Request prior to earning SSL hours with any organization or opportunity that is not identified with a graduation cap at Montgomery County Volunteer Center.
May receive SSL hours for involvement in campaigns of individuals running for public office with the granting of MCPS Form 560-50. Request must be pre-approved in advance of the public service.
Must perform service under the supervision on an adult representing an MCPS SSL nonprofit tax-exempt organization. The exception is prior approval of MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning Request, for direct service to residents/patients in for-profit nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
Certificate of Meritorious Service/Purple Tassel:
May be recognized for exceptional service in senior year by having documented 240 or more hours of service by the Friday, April 5th (Certificate of Meritorious Service from MSDE and MCPS and a purple tassel to wear at graduation services).
Must verify service-learning experiences using MCPS Form 560-51 Student Service Learning Activity Verification, and submit it to the school-based SSL coordinator according to the following timelines:
Friday, September 29th for service completed during the summer;
Friday, January 5th for service completed during the summer and first semester;
Friday, May 31st for service completed during the summer, first semester, and second semester.
All SSL Forms for service completed any time during the current school year and the summer before the current school year are REQUIRED to be submitted to the school SSL coordinator no later than the first Friday in June.
Certificate of Meritorious Service/Purple Tassel:
Seniors May be recognized for exceptional service in senior year by having documented 240 or more hours of service by the Friday, April 5th (Certificate of Meritorious Service from MSDE and MCPS and a purple tassel to wear at graduation services).
Want to know about Student Service Learning Opportunities at Springbrook High School? Please use this QR Code:
Senior SSL Action Plan
If you have NOT met your 75 SSL hour requirement, then you MUST complete this action plan.
You can also review the SBHS SSL Graduation Requirement Overview for Potential Graduates 2023-2024 presentation by clicking here.
March SSL Opportunities (for which students can earn up to 44.5 SSL hours!)
Montgomery County Public Schools Girls Summit (March 9, 2024, 9AM-1PM) - Session topics include healthy relationships/dating violence, social media use and mental health, identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety, Narcan training, and much more!
Students may earn 4 SSL hours for attending and learning this important information so that they can help to spread awareness about these topics and participate in Narcan training to support in the case of an emergency. To learn more, please click here.
MCPS National History Day (March 9, 2024, 8:00am - 2:00pm) - For MCPS Students 18+ - MCPS is looking for HS students 18+, to judge student projects at the National History Day County Competition on March 9, 2024, at Loiederman Middle School! Students will receive 6 SSL hours and lunch on the day of the event. To learn more, please visit this link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=877333
Annual Youth Voice Roundtable (March 12, 2024, 6:30-8:30 PM) - The Montgomery County Commission on Children and Youth is hosting a virtual opportunity for middle and high school students to share their perspectives on the following issues: civic engagement, career readiness resources, and LGBTQIA+ support. Students may earn 2 SSL hours for participating in this dialogue with the council. To learn more, please click here.
The Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 5 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link.
The Living Organ Donor Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link.
C&O Canal and Potomac Riverside Cleanup - April 13, 2024 (9 AM - 12 PM) - Join us as we work together to clean up the Potomac River and its huge watershed area! Some of the many cleanup sites in our region are in your backyard! Students may earn 3 SSL hours for participating. Interested students may view additional details and sign up at the following link.
Earth Day SSL Opportunity (April 22, 2024, 9:30am - 2:00pm) - Build the first MCPS farm, and earn SSL hours while giving back to the Earth! Students may earn 4.5 SSL hours for participating. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided. To learn more, please click here.
Student-to-Student Extracurricular Series - 10 SSL hours -- VIRTUAL/REMOTE – MCPS is seeking students interested in developing a video presentation with either a leadership moment or extracurricular skill to inspire, teach, and share with their MCPS peers and the greater MCPS community. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the Student-To-Student Extracurricular Series Form.
Additional March SSL Opportunities
Attention all students! If you are looking to earn SSL hours, follow @mcpsvolunteers on Instagram and Twitter! You’ll be able to find out about current SSL opportunities and other important information regarding the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement!
There are many SSL opportunities available during the month of January for which students can earn up to 45 SSL hours!
MLK Day of Service (January 15, 2024) - January 15, 2024, is known as “MLK Day of Service: A Day On, Not A Day Off.” The Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) will be partnering with various nonprofit organizations to host multiple opportunities for individuals to serve on the MLK holiday away from school.
Special events will be held in multiple locations, and individuals who wish to serve at one of these locations must sign up in advance on the MCVC website at the following link.
Understanding and Preventing Islamophobia for Students (January 16, 2024, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.) - Students will learn what Islamophobia is and how to identify, prevent, and respond to it. This student session will be led by Dr. Susan Douglass, Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies K-14 Education Outreach Director.
Students may earn 2 SSL hours for attending and participating.
Interested students must register to participate at the following link.
Remembering the Holocaust: International Holocaust Remembrance Day Student Webinar (January 25, 2024, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.) - Students are invited to participate in a webinar to learn about the Holocaust and the artwork of a Holocaust survivor, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz.
Students may earn 2 SSL hours for attending and participating.
Interested students must register to participate at the following link.
