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VCS Community Service Guidelines

Students of the School District of Palm Beach County are required to obtain a minimum of 20 community service hours to graduate from high school.  Students must complete community service hours upon successful completion of 8th grade and by high school graduation. Community service is also a requirement for many scholarships (i.e., Bright Futures) and college entrance programs. The purpose of community service is for students to engage in activities that help them develop an appreciation for the concept of service to the school or community. 

Sophomores: Community service hours documented and turned in on your VCS log will go towards your total for graduation. Do not duplicate these hours on a community service log.

IBDP Juniors and Seniors: Community service hours documented and turned in on ManageBac will go towards your total for graduation. Do not duplicate these hours on a community service log.

The following guidelines must be followed to participate in activities that are considered acceptable for community service:

• Community service is defined as non-paid volunteer work with a non-profit agency.
• Students may begin accumulating service hours as early as the summer prior to entry of the 9th grade year. 
• Service should benefit the community at large.  Working solely for an individual will not be acceptable.
• Hours must be documented in writing, either on a common community service log (generated by the School) or on letterhead from the organization being served.
• Parent notification of the community service requirement is necessary.  A school-generated notice will include the necessity of parental knowledge/supervision while students are engaged in community service activities.
• Students who do not have access to community service opportunities must be provided opportunities on the school campus. It is the student’s responsibility to alert the School Counseling Department that he/she is in need of school access to community service.
• Time spent organizing and collecting canned goods, clothing, or book drives for a community in need does qualify as community service.
• Service on behalf of a candidate for public office can be considered community service. 
  
  The following are examples that would not count as community service:
  x  Rehearsal time for participation in a fine arts or performing arts program.
  x  Practice time for sports and band.
  x  Club meetings to organize community service activities.
  x  Donating canned goods or items to gain community service hours.
  
  Parents cannot sign to verify their child’s participation in a community service activity.
  
  Schools should have the community service hours entered onto the student’s electronic records by 2 weeks after submittal.