FAQ

Community Service:  

1. What should I do if the organization at which I volunteered does NOT have official letterhead?  Although official letterhead is required, some organizations are not as big as others, while other organizations are so big they cannot individually write a form for each volunteer (e.g., St. Mary's Hospital has an hourly clock-in version and not a letter).  If this happens, submit what you can and attach a letter to your submission explaining why you were unable to get official letterhead with your submission.

2. Can I get more than two (2) NHS points if I complete over 16 hours of community service?  While your amount of accrued hours volunteering is impressive, unfortunately the maximum amount of NHS points for community service is two (2). 

3. When can I submit the paperwork for my community service point(s)?  You can submit the form and letter as soon as you finish.  Upload all forms to Canvas upon completion.  The deadline for the 2024/2025 school year submission is Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Tutoring:

1. What do I do if I encounter problems while tutoring (e.g., the tutee does not respond to my attempts to contact him or her, the material is too difficult for me, I can longer tutor because of a schedule change, etc.)?  Please contact me immediately with any problems.  I cannot help you if I do not know there is a problem.  You can email Mrs. Daley (mdaley@pennsburysd.org) or stop by my room with concerns and/or questions (room 242 at East). 

2. What is the tutoring assignment process?  Guidance councilors, students, or others contact me with requests from students for tutors.  Most come from the high school, but on occasion we receive requests from elementary and middle schools.  The vice president (Diana Urgiles) will send out a request via you school email address.   The first student to respond gets the position.

3. I am struggling to be the first person to respond.  What can I do?  First, be patient.  Many opportunities will occur throughout the year.  Second, check to make sure Riya is on your "safe-senders" list.  This can increase the speed of the email arriving in your inbox.  Third, create your own opportunity.  If there is someone in your class who is struggling, he or she might be a potential tutee for you to consider.

4.  Can I tutor a sibling or parent?  Not for NHS credit, but you should help a family member who is struggling.  

5.  How do I get credit for tutoring?  Please see the tutoring page for information. 

6.  When can I submit the paperwork for my tutoring?  You can submit the form as soon as you finish.  You can upload them to Canvas upon completion.  The deadline for the 2024/2025 school year submission is Wednesday, May 14, 2025. 

Graduation Supplies:

1.  How and when do I get my graduation supplies?  A week or so before graduation, supplies will be available to students for pick up.  I will post the information in the bulletin and send an email/Remind message.  You are then responsible for collecting the supplies.

2.  How do I check to make sure I am graduating with full honors?  Point tallies can be accessed via this LINK  (also found on Canvas).  The main tab shows tutoring, community service, and sponsored points accrued.  To see individual sponsored activities, click the tab on the right.  It will show all NHS sponsored events.  **Only active members can view point tallies.  You must be signed in to Google with your Pennsbury ID to view the spreadsheet. 

Points:

1.  How can I check how many points I have?   Point tallies can be accessed via this LINK  (also found on Canvas).  The main tab shows tutoring, community service, and sponsored points accrued.  To see individual sponsored activities, click the tab on the right.  It will show all NHS sponsored events.  **Only active members can view point tallies.  You must be signed in to Google with your Pennsbury ID to view the spreadsheet. 

2.  How quickly are points recorded?  Recording points can sometimes take a few days to a few weeks.  NHS relies on sponsors submitting sign-in forms.  This sometimes happens quickly and sometimes takes a few polite email reminders.

3.  What do I do if there is an error with my points?  First, check the sponsored activity tab to see where you are missing points.  Please do not email me to say that you are "missing points."  I need to know where you are missing points to correct the error.  Second, check to make sure the event for which you are missing points has been added.  If it has not been added and only a week or two has gone by, be patient--your points will be processed.  Third, email Ms. Bellman AND Mrs. Daley with specific details about miscalculated points.     

NHS Sponsored Activities:

1.  How do I find out about volunteer opportunities to gain service points?  Volunteer opportunities are posted on Canvas.  Email Ms. Bellman and Mrs. Daley if you are not receiving emails.  Also add me to your safe-senders list.

2.  How do I sign up for sponsored activities?  Volunteer activities emailed to you will have a link to SignUp Genius.  Click the link to sign up.  Please make sure you have your own SignUp Genius account in case there is a change to the activity.

3.  What do I do if I have signed up, but I can no longer attend?  You must find a replacement by reaching out to your fellow NHS members.  Organizers are relying on your attendance at an activity, so it is important to make sure your position is cover.  After finding a replacement, please email me at tbellman@pennsburysd.org.   FINALLY, you must drop the activity in SignUp Genius and instruct your replacement to pick up the vacancy.   

Email Issues

1.  What if I am not receiving emails that I know other students have received?  

• Make sure you have filled in the form on Canvas. 

• Add tbellman@pennsburysd.org and mdaley@pennsburysd.org as a safe sender in your email contacts.

• Contact Ms. Bellman  AND Mrs. Daley at the above address if the first two options do not fix the problem.