INFORMATION REGARDING VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS

Students graduating in June 2020, are not required to complete 40 hours of community service. Community service hours that have been completed will be recorded on the report cards of graduating students.

All high school students from grades 9-11 (including students who are completing grade 8 in June 2020) are encouraged to continue to accumulate community involvement hours this summer, provided they meet safety recommendations set out by local health authorities (EOHU and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit). 

We understand that some volunteer opportunities may not be available this summer, so we encourage you to think about creative ways to support the community that do not put you or others at risk. This may include volunteer activities that can be completed at home or online. Some examples of possible activities include:

• A letter-writing campaign to seniors living in a nursing or retirement home
• Delivering groceries to elderly/immunocompromised neighbours or family members who do not want to go to busy grocery stores
• Sewing masks to donate to social agencies
• Virtual tutoring to help students, (including ESL students) practice reading, communication and/or other skills

Students may also visit https://www.sparkontario.ca/ or contact a charitable organization in their community to explore current volunteer opportunities.

During this time, it may be difficult for students to obtain a signature from their community involvement activity supervisor, so the exception has been made from June to August 2020 to allow a parent or guardian to sign for hours. Students should still include the name and phone number or email address of someone other than a parent who can verify the activity and hours completed. Students are asked to have their Community Involvement Record of activities that are completed over the summer submitted to their school by September 15, 2020. The form can be found at: https://www.cdsbeo.on.ca/students-parents/community-involvement/  

If you have any questions about Community Involvement Hours including whether or not an activity is acceptable, please contact your Guidance Counsellor before June 25th.