Community Service @ FTHS Meeting Your Community Service Requirements for FTHS Graduation

The Bottom Line 75 hours total for graduation 12th grade - 15 recommended Dragon Talks project is NOT CS -based Can do service as part of the new senior project 60 hours recommended by end of 11th grade 11th grade – 20 recommended 10th grade – 20 recommended 9th grade – 20 recommended Hours are to be logged by ½ hour at minimum (no 10 minutes here, 5 minutes there) Example: 2 hours 30 minutes for Project Understanding on 10/05/10

Recognition Opportunities Extra hours look AWESOME to colleges Must be significant number of hours with a particular group – showing dedication/interest Some colleges are now requiring service for degree completion Extra hours recognized at Sr. Memories Night Silver 125-174 Gold 175-224 Platinum 225+ Scholarships often tied to community service Local and National service awards http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov www.congressionalaward.org

Where’s the Information? Next to Student Store Bulletin board outside student store office for current list Foothill website Media Center Get forms and proposal applications Turn in completed hours and reflection papers Give it to Mrs. Kapala Review, log hours, sign off on completion Do NOT set on the Media Center desk Do NOT put in anyone’s box in the office Mrs. Kapala can help you tie your career interests to community service organizations Counselors, Mr. Boyd & Mrs. Freeman & Ms. Vega Answer questions about graduation requirements Discuss adjustments for non-4 year FTHS students

Programs and Organizations Approved list of organizations bulletin board in Building B next to student store http://fthsmediacenter.wetpaint.com/page/Community+Service+InformationProposal to Approve applications available in Media Center Additional offers and opportunities posted regularly on bulletin board in Building B Off-campus: March of Dimes, Aegis Senior Home, Loving Heart Hospice, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, American Red Cross, Guide Dogs of America, Habitat for Humanity On-campus: NHS Tutoring, FIRE Crew Student Mentors One day: Beach Clean Up, carnivals for elementary schools, 5K events, etc.

When Were You Notified? FTHS Registration Guide FTHS Application Process FTHS Registration Guide FTHS Website Community Service Counselor visits in Health/Geography Education in the Digital Age class 4-year Planning Graduation requirement meetings with counselors

What Do I Do to START……and……FINISH? Choose an APPROVED organization Not on list? Go through approval process FIRST – no exceptions! Complete Community Service cover sheet Log your service hours for the current year Have organization verify hours and fill out their section of your form Write descriptive paper on your service What you learned about the community… How your participation improved the organization/community… Identify the values and ethics of the organization… What are they trying to accomplish? Explain how experience relates to or changes career goals… Turn in cover sheet, log sheet and written essay to Mrs. Kapala – papers in order, please! Due no later than the last Friday in September

Special Situations Main emphasis – LOCAL service Main emphasis – MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS’ LIVES No more than 8 hours per day for an event Some organizations have limitations – Milk Rocks, Jofree Ballet Only performances FREE to a targeted audience may count Check BEFOREHAND with Mrs. Kapala Church missions out of the country – 20 hours per week Must be building, cleaning, drilling wells, etc. Service out of the country – 20 hours per week No service for parents or relatives

Final Notes Find a niche; really get involved, stick with it awhile! Don’t do 2 hours here, 1.5 hours there, .5 hour another place, 3 hours over there, etc. Required to perform service at a minimum of 2 organizations within your 4 years Service in church organizations is RARELY approved because often it serves a NARROW community, not the GREATER Student cannot earn any money, pay or financial reward Approval of service organization after the fact does NOT count – must have PRE-approval Students that do NOT complete service will NOT graduate from FTHS – VUSD School Board enforces rule