Guidelines for

Christian Service/Mentor Program

General Guidelines

     You have responsibilities to your family that cannot truly be considered as fulfilling the "service" requirement.  Such tasks as cutting the lawn, raking the grass, carrying out garbage, cleaning the garage, babysitting for your brother or sister are expected of you as a member of the family.  Service is performing a task for someone who is in true need, for which you are not reimbursed (given pay).

     Please be honest with yourself, and in recording your hours.  Our requirement is aimed at developing a sense of "outreach" to others "in need."  This may be demonstrated for members of your "extended family" -- the elderly, the homebound, the sick or disabled, the poor, the less fortunate, in your community, parish/church, school, and family.  It is when we recognize that WE have been so richly blessed that we want to share our time and talent with all who are in greater need.  Become involved in new ways; activities in which you have never participated.  In cases where you, the student, have questions as to the acceptability of an activity, please check with your teacher/mentor before assuming it is acceptable.

     Parents, as partners in the education process, are partners in service activities.  Parents are encouraged to support their son/daughter in achieving the goals of our program.

Specific Guidelines

1.  Faculty mentors and students will meet once quarterly, for 10-15 minutes, for the purpose of encouraging, and guiding the student into service that would be appropriate to their ages and experience.

2.  Faculty mentors will review the student's Service Log once a quarter.

3.  It will not be the school's responsibility to organize the student's hours, nor will the school provide transportation.  The school will announce service opportunities over the PA, and will offer a sign up sheet in the main office.

4.  School fundraisers will not be considered as fulfilling this requirement.  (e.g., Band Tag Days; Athletic Booster fundraisers; FOSLIN Drive; the spring fundraiser; etc.) since the students themselves are the beneficiaries of such fundraisers.

5.  Service hours from boy/girl scouts and Camp Fire will be allowable; however, hours accrued to achieve a specific rank or award will be excluded.

6.  If a student is reimbursed for service rendered, they may only count the hours if they donate the money they received for that service to charity (a charity of the student's choice).

7.  The individual student and his/her parent will be asked to sign their full name (not initial the student's log sheet vouching for the validity of the service work.  In particular cases the party receiving the service my validate the student log as well.

8.  Students may not count more than eight (8) hours to one particular activity in a year.  This will insure that the student participates in at least four different activities (8+8+8+1) in a give year, while allowing a student to, to at the same time, participate in some service he/she enjoyed without penalty of not allowing the hours to be counted.

9.  The maximum number of hours a student is permitted during any year is 30 (minimum of 25 hours).  The reason is that as a student matures, their outlook on life's experiences changes.  Service should complement this growth experience.

10.  It is encouraged that the student keep their faculty mentor throughout their four years.

11.  To have summer hours apply for the approaching school year, only hours counted after the final day of the school year will be considered.  Summer service logs will be available in the main office before the final day of school.

12.  Regarding Athletics:

       a.  Students may fulfill only 8 hours of their service time keeping stats or helping in athletics.  (no matter how many sports or hours you actually spend).

       b.  Mat Maids, Cheerleaders may not use their activity to meet the service requirements.  All activities are part of your responsibility for which you already receive recognition.

13.  Class Activities -- activities such as decorating, making signs, etc. may NOT be used as service time.  the focus of these activities is to get as many of the class members as possible to participate.

14.  Pep Band may not use their involvement for service hours.  Students already receive a free ticket which he/she would otherwise have to pay for.  Playing time is only between games.