LRUHS Community Service Guidelines
Below you will find crucial information regarding policies, procedures, requirements, criteria, credits, and more. Please read this before completing hours. Any questions should be directed to the Community Service Coordinator, Katie Powers, at [email protected].
Required Hours
Students are required to earn ½ credit (equivalent to 80 hours) of qualified community service to receive a LR diploma. Additional credits may be earned for additional hours. Community service can be started as soon as a student graduates from 8th grade. Hours are adjusted for transfer students.
Students are required to earn ½ credit (equivalent to 80 hours) of qualified community service to receive a LR diploma. Additional credits may be earned for additional hours. Community service can be started as soon as a student graduates from 8th grade. Hours are adjusted for transfer students.
Additional Credit
Students may earn an additional 1 credit (160 hours) in community service. This will be awarded in ¼ credit increments (40 hours). This means students could earn a total of 1.5 credits in community service, equivalent to 240 hours.
Students may earn an additional 1 credit (160 hours) in community service. This will be awarded in ¼ credit increments (40 hours). This means students could earn a total of 1.5 credits in community service, equivalent to 240 hours.
Criteria
To contribute towards the LR graduation requirement, community service must meet the criteria below. The information below is an overview and is not exhaustive.
Several guidelines need to be met in order for community service to qualify towards Lake Region’s graduation requirement. They are as follows:
To contribute towards the LR graduation requirement, community service must meet the criteria below. The information below is an overview and is not exhaustive.
Several guidelines need to be met in order for community service to qualify towards Lake Region’s graduation requirement. They are as follows:
- Students may not receive compensation for performing community service. If a student is offered a gift, such as a mug or t-shirt, this is acceptable. If a student receives any money, the hours would no longer qualify.
- Community service needs to benefit the community and not a private, for-profit organization like a business. Students cannot provide free labor to a business or for-profit organization.
- All proceeds raised at a fundraiser that a student volunteers at must be donated to benefit a nonprofit or charitable organization that serves the community.
- Fundraising should not benefit businesses, churches, students, or clubs (i.e. prom, yearbook, class trip).
- Work must be verifiable. The student must be able to present the name, phone number, and email address of the community service supervisor/mentor.
- Court mandated community service
- Service promoting a political party or candidate
- Activities that are course requirements
- Service for a student’s household
- Family related activities (Please see Community Service Coordinator for information about some exceptions.)
Liability Statement
Lake Region UHS does not support or encourage any student to engage in service that might involve risk. LRUHS does not assume responsibility for risks taken by a community service participant working with their community mentor. Assuming the opportunity meets LRUHS criteria for community service, selection of the organization and tasks performed are at the discretion of a student, parents/guardians, and their community supervisor, who should all assess any potential risks.
Even though volunteer service is not employment, Lake Region does not support or encourage any student to engage in any volunteer work that would violate Vermont's laws regarding 'Hours of Work' or 'Prohibited Occupations' for 14 and 15 year old minors, or would be considered 'Occupations Particularly Hazardous for the Employment of Minors Between 16 and 18 Years of Age.'
Lake Region UHS does not support or encourage any student to engage in service that might involve risk. LRUHS does not assume responsibility for risks taken by a community service participant working with their community mentor. Assuming the opportunity meets LRUHS criteria for community service, selection of the organization and tasks performed are at the discretion of a student, parents/guardians, and their community supervisor, who should all assess any potential risks.
Even though volunteer service is not employment, Lake Region does not support or encourage any student to engage in any volunteer work that would violate Vermont's laws regarding 'Hours of Work' or 'Prohibited Occupations' for 14 and 15 year old minors, or would be considered 'Occupations Particularly Hazardous for the Employment of Minors Between 16 and 18 Years of Age.'