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Oakwood School

High School Service Learning Policy

High School Service Learning Program

Oakwood High School’s Service Learning Program includes service to both community and school. While service learning is similar to the concept of community service in that both models involve unpaid work benefiting the community, there are distinct differences. Primary among these is service learning’s integration of the service to the curricular goals of the school and significant reflection upon the impact of service on both student and community. Service learning provides academic, social, and emotional benefits to students, emphasizing civic responsibility, leadership, problem solving, hands-on application of academic ideas, and commitment to the community. 

Requirements

  1. Students must complete 20 hours of volunteer service each year at Oakwood.

  2.  At least 10 of the hours must be for a registered, nonprofit organization, outside of Oakwood. The nonprofit must have 501(c)(3), tax-exempt status. 

  3. Outside service may not be for pay or the benefit/credit of the student and must be performed for a registered nonprofit organization. Examples include community food pantries, religious institutions, scouting groups, local libraries, etc. Students must provide the 501(c)(3) tax id code on the Service Learning Form. This information can be found on the website of the nonprofit organization or by contacting the organization directly. It is the student’s responsibility to locate this information.

  4.  Service Learning Forms are available at oakwoodway.org, the Student Center, and Advisors. 

  5.  Opportunities for service will be posted in the Student Center.

  6. The hours must be signed off by the person supervising the service activity at the time of the service. Students must complete the two-sided form, including the reflection portion, and return the completed document to their Advisor as the hours are completed. 

  7.  Forms must be submitted by May 1.

  8.  Service hours completed during the summer will go towards the following year’s requirements, unless otherwise pre-approved by the student’s Advisor or Principal.

  9. Students are encouraged to do more than the minimum number of hours. All valid, completed service hours will be recorded in the student's permanent file and transcripts.

  10. Students will be introduced to the service learning model in Advisory and Assembly. Students will be encouraged to identify a need or concern in the school or larger community, research approaches to addressing the issue, and commit to relevant voluntary service. As the students complete their service, they will discuss the challenges and insights they have gained during their Advisory period. They will reflect on the service and complete a reflection project. The service should connect to one of the student’s courses or Advisory themes. The reflection and discussion will be completed during weekly Advisory sessions. 

  11. If a student does not submit the required documentation by May 1, the student will then be required to complete two service hours for every one left unfulfilled. As this is a requirement for graduation, the student must complete the Service Learning requirement before s/he will be allowed to graduate, no exceptions.