ADVISORY August 11, 2015

What is Advisory?  The goal of the Advisory program is to allow students to become involved in school through serving as a teacher assistant in the elementary, intermediate, or middle school and/or serving as a mentor at the high school (when applicable).  Provides an opportunity for students to engage in community service.  ***Students completing 75 hours or more of approved community service and program activities while enrolled in school may earn a full academic Community Service credit toward graduation.***

Rules  Students will not be permitted to serve as an aid for family members (i.e. parents, aunts, uncles, etc.).  Students will not be allowed to ride to other campuses with other students. Each student MUST drive themselves. No exceptions will be made.  You will NOT be allowed to work on any schoolwork during this time. DO NOT ASK!  Cell phones are not allowed on other campuses. Leave them in your car or locker! If they are seen, they will be confiscated!

Rules  Dress Code:  You are working with smaller children. You must dress modestly.  For example, shorts that are not at your fingertip length or shirts that are see through are not appropriate.  No inappropriate language or jokes will NOT be tolerated!  Absences:  If you know you will not be at your school due to illness or school activity, you must let your teacher and Mrs. Atkinson know in advance.

Procedures  Students will be required to sign in and out in the main offices of each campus when you leave and arrive. Failure to sign-in or out may result in you being counted absent. Attendance rules apply.  You will still only be allowed 5 minutes between class periods. This means you must get to the office to sign-out, go to your car if leaving campus, be to your location, and sign-in within 5 minutes.  If you will not be at your designated location due to a scheduled appointment or school activity, you MUST let the teacher know ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.  Before engaging in community service during your advisory period (i.e. Mentoring or tutoring a student), you must gain approval from your teacher and Mrs. Atkinson first.

Teacher Responsibilities  Teachers who sign up for students to come to their classes will be responsible for ensuring students are engaging in appropriate ways and will be held accountable for communicating with the designated Community Service Learning Supervisor (Mrs. Atkinson) when issues arise (attendance, cell phone usage, work ethic, etc.).  Teachers will also be responsible for end of semester student evaluations.  Teachers are responsible for upholding the rules and procedures of the Advisory program.  Teachers must advise classes about limits to confidentiality for when students might share information with aids.

Confidentiality  As a volunteer of any organization, you may have access to confidential information, both verbal and written, relating to clients, volunteers or staff and the organization. All information is to be treated confidentially and discussed only within the boundaries your volunteer position.  You must not discuss these matters after you have left the volunteer position. Breaching confidentiality shall constitute grounds for and may result in termination of your volunteer status and will result in a failing grade for the Advisory course.  Students may share information with you that involves them hurting themselves, hurting someone else, or that someone is hurting them. In these cases, you are REQUIRED to let the teacher and Mrs. Atkinson know immediately! You are not equipped to address these issues on your own and are not allowed to.

Community Service  Why does it matter?  This year C.S. ranked number four in importance of factors considered for college admission—above reference letters, interviews, and legacy.  This year’s survey shows 72 percent of admissions officers prefer students be consistently involved with one issue over a variety of causes versus last year’s reading of 50 percent (US News and World Report, 2015).  Psychological benefits:  Life satisfaction, creates feeling good about yourself, decreases stress and depression  Social benefits:  Engages students with the community, creates special bonds with the population served, increases social responsibility  Cognitive benefits:  Helps enhance student knowledge, earn new experiences, and develop new skills

Community Service  What is it?  A method whereby students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of communities;  Coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program and the community;  A way to help foster civic responsibility;  Is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the education components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled;  Provides structured time for students or participants to reflect on the service experience  Approved Community Service Agencies  Carroll County Learning Center-Berryville Arkansas  Cooperative Extension Service-Berryville, Arkansas  4-H UA Cooperative Extension Service-Berryville, Arkansas  Carroll County Senior Activity Center-Berryville, Arkansas  Food Bank of the Ozarks-Berryville, Arkansas  Berryville School District

Community Service  What is it not?  Grading papers or completing other clerical tasks for teachers  Watching classes for teachers  Babysitting  Being paid for a service  Helping family members

Grading  Students will be required to complete 20 hours of pre-approved community service projects each semester (total of 40 hours per year). Hours can be accrued during the student’s Advisory period with prior approval from the parent, principal, and Community Service Supervisor or can be completed after school with advanced approval.  Students who do not complete the community service hours each semester will not be permitted to stay in the course for the following semester.  Students must obtain permission from the Community Service Supervisor prior to earning any community service hours and must be completed with a state and district-approved agency.  Grading will be on a normal A-F grading scale and will be based on  Completing forms in a timely manner  Attendance  Participation  Other assignments

Forms  Students will be required to participate in preparation, action, and reflection activities for each community service project they complete.  Preparation- Students will be required to examine the needs of the community and school and prepare an essay explaining the need and how they plan to meet the need.  Action- Students will be responsible for engaging in the community service learning project.  Reflection- Students will be required to engage in weekly reflection assignments as well as additional assignments (resumes, essays, etc.). Assignments must be completed to earn hours and will be graded.

Forms  Several forms need to be completed for EACH community service project before and after community service:  Community Service Agreement- To be completed prior to engaging in community service.  Community Service Prep Form- To be completed prior to engaging in community service.  Reflection Form- To be completed at the conclusion of community service.  Student Final Evaluation Form- To be completed by community service site supervisor and turned in.  Work Experience Verification Form -To be completed by supervisor verifying hours.  Community Service Site Evaluation -To be completed by the student at the end of a community service project.

Questions?