Community Service

What is community service?

Community Service Definition:

Community Service is a non-remunerated activity (student cannot receive payment, credit, reward or other compensation for service rendered) whereby a student provides a needed service that directly benefits our community through a professional non-profit organization.

Community Service must take place during non-instructional hours.

*Hours completed for a family member or friends do not count for community service.

Do I need to do community service?

Completion of community service hours is not a requirement of the High School Portfolio or graduation; however, it is worth ten points towards your final High School Portfolio grade. If you meet all of your Community Service Requirements, you will receive 10 points (full credit) on the 100 point Senior Portfolio grade. If you complete 2 of the 3 years, you will receive 6 points, and if you only complete 1 of the 3 years, you will still earn 3 out of 10 points on your final High School Portfolio grade.

Also, students who meet the community service requirement for their 9th/10th, 11th, and 12th grade will be recognized with a community service honor cord to be worn at graduation. Students must attend PGHS for three out of four years to be eligible to earn a cord, unless they provide proof of their completion of a minimum of 55 hours of community service completed at their prior school AND the hours must meet the PGHS community service definition.

How much community service do I need?

COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT BY GRADE LEVEL

Grade Level Minimum Hour Requirement

9th & 10th grade 10 hours cumulative

11th grade 20 hours

12th grade 25 hours

SUMMER HOURS

Remember, hours completed over the summer count towards your total for the next school year...

*Incoming 9th graders can complete community service hours during the summer prior to their freshman year as long as you receive prior approval through the online process.

How do I earn community service?

Prior Approval Forms must be submitted within two weeks before the completion of an event. Remember, the idea behind the prior approval process is to submit your activity PRIOR to completing it to ensure that it meets the community service criteria. Prior Approval Forms submitted after the two week window will not be granted and your activity will not count towards the community service requirement.

Once your hours are approved, you will receive a copy of your Prior Approval Form via email. Upon completion of their activity, students are required to get a signature from their supervisor and submit the form to their Advocacy teacher by the due date.

You should receive a response within 7 days. If you do not receive a response or have questions about community service, please make an appointment with Ms. Winder, in the VP Office.

Where can I find community service opportunities?

Check the bulletin
Student Student Services website
CharityCheck101.org

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