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Service Learning
Check out CPS's calendar of SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
REQUIREMENTS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The following overview contains essential information for you and your student regarding service-learning.
Purpose
According to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), service learning is a teaching and learning methodology that connects classroom curriculum with identified community issues and needs. Service learning engages students in projects that serve the community and builds their social and academic capacities.
Requirements
All CPS high school students must perform 40 hours of service in order to graduate. As of the 2004-2005 school year, all sophomores must complete 20 service hours in order to be promoted to junior status. Additionally, seniors must complete 40 service hours in order to graduate. Students should complete 10 hours each academic year to stay on track.
Service in the community
Students can go online and search a database designed by CPS (www.servicelearning.cps.k12.il.us). On this site, students will find a large list of agencies, a description of their mission, and contact information. Students can search opportunities by zip code and by issue area. These revised searches may help students better pinpoint more accessible opportunities and/or topics of interest.
Service hours in school
Opportunities periodically arise for students to volunteer for events at the school and teachers may also integrate service learning into the classroom. However, Students can perform ONLY 20 of their 40 service hours at Walter Payton. Participating in sports, clubs, or performance groups is not considered service-learning.
Guidelines
Service hours must be directly connected to a service project and do not include activities such as the following: attending a workshop, going on a field trip, working with a for-profit business, or working for a family member. If you have any questions regarding what is and is not acceptable, visit the following link: http://www.servicelearning.cps.k12.il.us/Guidelines.html
Completing service hours
Service hours become official after the student has completed the service-learning form, which includes: an agreement to be signed by the student, parent, and site contact, a time log of the hours worked, a pre-service preparation and a post-service reflection. Students will be credited with their service hours once this form has been completed and turned in to Ms. Spencer. Students may also pick up additional service-learning forms in Room 120.
Tracking hours
Students can confirm the number of service hours for which they have been credited by contacting Ms. Spencer. Additionally, service hours will be listed on all report cards.
If you have any questions regarding service-learning, please contact Ms. Spencer at 773-534-0034 ext. 40026 -or- spencers@wpcp.org.
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