Community Service Learning

Community Service Requirement

All students at Sussex Middle School must complete hours of Community Service Learning activities as part of a graduation requirement approved by the Sussex/Wantage Board of Education. Grade 8- 5 hours, grade 7- 3 hours, grade 6- 1.5 hours. The Community Service Learning requirement engages students in projects that serve the community and build their social awareness while developing character and citizenship skills. Participation in community service learning activities will empower students to make a difference in the lives of others. Students can complete their hours volunteering for organizations that serve our community. Student can volunteer with organizations with a wide range of social issues including poverty, hunger, homelessness, the environment, health, and education. Students may not earn hours by doing volunteer work with for-profit businesses unless it serves populations in need. Students may not earn community service learning hours for work where they are financially reimbursed, nor may they work at their after school place of employment for free.

Students can complete their Community Service Learning Requirement in four ways: classroom teacher sponsored opportunities, program sponsored activities, community service learning activities sponsored by approved clubs, or individual projects performed for approved organizations. A list of sites, agencies, clubs, and organizations serving our community is available as part of the Community Service Learning Packet available online at www.swregional.org. If a student would like to complete hours for an organization that is not on the list, please contact Mrs. Hosking for approval. It cannot be guaranteed that the student will be given credit for hours until the site is approved.

Upon completion of each activity, students must fill out an Hours Documentation Form. The form needs to be completed exactly as directed. Once the student has completed their community service and filled in the form, they must return the information to the following; Grade 6 and Grade 7 to their homeroom teacher, Grade 8 to Mrs. Vroegindewey (Guidance Counselor). All forms are available in the Community Service Learning Packet available in, the main office or online at www.swregional.org.  

Deadlines for completion:

Grade 8                 April 15, 2011       

Grades 6 and 7      May 31, 2011

Contact Mrs. Hosking shosking@swregional.org if you have questions!

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING COMMUNITY SERVICE

1.        Scan the list of sites, clubs, agencies, and organizations that serve our community. Choose some area that interests you and contact a facility in our area. Search the web or the phone book for contact information.

2.       Go online to the Sussex-Wantage website to obtain the Hours Documentation Form. The form needs to be completed exactly as directed. Once you have completed your community service, filled in the form, return the information to your homeroom teacher. You are responsible for keeping your forms together and in a safe place until you return them.  

3.       If you have an idea for community service but do not see your idea represented on the Agencies, Clubs, and Organizations Serving Our Community list, you’ll need to e-mail Mrs. Hosking for approval. Your site must be approved before doing your community service.

4.       Community service activities will be offered during school hours. Some activities may require bringing in items to be donated. If you would like to contribute when a donation activity occurs, you will need to obtain an Hours Documentation Form and place it into the bag with your donation. Please close the bag securely before placing it into the donation receptacle.

5.       Community service activities will be offered by classroom teachers.

6.       Community service activities will be offered after school.

7.       Non-profit organizations will also contact Sussex-Wantage in need of volunteers for upcoming events. Be sure to bring an Hours Documentation Form with you when you attend any activity.

Agencies, Clubs, and

Organizations Serving Our Community

Agencies that protect the environment

Agencies that serve single parents and their children

Agencies that serve the children of families in need

Agencies that serve the elderly in our community

Agencies that serve mentally or physically challenged children or adults

Agencies that provide safe housing for battered women and or children

Alcohol and drug abuse prevention/awareness

Animal shelters

Boy Scouts of America

Camps that serve those in need in our community

Children with birth defects

Church groups

Community centers

Domestic violence prevention/awareness

Eating disorders

Elderly homebound neighbors

Fire departments

Food banks

4-H

Girl Scouts of America

Homeless shelters

Hospitals

Immigration services

Law firms that offer free services to eligible clients

Libraries

Nursing homes

Organizations that build homes for families in need

Organizations that protect historical landmarks

Organizations that provide relief for disaster stricken areas around the world

Rescue/First aid squads

Schools in our sending district

Township recreation departments

Walk-a-Thons

Youth groups

Service Clubs at Sussex-Wantage

Kiwanis

Wallkill Valley Rotary

*Merely belonging to a club or organization does not automatically give you hours. Only activities done through the club that directly serve non-profit organizations or those in need in our community will count.