When it comes to earning Service-Learning hours, there are two options. Option A occurs when a teacher conducts a Service-Learning project in their club or classroom. While students may receive a time card, students are not required to submit an application to the Service-Learning coach. In addition, reflection occurs within the club or classroom, therefore students do not need to submit a reflection project to their Service-Learning coach in May.

Option B occurs when students are involved in service activities that are not part of an academic class.  The activities may be organized by a school club, a community organization, or one or more students with an original idea.  Examples are:

• Students clean up yards or make cookies for the elders of their church community.
• A student volunteers at a food bank with his/her family. (Note- "Feed My Starving Children" does not sign our time cards and therefore is not acceptable for Service-Learning. There is an exception if the student is volunteering with a formal group, such as girl/boy scouts or with their church, in which case a supervisor would be able to sign the time card.)
• A student volunteers at a local public library.
• A student volunteers as a camp counselor during the summer.
• A student serves as an assistant coach, timekeeper, or manager for youth sports.

 NOTE:Students registered as a “Teacher’s/Office Aide” may receive service hours by following Option B procedudres.

OPTION B ACTIVITIES HAVE TO BE PRE-APPROVED BY THE SERVICE LEARNING COACH BEFORE HOURS MAY COUNT TOWARD THE HONOR.

Students are responsible for completing the proper paperwork for Option B service activities: an application and time card for each service site and a summative reflection presentation on all of the year’s service.  The application and reflection instructions are available from the Service-Learning Coach or the website, but the timecard is only available from the Coach once the proposed activities have been approved. 

First, the student submits one application for each service site that outlines the planned activities.  Students may submit as many applications as necessary.

Second, the student maintains one time card for each service site with dates and times of the service hours.  The cards are due May 1.  Before the cards are turned in, the service hours on the card should be totaled and the adult supervisor should write a short evaluation of the student in the space provided and sign the card.

Third, the student presents a reflection project in May to a small audience that demonstrates what the student learned from the year’s service experiences.  Students will be notified of their school’s reflection date and should not miss this important event. If students do not complete a reflection project, their hours will not be recorded on their transcript.

The Option B application and reflection project instructions may be downloaded below.  The time card is only available from the Service-Learning Coach.

Student Checklist (to complete prior to Reflection Presentation beginning of May)

  Time cards: “Grand Total,” “Student Evaluation,” and “Supervisor Signature” MUST be completed by the supervisor prior to turning in your time card. All dates of service must be initialed by the supervising adult. Time cards that do not have both the “Student Evaluation” and “Supervisor Signature” completed WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

  ONE completed project for all Service Activities: see possible formats listed on the back of this paper. Project must include responses to the five topics listed. Try to keep your presentation under 5 minutes!

  Submit digital copy of project to Ms. Schreiber at bjschreiber@mpsaz.org. This will help save time the day of the actual reflection. (Posters/Scrapbooks do not need to submit a digital copy.)

PROCESS: You will go see your school Service Learning coach, Ms. Schreiber (room 403), in order to make an appointment for a reflection presentation on the date set up for your school.  Then, show up for that presentation appointment prepared to share what you have learned.  You will share your project with a small group of adults and other students. Projects will be presented in order of the signup sheet!

The purpose of the reflection project is for you to summarize, analyze, and evaluate the successes and challenges of the service activities you completed during the past year.  You will present one reflection project for all the service you performed during the year.  For example, you may have been involved with several service projects, submitted two or more applications, and turned in two or more time cards.  But, now, you just do one project that covers all your service activities.

You choose the format for the reflection project you want to present at your reflection appointment from the options in listed in the first section below. You must report on the five topics listed in the second section below to receive credit for your hours. Your presentation should be approx. 3-5 minutes long. See the back of this paper for details.

Students who do not present a reflection project will not receive any credit for any hours completed this year. See Ms. Schreiber in Room 403 if you have any questions.

SERVICE LEARNING REFLECTION PROJECT: 

THE FIVE POSSIBLE FORMATS

• Essay responding to the topics below
• Annotated poster (pictures and memorabilia with written answers to the questions)
• Scrap book or annotated photo album 
• Video or PowerPoint presentation
• Your choice: Get approval from your Service Learning Coach

NOTE: Your “speech” is based on one of these formats.  Just getting up and verbally answering the questions below is NOT an acceptable reflection presentation.

THE FIVE TOPICS THAT MUST BE INCLUDED

1. Where did you volunteer and who were you helping? 
2. What service activities did you perform at those sites?
3. What did you learn about other people and yourself from your service activities?
4. What skills did you learn that might help you in the future with your education, career, and volunteer plans?
5. What is your most memorable story from your service activities over the last year?  (It can be funny, sad, interesting, shocking, sweet, or any type.)