PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program will expect each individual to offer a minimum of

20 hours of service during each year

A portion of these hours will be offered every year in service of:

INTERNAL (St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School) – 10 hours minimum

*(work-study hours/service for extra-curricular organizations are NOT applicable unless they go above and beyond the expectations of all club members. Hours worked at a garage are NOT applicable. Students may NOT earn FIRE hours during the school day.)

EXTERNAL (Outside of the School Community) – 10 hours minimum

*(work MUST be affiliated with a not-for-profit [501(c)] organization or group such as a place of worship, neighborhood organizations, charities or causes, etc. and must occur outside of our campus.)

*A portion of the external hours for seniors will be focused on the Senior Capstone Project.

DEADLINE: For Seniors is April 20th

Each year students are required to submit all Dragon FIRE Hours on the helper helper application by the deadline. The deadline for the Freshmen through Juniors is May 15th and these must be posted, submitted , and  approved on helper helper. If you have any questions about posting your service hours on  helper helper, please see Ms. Seise.  The campus minister at St. Mary's is always willing to help  students complete their hours and  post their hours they have done.

Missing this deadline will result in an "F" in Dragon FIRE Service on their report card, as well as ineligibility in athletics for the first regular season competition, clubs, or activities or restricted from participation in school events such as (but not limited to): Dodgeball and 3-on-3 Tournaments, Homecoming Dance, Prom, or Senior Study.

Total Graduation Requirements

If attending St. Mary's High School for 4 years, the total requirement for service will be 80 hours (20 hours each year):

• Class of 2026: 80 hours (20 each year)

• Class of 2027: 80 hours (20 each year)

• Class of 2028: 80 hours (20 each year)

• Class of 2029: 80 hours (20 each year)
  
  

Practical Considerations

To promote the ideal that apostolic outreach is a constant pursuit and not a seasonal obligation in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ, students are expected to offer their service throughout the course of the year. In light of this goal, and in an attempt to encourage the virtues of prudence and temperance in the lives of our students, the following parameters are offered.

• Charitable service hours for the current school year may begin on June 1. Accommodations may be made upon request.

• Students are encouraged to distribute their hours throughout the academic year.  

• Service to one’s family is done freely, as an expression of love. Thus, work done at home to support family members, neighbors, and friends (caring for family members, chores at home, etc.) and visits to relatives who are elderly or in a care facility are not eligible to count as hours for the FIRE program.

• Students are encouraged to make good stewardship a consistent practice in their lives. Thus, neighborhood cleanups that take place outside of an official not-for-profit organization are not eligible to count as hours for the FIRE program.

• Students will be advanced to the next grade level upon completion of program requirements. If any student fails to meet the expectations of this program, he will receive a Failing Grade ('F') on his report card under "Dragon FIRE Service". This 'F' will be changed to a passing grade, "P" once all expectations of the program are fulfilled to the satisfaction of the program director.

• Students with an “F” will be ineligible for athletics and restricted from participation in school events such as (but not limited to): dodgeball and 3-on-3 tournaments, Homecoming dance, Prom, or Senior Study.

• Students who enroll during the academic year or transfer into St. Mary’s will have their expected hours of participation pro-rated.