In the past few years, community service has become increasingly important as a part of the high school experience. Whether through a club, team or off campus activity, community service provides an opportunity for students to expand their interest and participate in rewarding activities. Etowah High School recognizes students who pursue community service in our annual Honors Day Celebration with a community service letter or bar. Students who complete a minimum of 60 hours of service are eligible for a letter or bar. For more information, please read the attached document labeled “Community Service Guidelines”, or see Mrs. Szpindor in room 7206. Documents needed to log and verify service are also attached on this link.

Community Service Letter Guidelines Like so many in the academic community, Etowah High School encourages the incorporation of service into a student’s academic portfolio during their time here. Service opportunities provide invaluable experiences that not only build character but also key skills that will be a factor in future successes. As such, Etowah High School wants to recognize those who devote time to such endeavors with a Varsity Letter of Community Service. To earn a letter, students must serve a minimum of 60 hours of community service within a period of 2 semesters. The semesters need not be consecutive, but must be within a two year period (not 60 hours spread out over 2 years). At least 50% (30 hours) must be completed as a part of a specific EHS organization to earn a community service letter. Service must be to the school community OR the community at large. However, all hours must be tied to an academic class or club at Etowah High School. Hours completed for service done OUTSIDE of Etowah High School must be approved PRIOR to their completion by the Service Hours Coordinator. Additional forms may be required to verify the validity of the service completed. Similar procedures should be followed for the completion of service hours and projects outside of the normal school session (holiday, summers). Summer activities are automatically approved if an Etowah organization sponsors the activity. Exceptions could be made for students who get approval from the sponsor of services IN ADVANCE for a summer activity or project. The letters will be awarded by an organization. The student must be a member in good standing of that organization and 35 or more hours must have been served through that organization. The remaining hours may be accumulated through other school organizations with a total of not more than three organizations awarding hours (that includes the awarding organization). This demonstrates the ability to commit to the mission of a single organization. Students should turn hours in to a club sponsor on a MONTHLY basis. Logs can include activities sponsored by multiple organizations at EHS on the same form. The sponsor of the awarding organization will be responsible for collecting and verifying hours as well has handing in necessary paperwork to the Service Hours Coordinator. The Service Hours Coordinator will be charged with “signing off” the verification forms for the purpose of awarding of a Community Service letter.

Examples of activities that WILL count:  Hours for Innovation Zone activities – plays, skits, performances  School service projects – Chip in with the Custodians, school tours, and other activities deemed appropriate by the sponsor of the school organization.  “Pro bono” work completed outside of school for an organization  Non profit clubs/activities  Work for churches (as long as the activity is not the conducting of a service, proselytizing, etc.)  Non profit camps Examples of activities that WILL NOT count:  Monetary donations or donations “in kind” – ie: collecting cans for service hrs  Activities with direct financial compensation to the club or organization  Any fundraising activities  Activities that require time out of class  Things already required for an academic class/assignment  Things that are already counting for another purpose or organization Some ideas for Service Hours:  Church/parish activities (non service, non proselytizing)  Schools – tutoring, after school programming  Giving times to various charities  Work at food banks/soup kitchens  Hours towards completion of projects for Eagle Scout (unless claiming those hours towards another organization)  Habitat for Humanity builds

Etowah High School Community Service Log Name:____________________________________________

Grade: ______________

E-Mail: ___________________________________________ Student ID: ________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________________________ Month of Service: ___________________________________ Service Activity

Sponsoring Organization

Academic year

Date(s) of Completion

Number of Hours Earned

Signature of Sponsor

Request for Service Activity Approval

Etowah High School

Student Name: ____________________________________ Student ID: __________________ Student Email OR Phone: ________________________________________________________ Date of Request: ______________________ Date of Completion of Activity _______________ Name of Organization: __________________________________________________________ Please give a brief description of the purpose/mission behind this organization:

What tasks will you complete for this organization?

Why do these tasks qualify as a community service activity?

Any additional information you feel needs to be shared to give a clear idea of this project:

Is this a non-profit organization? Circle one

yes

no

Will you be financially compensated? Circle one yes

no

Is this during school hours? Circle one

no

yes

Are you claiming this activity for another organization? Circle one Is this activity a part of the completion of a class assignment? Circle one yes

yes

no no

VERIFICATION BY MEMBER OF ORGANIZATION: I verify that the above information is correct in regards to the completion of this service activity. Signature _______________________________________ Date _______________________