Introduction

All students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer community service before they graduate. These 40 hours can be completed at any time that they are enrolled at Guido. This requirement must be completed before they can be granted their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The main responsibility for organizing the program and making the required contact lies with the student and the parents. The purpose of this new government-initiated program is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and the role they can play in strengthening their local communities.

If students do not earn a minimum of 40 hours, they will not attend Commencement or receive their graduation diploma. Students and their parents must make sure that they;

·          complete the required number of hours;

·          make sure that they follow the criteria described below of activities that are eligible.

At the annual Commencement a special recognition is given to the grade twelve student who has accumulated the most volunteer hours. You are therefore encouraged to record all your hours.

Procedure

1.       The required forms are mailed to each household in the regular summer mailings.

2.       Students and their parents are to find a proper activity, and fill in the form

3.       The form must be signed by the person supervising the activity, a parent and the student.

4.       When the forms are handed into the office, the principal checks them to determine if the activity is eligible.

5.       If approved by the principal, the hours are added to the student records and an update is provided which each report card.

6.       If a student and his parents are not sure if an activity will meet the criteria, they should contact the principal for clarification.

Criteria

The community service activities can take place in a variety of settings, including business, nonprofit organizations, public sector institutions (including hospitals and old-age homes) and informal settings. This service should be people-focussed and include a sharing of time and talents. The activities must occur outside of regular school hours and outside of regular curriculum program expectations. Hours donated to fundraising events for charitable purposes are normally not acceptable. The hours will be acquired outside the students' immediate families.

The following activities are not eligible:

·          Extra-curricular school activities;

·          Activities that count towards a credit, like co-op;

·          Paid work;

·          Duties normally performed by a paid employee.

·          Duties normally performed in the home.

·          Factory work if the student is under 15 years of age.

·          Involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools or scaffolding.

The community service form is available for downloading as an Adobe Acrobat document. To view or download the form, please click the link below.