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The Service Learning Graduation Requirement
and the Student Volunteer Service Program

VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAM

• 40 Hours Community Service Hours are required in order to fulfill the Service Learning Graduation requirement. 75 Hours are required to qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Academic Award.  In addition, you can achieve DHS' Operation Platinum (250 Hours) and be recognized at graduation with a Silver Cord.

• Hours should be submitted at least nine weeks prior to Graduation.

• Prior to doing outside community service projects, a Student Volunteer Service Application and Approval Form MUST be completed and submitted to the Volunteer Program Coordinator at least 10 school days prior to doing that volunteer project.   Get your forms approved in a timely manner...prior to Spring, Summer and Winter breaks! Parts A, B, and C must be completed on the form.  If your service project location/site is approved, you will receive a log sheet to be signed by the person in charge at your volunteer site.

• Log on to www.volunteerbroward.org.  Click on the Student Volunteer Guide.  There are approximately 200 non profit agencies listed that can assist you in earning volunteer hours!

Forms are located in the Panther Pathway Center.

The purpose of the Service Learning graduation Requirement and the Student Volunteer Service Program is to acquaint high school students with the need to become participating agents of change by providing service to both their school and community. Service Learning and Volunteer Service Program is divided into three tiers.

Tier I Service Learning Hours required for graduation (40 hours).

Service performed over the summer or performed as part of an organization that is not a school sponsored club or organization must meet Service Learning Guidelines to earn service learning hours. This includes the Approval/Application Form that should be on file prior to undertaking the project, ten days prior.

Tier II Service Learning and Volunteer Service Hours - Required to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars Program (one of the Bright Futures Scholarships) (75 hours)

Must be documented on Tier II/II Log sheet and must comply with rules of that program.

The Florida Academic Scholars Program requirements listed on the reverse side of Tier II/III sheet must be completed.

Tier III Volunteer Service Hours - Required to earn a silver cord at graduation. (250 hours)

All Service Learning hours must be documented on the Service Learning Record - Graduation requirement Tier I Log Sheet. Tier I log sheets must be returned to the Coordinator. Students must retain a copy of this form for their records. Students may start earning hours as soon as they are promoted to the ninth grade.

Students will be required to write a one page reflection regarding the Service Learning Requirement. This assignment will become part of the American Government Curriculum beginning 2001.

Community Service Application and Approval Forms

This form is available from the Student Volunteer Service Program Coordinator and must be filled out completely and submitted prior to undertaking any service that is not connected with a school recognized club or organization. A student does not need this form if he/she is participating in a service activity undertaken by a school sponsored club, class or organization of which he/she is a member. Please note, however, that not all projects undertaken by school clubs and organizations count for service hours. The Application/Approval Form must be turned in ten days prior to undertaking the project.

Here are a few General Guidelines:
All services must comply with the policies of the School Board of Broward County, Florida.

• Services for which a student receives financial or other substantial compensation will not be counted.
  Time out from class may not be used for hours, however a maximum of five (5) volunteer hours per week can be earned by participation is an organized supervised and approved peer tutoring program in which tutoring takes place when school is in session. However,the tutoring cannot take place during any of the tutor's academic classes.
• Service rendered directly to any for-profit institution will not count.
• Volunteer work done to promote a particular religious or political point of view or person will not count.
• Service performed as the result of discipline action taken by the school or by the courts will not count.
• Participation in campus or competitive activities, such as athletics, plays, debates, meets, etc. will not count.
• Volunteer hours may not be certified by a family member or a fellow student.
• Babysitting or similar services, performed for an individual family will not count.
• Services performed for day care centers, retirement homes, animal hospitals, count for volunteer service hours.
• Service hours will not be awarded for any in kind or monetary donations of any kind, including blood drives, canned food collections, etc.
• Participation in self-improvement workshops, clinics, conferences or conventions will not count for volunteer hours. If workshops, clinics, etc. have a specific service component, the hours spent on that activity can count.
• Participation in and travel to theatrical musical performances, festival or community events will count as service hours if all listed below are met:
  1. The performance meets an identified community service need.
  2. The student/organization does not profit from the performance including academic credit, letters or financial compensation.
  3. Admission is not charged nor donations solicited.
     

If you are not sure...please stop the BRACE office to verify information.