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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GUIDELINES

...Working toward your Secondary School Graduation diploma...

 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

 

[1]Graduates from the Episcopal Cathedral School will exhibit both academic aptitudes for higher education and a variety of intellectual skills that go beyond college entrance requirements. The student will have gained an appreciation for learning in general and aesthetic and academic appreciation. The student will have developed habits of intellectual inquiry in quest of religious truth and an informed response to issues of social injustice.

 

[2]Graduates of ECS will be exposed to various experiences that lead to their social growth:  a deep sense of honesty, fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of all individuals.  The desire to have a positive influence on the lives of others while engaging in supportive and mutually beneficial interactions.  The desire to be collaborative participants who are willing to interact with others to accomplish goals and tasks.  The willingness and desire to become involved in their communities, country, and the world in a responsible, civil, and ethical manner.

*The above information is from the Profile of the Graduate

 

Graduation Requirement:

Every high school student at The Episcopal Cathedral School must complete a minimum of one-hundred hours of community involvement activities as a high school graduation requirement.

 

Purpose:

The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play in future social development.  To inspire young people to make valuable contributions by supporting and strengthening their communities. The community involvement requirement is also an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions that our young people make in their own communities.

 

Timing:

The activities to fulfill this requirement can begin at any time after a student graduates from the eighth grade. These activities must be completed after scheduled class time; they must not be

 

part of a credit course; they must be unpaid activities; they must total a minimum of, at least twenty-five hours per year, or a total of one-hundred hours completed by the end of grade twelve

 

[1] The Profile of the Graduate - ECS

 

[2] The Profile of the Graduate - ECS

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

 

 

The following list of activities may not be chosen as community involvement activities and are therefore ineligible activities. An ineligible activity is an activity that:

  • Is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g. Cooperative Education, job shadowing, work experience).

  • Takes place during school hours, except during the student’s lunch break or spare periods.

  • Takes place in a logging environment, if the student is under 16.

  • Takes place in a factory, if the student is under 15.

  • Takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under 14 and is not accompanied by an adult.

  • Would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace.

  • Involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding (ex. power mower, hedge trimmers, etc.)

  • Involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons.

  • Involves the handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ex. asbestos, lead, dangerous chemicals, toxic materials, etc).

  • Requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government.

  • Involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables.

  • Consists of duties normally performed in the home or personal recreational activities.

  • Involves activities for a court-ordered program (ex. community-service program for young offenders, probationary program). 

DEADLINES

 

The deadline for seniors is May 4, 2015. Seniors may be unable to participate in senior activities if their documentation forms are not turned in on the May 1st deadline.

The last day for underclassmen to turn in their forms in order to guarantee accurate

hours on the final report card is May 8, 2015. The hours on forms received after

May 8, 2015 will not appear on the final report card and will be processed in August.

Students may complete community hours during the summer recess. Please turn in summer forms for completed work during the first week back to school in August.

 

Getting Started

Students under 18 should plan activity in consultation with parents/guardians. The activity should involve service to others. The activity should fall within the guiding principles and should be identified on the list of Eligible activities, or Possible Community areas provided by the school and part of this document.

Students should confirm the details of the activity with the community sponsor who will be responsible for the activity, and share those details with the program coordinator at ECS to ensure adequacy of activity.

The Student Record of Community Service Hours must be signed by the
community sponsor, and submitted to Program Coordinator at the school for accreditation.

 

 

GOOD LUCK!

MAY YOU ENJOY THIS EXPERIENCE OF SENSIBILITY AND GROWTH

 

 

 

 

Areas where Community Hours can be completed within ECS

 

 

Although the main purpose of the Community Service project is to engage students with the external community in order that they recognize their civic responsibility, it is allowed for students to render services within the school community.  Some of the areas where student may provide service are, but no limited to the list below. 

 

Agreements with the teacher and approval from the principal must be obtained prior to commencement of any task. 

 

 

After school program

  • Assist AP teacher with younger students’ homework

  • Assist PE teacher in any sports related task after regular school hours

 

Direct teacher assistance

 

  • Working directly with teacher to progress activities

  • Working directly with teacher for school improvement

  • Working in the library organizing books, data entry, etc.

 

Direct office assistance

 

  • Any assistance required by the administration

 

 

*These services are acceptable as long as they are performed outside of regular class schedule. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Students:

Students will plan and select appropriate community involvement activities in consultation with their parents and/or teachers.  Student must complete and submit the required documentation according to standard requirements. Students are also responsible for completing their community involvement hours to their best ability in a manner that demonstrates a positive work ethic and respect for others.