The Choose Respect Video Contest (Deadline: February 11, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions about healthy teen dating and the impact of teen dating violence. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website
The Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 5 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link
The Living Organ Donor Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link
Student-to-Student Extracurricular Series - 10 SSL hours -- VIRTUAL/REMOTE – MCPS is seeking students interested in developing a video presentation with either a leadership moment or extracurricular skill to inspire, teach, and share with their MCPS peers and the greater MCPS community. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the Student-To-Student Extracurricular Series Form
MCPS National History Day (March 9, 2024, 8:00am - 2:00pm) - For MCPS Students 18+ - MCPS is looking for HS students 18+, to judge student projects at the National History Day County Competition on March 9, 2024, at Loiederman Middle School! Students will receive 6 SSL hours and lunch on the day of the event.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center and several partner sites will also be offering SSL opportunities for students on MLK Day, which are available for sign-up on the Volunteer Center website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/volunteers/MLK.html
As a reminder, students may visit the following quick links to find SSL resources:
SSL forms, resources, and guidelines - https://bit.ly/SSLHubMCPS
SSL opportunities - https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities and https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020
Highlighted monthly SSL opportunities - https://bit.ly/SSLOpps23-24
SSL organizations - https://bit.ly/SSLOrganizations
SSL program overview - https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020
Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE - https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE
Introduction to SSL Handout:
English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
The Vision Zero Youth Ambassador Program application is now open (Deadline: December 15, 2023)! The goal of this program is to equip high school students to be the next generation of traffic safety leaders in their community and help to execute projects that will ultimately improve safety in our communities.
Apply here - https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Pedsafety/VZYA/
To learn more, please visit this link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=868371
Save A Student Summit (December 16, 2023, 10:00am - 12:30pm) - The Save A Student Summit will be held at the Gaithersburg High School Auditorium. Students will learn about the impact of Fentanyl, get trained on using Narcan, receive a Narcan kit, and earn 2.5 SSL hours for completing an onsite advocacy project.
Please submit your RSVP (https://bit.ly/SaveAStudent2023)
To learn more, please visit this link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=878310
The Choose Respect Video Contest (Deadline: February 11, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions about healthy teen dating and the impact of teen dating violence. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website.
The Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest (Deadline: March 31, 2024) is now open! Students may earn 5 SSL hours for quality video submissions. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this link.
MCPS National History Day (March 9, 2024, 8:00am - 2:00pm) - For MCPS Students 18+ - MCPS is looking for HS students 18+, to judge student projects at the National History Day County Competition on March 9, 2024, at Loiederman Middle School! Students will receive 6 SSL hours and lunch on the day of the event.
To learn more, please visit this link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=877333
Earn SSL Hours and become a reporter for the Blueprint Newspaper:
Would you like to earn SSL hours? Become a Blueprint reporter. Simply take pictures of any Springbrook event (sporting, drama, art, field trips, etc), complete this Google Form, and earn SSL hours. You must include pictures, a short summary of the event, and at least 1 student interview and picture.
2. Do you have experience in dance? Can you tango? Well, the Springbrook Drama Club needs a Choreographer for the upcoming play "Addams Family." Earn SSL hours and gain experience as a choreographer. Please contact Ms. Nancy Blum, Theater Director for more information at nancy.l.blum@mcpsmd.net
There are many SSL opportunities available during the month of November for which students can earn up to 25.5 SSL hours:
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 (October 30 - November 4, 2023) - MCPS and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association (MCSPA) will host a weeklong expo to give students the opportunity to hear from mental health experts on issues that are important to them, featuring daily themes, dynamic speakers and informational videos, as well as two live virtual events.
Students may earn up to 9.5 SSL hours for viewing videos, attending virtual workshops, and participating in follow-up advocacy action throughout the week.
More details can be found at the following link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=862885
For additional information, visit https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/mental-health/fair/index.aspx
Lynching Memorial Marker Dedication Ceremony (November 11, 2023, 2PM-4PM) - High school students are invited to attend the Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation’s Mr. Diggs-Dorsey and Mr. Randolph memorial marker dedication ceremony at 100 Maryland Avenue Rockville, MD 20850, on Saturday, November 11, 2 PM - 4 PM.
Register to attend: https://tinyurl.com/rnms7w7n.
Students will earn up to 2 SSL hours for attending. Learn more here.
Changemaker Workshops (November 14 and 15, 2023, 6:30PM-8PM) - Join local and student activists in a virtual changemaker workshop as they teach students and parents how to effectively challenge social justice issues and inequities in their communities.
Students may earn 2 SSL hours for attending and actively participating in the workshop.
November 14, 6:30PM-8PM - Secondary (English)
November 15, 6:30PM-8PM - Secondary (Spanish)
Additional details can be found at the following link: https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=865358
“Speak Up, Save A Life” PSA Contest (Deadline: November 17, 2023) - The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting a Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest for middle school and high school students that challenges teens to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse or overdose and fentanyl among teens. Participants who submit a PSA that meets the contest requirements will earn 10 SSL hours and have a chance to win prizes. To learn more, please visit this link.
The Culture of Respect 2023-2024 Student Training Module (Deadline: December 1, 2023) is available on Canvas for students to access:
Students must fully complete the training module to be eligible to earn two (2) SSL hours.
Please note that each school has a Culture of Respect designee who was trained in this module, and your school may already have a plan in place for students to complete this module during homeroom, advisory, or another designated time before December 1.
Remember:
You must participate in community opportunities that are MCPS SSL organizations if SSL hours are desired from community involvement:
May participate in service-learning opportunities with nonprofit organizations identified with a graduation cap at Montgomery County Volunteer Center or;
May submit a completed MCPS Form 560-50, Individual Student Service Learning Request prior to earning SSL hours with any organization or opportunity that is not identified with a graduation cap at Montgomery County Volunteer Center.
If you would like to volunteer to help support the Fall Festival on Saturday, October 28th and earn SSL hours, please complete this form. The committee needs volunteers who would like to assist with running the games, answering questions, setting up and cleaning up, selling the pumpkins, etc.
Si desea ofrecerse como voluntario para ayudar a apoyar el Festival de Otoño el sábado 28 de octubre y ganar horas SSL, complete este formulario. El comité necesita voluntarios que quieran ayudar con los juegos, responder preguntas, preparar y limpiar, vender las calabazas, etc.
