School Counselor Updates

The purpose of the Service Learning Graduation Requirement and the Student Volunteer Service Program is to acquaint high school students with the need to provide service to both their school and community.

Service Learning is defined as: An educational method by which participants learn and develop through active participation in service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community. Service learning is coordinated with a school or community service program and with the community. It is integrated into and influences the lifelong learning of a participant and includes structured time for the participants to reflect on the service experience.

Service learning teaches the skills of civil participation and develops an ethic of service and civic responsibility. Students can provide service in the community voluntarily to public, nonprofit agencies, civic, charities, governmental organizations, and school campuses.

Here is a link to the Service Learning Guidelines. Please be sure to review this document before volunteering to ensure you are following the appropriate guidelines and that you are aware of any limiting factors (i.e. earning hours through a religious institution, donation and their ineligibility, etc.).

LINKS TO REQUIRED DOCS:

Service Learning Record - this is used to document your volunteer hours. Be sure to list only ONE DAY of service per line, and ensure that the ENTIRE form is completed. This can be emailed to Ms. DeMarco (donna.demarco@browardschools.com) for processing.
Site Approval Form - one approval form should be submitted for each location through which service hours are earned. Students complete Part A, the supervisor from the organization will complete Part B, a parent/guardian will complete Part C, and leave Part D blank. This form should also be emailed to Mr. Schultz for processing.
BCPS Work Hours Form - this is used to document PAID WORK HOURS for only Bright Future scholarship eligibility. Work hours cannot be applied to the 40-hour minimum service learning requirement needed for graduation. A max of 100 work hours can be applied. A combination of volunteer and work hours can be used for Bright Futures purposes, as well.