What is Student Service Learning?

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Give a Little Time, Make a Big Difference

A state graduation requirement.

A teaching method that addresses real community need through meaningful service and curriculum-based learning.

• High quality service learning promotes civic knowledge, civic engagement, academic success, character and social development in students.

• SSL neither substitutes for, nor replaces service to families, neighbors, and/or fellow religious organization members.

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– meets a recognized need in the community.

– achieves curricular objectives.

– gains necessary knowledge and skills.

– plans ahead.

– works with existing service organizations.

– develops a sense of responsibility.

– reflects throughout the experience.

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A student involved in high quality Service Learning activities:

Requirement

• Beginning with the class of 2011, MCPS students will complete 75 SSL hours for graduation.

• MCPS students may begin to work on this graduation requirement the summer after completing grade 5. They continue to accrue hours throughout high school.

• The requirement is prorated according to first time enrollment in MCPS after grade 6.

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MCPS SSL Prorating

Class of 2011

Enrolled in MCPS Hours required for graduation

Grade 6 75

Grade 7 65

Grade 8 55

Grade 9 45

Grade 10 35

Grade 11 20

Grade 12 10

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1. Specific academic courses. – grade 6 Science– grade 7 English– grade 8 Social Studies– some high school electives

2. School-sponsored clubs

and organizations with service activities.

3. Pre-approved community organizations.

How can students earn SSL hours?

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An entertainment event (play, concert, game) qualifies for SSL if it includes a charitable component:

Participation in School Sponsored Clubs and Organizations

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a target audience is involved.ora portion of the proceeds go to a charitable cause.ordonations for a charitable cause are collected for later delivery to a nonprofit organization.

Examples of School SSL Activities

TUTOR•Support other students in academic areas.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERAttend to children while parents meet for school-related functions.

PARTICIPANT• Design events that increase cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVEProvide student voice on school committees and meetings (PTSA, Guidance Advisory Board, Back- to-School Nights, and Open Houses)

STUDENT AIDE•Support instructional program as part of daily schedule

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVEProvide student voice on MSDE advisory board OR Provide student voice on MCPS workgroup/taskforce, etc.

!This SSL activity MAY be performed during the instructional day.

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* Most service must occur outside the instructional day

Participation with Approved Community Organizations

• All SSL must be completed under the supervision of nonprofit, tax-exempt community organizations.

• For profit nursing homes, and assisted living facilities are the only exceptions to the nonprofit rule. All SSL activities must directly contact the

patients/residents of these facilities. 9

All Community SSL Participation Must be Preapproved

•Are secular in nature.•Occur in a public place.•Are supervised by a nonprofit representative. (not a parent or relative)•Are not compensated financially.•Are not longer than 8 hours in a 24 hour period.•Earn one hour of SSL for one hour of service.

Preapproved with MCPS form 560-50 confirmed in advance by the SSL coordinator.

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Listed as Pre Approved on www.mcpsssl.org

All preapproved SSL activities in the community:

OR

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Three Phases of SSL:

1. Preparation

2. Action

3. Reflection

1. Preparation

Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for service.

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• Direct service provides face-to-face contact with the service recipients. These activities include tutoring young children; serving meals at homeless shelters; working with the elderly in nursing homes.

• Indirect Service meets a need with no direct contact. These activities include food & clothing collections and environmental projects.

• Advocacy shares viewpoints on issues of interest. These activities include letter writing, public comment, and participating in community activities.

2. Action

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Encourages students to rethink:

• the need they have addressed.

• the service they have performed.

• the impact of their service on the community.

• what they learned about themselves.

3. Reflection

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Every Middle and High School has:

• An SSL Coordinator who maintains SSL records on each student.

• MCPS SSL forms 560-50, 560-51. (these forms can be downloaded from www.mcpsssl.org)

• SSL publications to share.

• System-wide guidelines to follow.

• An administrator who handles SSL disputes.

• Announcements regarding opportunities and system-wide deadlines for forms.

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Student Responsibilities

1. Submit MCPS Form 560-50, Application for Student Service Learning Special Activity to the SSL coordinator for approval prior to performing service with organizations not listed as pre-approved.

2. Students submit MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification to the SSL coordinator after summer service, and after first and second semester service.

3. Check SSL status on report card every 9 weeks and report discrepancies to the SSL coordinator immediately.

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MCPS Awards for Exceptional Student Service Learning

The Superintendent’s Student Service Learning AwardMiddle school students who complete and document 75 or more hours of service from May 2 to May 1 qualify. Every student who qualifies is awarded a certificate and pin.

Certificate of Meritorious Service High school seniors who graduate with 260 or more SSL hours receive this award from the Maryland State Department of Education and MCPS.

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• supports high quality service-learning experiences for all students.

• promotes habits of civic participation, responsibility, and service.

• encourages full

participation in

American democratic

life.

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The MCPS SSL Program:

Give a Little Time, Make a Big Difference!