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

2. 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

3. 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
Gold
Platinum 225+
Scholarships often tied to community service
Local and National service awards

4. 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

5. Programs and Organizations
Approved list of organizations
bulletin board in Building B next to student store
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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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