WHS Community Service Requirement
Why do I have to do community service?
Community service is an opportunity for students to become active citizens by developing an appreciation for the responsibility we all have as citizens to contribute to the improvement of the communities in which we live. In doing so, students will also have the opportunity to enhance their personal growth, build self-esteem and develop their social skills. Weymouth High School wants all students to become active citizens, as such community service is a graduation requirement.
What is the definition of community service?
Community service is an activity which is:
- Performed for no pay or academic credit.
- Completed at a nonprofit agency or organization or for the benefit of a pre-approved civic engagement, community initiative, and/or community institution. (Community Service opportunities at for- profit organizations can only be approved if the service is not performed for the purpose of creating or increasing profit for that organization. All proposed community service opportunities at for-profit organizations are subject to ILT review and approval.
- Beneficial to at least one other person and/or the larger community.
- Separate from a service activity for which the student is already receiving credit (i.e. academic, Scouts, religious, National Honor Society) or those mandated by a court or school disciplinary action.
Community Service for which a student or a group (club, team, class etc.) receives academic credit, money or a gift of any kind for services rendered (directed to themselves or their group or their family), will not be considered an approved community service. Any exception to this would be at the discretion of the Weymouth High School Instructional Leadership Team.
How many hours of community service will I have to do?
Students must complete at least 10 hours of approved community service activities each year (grades 9-12) for a total of at least 40 hours by the end of the first semester of their senior year. Students can begin earning community service hours during the summer prior to entering each grade (after June 1st) as long as they choose a pre-approved community service activity listed on the WHS Community Service website. While students are encouraged to engage in more than 10 hours of community service per year, any student who accumulates in excess of 10 per year CANNOT apply those excess hours to subsequent years. ALL community service activities not already listed on the website must be preapproved prior to any hours being recorded. Community Service hours for each year must be completed by June 1st of that school year. Seniors must have completed all hours by the end of first semester senior year unless they have made prior arrangements.
What if I do not complete my community service hours each year?
Community Service is a graduation requirement and a yearly obligation. If you do not complete ten hours during the year, you must fulfill your obligation before hours are credited for the current year. Students who do not fulfill this requirement will receive an obligation. Students with obligations are exempt from participating in all social events, activities, and privileges (such as homecoming, dances, some assemblies, proms, senior events, parking passes, and other such events as determined by administration). All required hours must be completed by the end of your first semester senior year.
Can I do my community service hours during the school day?
Students in good academic standing may be eligible to complete community service hours during study hall or during those times when senior privileges would allow students to leave school during the school day. At no time will students be allowed to perform community service hours during class time.
How will I choose a community service activity?
Students will choose their community service activities from a pre-approved list of community service opportunities available on the school website. Clubs, teams and classes are encouraged to submit community service opportunities. The list will also include opportunities from external organizations. Students may also develop their own community service activity. ALL community service activities not already listed on the website must be pre-approved prior to any hours being recorded.
The following examples would NOT be approved community service:
Example 1: If a group receives money or a gift for a service performed, and the money or gift benefits the group and its members, this is not considered an approved community service activity. This is fundraising.
Example 2: Performing a duty for another member of your group including your family or friend, such as babysitting or mowing an uncle’s lawn will not be considered community service.
What if I want to create my own community service opportunity?
Students have access to a Pre-Approval form on the Weymouth High School website. If their community service activity is not already listed as a pre-approved community service activity on the website, then the Pre-Approval form must be filled out completely and submitted for approval prior to any hours being recorded.
Who approves my community service activity, if it is not listed as a pre-approved community service activity on the website?
Students will submit their pre-approval form to the Instructional Leadership Team for approval. ILT meets twice a month and will consider all pre-approval forms. Students will be notified of the results by the office.
Can my community service activity be incorporated into my Capstone Project?
If you would like to explore the possibility of incorporating your community service activities into your Capstone Project, you must consult with your Capstone Project advisor.
How do I get credit for community service hours I have completed?
Students must complete a community service Activity Form and submit it to the Gold office in order to receive credit for the community service hours completed. Only preapproved community service activities (listed on our website or submitted for pre-approval by the student) will be accepted and applied toward the student’s community service requirement. A student’s hours will be tracked on Weymouth High School’s student database system, X2. Hours will also be printed on progress reports and report cards.
What if I transfer into Weymouth High School? How many hours of community service will I need to do?
Students entering Weymouth High School after grade 9 are responsible for the completion of a prorated number of hours:
- thirty (30) hours for those entering sophomore year (10 each year)
- twenty (20) hours for those entering junior year (10 each year)
- ten (10) hours for those entering senior year
- Students who leave and return to WHS will be considered responsible for the hours from the previous enrollment at a rate of ten (10) hours per year.
- Students who enroll during their senior year must complete the number of hours equal to the number of months in attendance (i.e. enroll in Sept. = 10 months = 10 hours, enroll in Dec. = 7 months = 7 hours, enroll in Feb. = 5 months = 5 hours)
Where can I get the forms that I need?
The Community Service Activity form and the Pre-Approval form can be found on the Weymouth High School website.
What happens if I do not complete my community service requirement?
If a student has outstanding community service hours, an obligation is filed which will impact a student’s ability to attend events and purchase parking permit. Senior students will not be allowed to attend senior events if community service hours are not complete. You are required to successfully complete your community service hours in order to graduate according to School Committee policy.