 

The following checklist of behaviors is recommended:

  • Punctuality

  • Appropriate dress and grooming

  • The use of good manners

  • A willingness to listen to instructions

  • The ability to follow through on commitments

  • The ability to maintain confidentiality

 

Parents/Guardians:

Parents/guardians should provide assistance to their child in the selection of community involvement activities and are encouraged to communicate with the community sponsor (person or organization) and the school Principal or program coordinator if they have any questions or concerns.

A parent/guardian must sign the required documentation if the student is under the age of eighteen years.

It is important to select activities that will provide for the student’s safety and well-being. Parent/guardian involvement is crucial in ensuring that activities take into account the following:

 

  • Location of activity and hours of operation

  • Health and safety

  • Age appropriateness

  • Hazardous materials or substances

  • Activities that require a police check

  • Nature of Work Force

 

 

 

Program Coordinators:
Program Coordinators are required to develop a list of approved activities. Coordinators must develop the form on which students list their planned activities and the completed activities. Program Coordinators are also responsible for collecting and storing personal information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

School Principals:
Principals will ensure that the description of the community involvement requirement and an outline of the policies on and procedures for completing the requirements are included in the school course calendar. In the case where a student proposes to undertake an activity that is not on the approved list, the school principal will determine whether the student’s proposed activity is acceptable, in consultation with the appropriate supervisory officer.

 

The principal will also indicate on the Student Transcript when the student has met the community involvement requirement.

 

Community Sponsors:
Persons and organizations within the community may be asked by the student and/or Program Coordinator to sponsor a community involvement activity. It is crucial that students are able to fulfill their community involvement activities in a safe environment. Any training, equipment, or special preparation that is required for the activity should be provided by the person or organization. The person overseeing the student’s activity must verify the date(s) and the number of hours completed on the Student Record of Community Service Hours, and proceed to sign the sheet for approval of the hours worked.

 

 

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES


 

The following list of activities may be chosen as community involvement activities and are therefore eligible activities:

 

  • Fundraising – includes canvassing, walk-a-thons, celebrity games, gift wrapping, gala events and sales for charitable purposes (Not during scheduled class time);

  • Sports/Recreation – includes coaching, helping to organize winter carnivals, parades and summer fairs(not during scheduled class time);

  • Community Events – includes helping to organize special meets and games, and volunteering as a leisure buddy or pool assistant;

  • Community Projects – includes participating in organized food drives, or support services for community groups;

  • Environmental Projects – includes participating in community clean-ups, flower/tree planting, recycling and general beautification projects and activities;

  • Volunteer Work with Seniors – includes assisting at seniors’ residences (e.g. serving snacks, helping with activities, or participating in visiting and reading programs);

  • Committee Work – includes participation on advisory boards, neighborhood associations and regional associations;

  • Religious Activities – includes participation as a volunteer in programs for children, child minding, Sunday School assistance, special events and clerical tasks;

  • Youth Programs – includes volunteer assistance with the operation of youth programs such as 4H, Scouts, Guides, drop-in centers, breakfast programs, March Break programs, Leaders in Training, summer playground activities and camps;

  • Office/Clerical Work – includes volunteer activity in reception, computer work and mailings for individuals or groups providing charitable or general community benefit;

  • Work with Animals – includes volunteer involvement with animal care, horseback riding programs, or volunteer assistance at a local zoo or petting farm;

  • Arts and Culture – includes volunteer assistance at a gallery, performing arts production or program, or in a community library program;

 

Activities for Individuals – includes any volunteer activity that assists someone who requires assistance for shopping, tutoring, housekeeping, writing letters or transcribing, or involves; hospital visitation, voluntary involvement with chronic care, or service as a volunteer reading buddy.
 

School Community Service – may include service within the school community that provides benefit to others that takes place outside the regular school day. The school Principal, in advance of the commencement of the activity, must approve these school-based activities.


    Eligible Activities

Where an event or activity does not clearly fall within the guidelines, the School Principal has the discretion to approve or reject any activity or event that does not conform to the guiding principles and ethical standards for approved areas of involvement for students

Corazón de Jesus Nursing Home

500 Calle Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, PR

787-648-3847

Sr. Heriberto Pérez, Director

21 pacientes

 

 

 

 

Calle Ruiz Belvis #13 Urb. Floral Park  Hato Rey, PR

787-993-1813

Sra. Wanda Narváez

65 paciente

 

 

                                               

Hospital de Veteranos

VAMC San Juan, PR 00921

641-7582 x 11531

 

Sr. Edgardo Vargas

 

     

704 Calle Monserrate

Parada 16½
Santurce, PR 00910 
787-724-4051

Other Possible Community areas to complete project

 

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 (as volunteer, not member)

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

Girl Scouts of America (as volunteer, not member)

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

Public Schools in our area

Township recreation departments

Walk-a-Thons / marathons

Youth groups

 

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