Objective

The Presentation Sisters' motto, "Not Words, But Deeds," forms the foundation for the 7th and 8th grade Service Learning Program (S.L.P.). This program is designed to encourage a sense of responsibility, compassion for those in need, and commitment to living out the message of Jesus by providing and monitoring opportunities for students to serve the community.

Requirements

Hours:

Service learning hours are a required component of the 7th and 8th grade Religion curriculum and therefore a part of the Religion grade each quarter. To receive full credit, each student is required to complete a minimum of four hours per quarter. 8th grade students who meet each quarterly requirement and complete 30 or more total hours for the year are eligible to receive a Service Award at graduation. 7th grade students who meet each quarterly requirement and complete 24 or more total hours for the year are eligible to receive a Service Award Certificate at the end of the school year.

Quarters:

Closing dates (at 3:15 P.M.) for each quarter are as follows: 1st Quarter 10/22/10 2nd Quarter 01/14/11 3rd Quarter 04/01/11 4th Quarter 05/20/11 (8th grade only) 4th Quarter 05/27/11 (7th grade only)

Student Responsibility

Students are notified of most service projects via email from the Service Learning Program coordinators and/or through the homeroom announcements. Students sign up, again either via email or through the homeroom, and will be contacted to confirm their assignments. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the S.L.P. coordinator, in a timely manner, if he/she is unable to complete the assignment.

Volunteers are expected to:

1. Arrive for their assignments on time.
2. Check in with the adult supervisor in charge.
3. Listen well and follow directions.
4. Be respectful, work quickly and professionally.

Any complaints or negative comments by the adult supervisor regarding student volunteer behavior may result in a reduction of the hours recorded.

Student volunteers must bring a Completed Hours Form or an approved Independent Project Proposal Form (depending upon the project type and available at www.stchris.us), to the assignment. Once the assignment is finished, students must have the appropriate form signed by the event supervisor. The supervisor may not be a parent of the student. The form must be turned in to the S.L.P. collection area in the student?s homeroom.

General Project Guidelines

• A maximum of four hours may be earned for each individual event (except for Antique Show)
• Additional maximum hour limitations exist for some projects
• Parents may not approve the Completed Hours Form for their own child
• Hours performed after 3:15 P.M. on the quarterly closing date will be posted in the following quarter
• Approved summer projects will be announced during the 4th quarter of the school year
• These are usually limited to the Festival and Vacation Bible Camp
• Students may not arrange independent projects for S.L.P. credit during the summer

Pre-Approved Projects:

Students sign up to volunteer as these St. Christopher events are announced, turning in the signed Completed Hours Form when finished.

• Ladies Guild
• Holy Name Society
• St. Christopher Parish
• St. Christopher School
• Parish Outreach Pantry
• School Development Office
• Summer Hours: Parish Picnic, Vacation Bible Camp

In addition, students may work for the following agencies and activities, but must follow the guidelines for each (minimum age requirements, appointments, parental supervision, fund raising, etc.). It is recommended that students review each agency?s guidelines and procedures posted on their websites prior to volunteering. A signed Completed Hours Form must be submitted when the project is finished.

Sacred Heart Community Center	volunteers@sacredheartcommunityservice.org
Santa Clara Humane Society	www.hssv.org
Loaves and Fishes	www.loavesfishes.org
Inn Vision	www.innvision.org
Second Harvest Food Bank	www.2ndharvest.net
Health Trust Meals on Wheels	www.healthtrust.org
Presentation Center	volunteer@presentationcenter.org
St. Christopher Parish Outreach Office	Must be approved by Mrs. Melander 269-3932 Maximum of one hour per quarter for three dozen cookies
St. Christopher Extended Care Academic Tutoring	Must be approved by Mrs. Linquist two days prior to project May not be performed during last two weeks of the quarter Maximum of three hours per quarter for academic tutoring
St. Christopher Plastics Recycling Program	Must be approved by Ms. Roben Maximum of three hours per quarter for preparing plastics for recycling

Independent Projects:

Students who wish to perform S.L.P. hours for an agency NOT on the pre-approved list must submit a S.L.P. Independent Project Proposal Form (available at www.stchris.us) to Mrs. Brassill for approval one week prior to the event. A separate Proposal Form must be submitted for each event, even though the agency/event may have been approved in the past. These projects may include service performed in rest homes/nursing facilities or for non-profit agencies.

The following projects will not be approved:

• Service hours performed for friends, neighbors, or family members
• Service hours performed during the summer (other than those indicated above)
• Sports related coaching, refereeing, or working in food service
• Boy/Girl Scout activities where a badge or certificate is being earned

Service Learning Coordinators: