Almaguin Highlands Secondary School Community Involvement (Volunteer Hours)
Click Here for Printable – Community Involvement Activities – Volunteer Hours Form
WHO & WHY?
- All high school students must complete a minimum of 40 hours starting in the summer of grade 8, with completion prior to graduation.
- This has been added as a formal graduation requirement to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility. To increase awareness of the contribution they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities, and to develop a positive image and a greater sense of identity within their community.
WHAT?
- Community involvement is a graduation requirement.
- It is a commitment of a minimum of 40 hours (it may be a variety of activities totalling 40 hrs).
- Students must not replace paid workers.
- Activities must be non-paid and out of class time, must not be part of a course and must not be court ordered.
- This is student directed. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the activity and agreement.
- A signed form must be submitted to Student Services which details the activity and number of hours earned (see last page).
WHEN?
- After school, at lunch, during spares, during school holidays, during summer vacation.
ACCEPTABLE (ELIGIBLE) ACTIVITIES BY GROUP
A) COMMUNITY
Fundraising
· Canvassing for organizations such as Heart & Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society;
· Walk-a-thons, special events and sales, auctions, bingos, 30 Hour Famine.
Sports and Recreation
· Coaching (e.g. soccer, gymnastics, skating), Special Olympics, pool assistant;
· Assisting with tournaments, sports camps and clinics;
· Timekeeping, scorekeeping, and refereeing.
Community Events and Projects
· Helping to organize the winter carnival, summer fairs, festivals and parades;
· Food Bank, food drives, Meals on Wheels, 4H activities, seasonal events;
· Shows and Sales, such as antiques and crafts.
Seniors’ Residence Assistance
· Serving snacks, helping with crafts, visiting, reading.
Committees
· Organizational role in: advisory board, neighbourhood associations, regional associations, School committees *SIMPLY BEING A MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE, CLUB OR ORGANIZATION IS NOT ELIGIBLE*
Cultural and Religious Activities
· Art gallery, playing music, library, museums, heritage site volunteer activities, special events, clerical tasks;
· Sunday School, Youth Groups, Bible Camps;
· Annual bazaars and dinners.
Children and Youth Activities
· Drop-in centers, breakfast programs, after school programs, Winter Break programs, summer playgrounds, summer camps, child care centers, after school programs, babysitting;
· Tutoring younger students;
· Big Brothers/Sisters;
· Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts;
· YMCA.
Assisting Individuals in the Community
· Helping seniors shop;
· Tutoring at a non-profit organization;
· Chronic care visits;
· Reading buddies;
· Helping at hospitals and retirement homes;
· Working with the handicapped;
· Lawn maintenance and snow shoveling for seniors;
· Shelters and food banks.
Animal Care
· Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, Humane Society.
Clean-Up Programs
· Tree planting;
· Recycling programs;
· Highway and parks clean-up projects
B) SCHOOL NON-CREDIT EXTRACURRICULAR (must not be during class time)
Organizing and assisting with school activities such as:
· Grade 9 welcome, students’ council, school art shows, sports events, drama festival, fundraisers, food drive, parents’ night;
· Special events authorized by Student Services/Principal;
· Tutoring younger students.
UNACCEPTABLE (INELIGIBLE) ACTIVITIES
· Cooperative education requirements, any portion of a class or course, job shadowing, work experience;
· Activities that take place during time allotted for class during the school day;
· Activities in a mining or logging environment when students are under 16 years of age;
· Activities which take place in a workplace if the students is under 14 years of age;
· Activities which take place in a factory if the student is under 15 years of age;
· Activities that involve administration of medication or medical procedures to other persons;
· Activities that involve the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
· Activities that include the handling of hazardous materials or substances;
· Activities that require the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
· Activities that involve banking or the handling of securities, or other valuables;
· Activities your parents would normally require you to do at home (i.e. daily chores);
· Court ordered activities (e.g. community-service program for young offenders, probationary program).
If a student proposes to undertake an activity that is not on the board’s list of approved activities, the principal will determine whether the student’s proposed activity is acceptable in consultation with the appropriate supervisory officer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To View Near North District School Board policies please visit the website at: www.nearnorthschools.ca
To view the Almaguin Highlands Secondary School website please visit: www.nearnorthschools.ca/almaguin/
Insurance:
· The Board’s liability insurance will protect the students and community sponsors for liability lawsuits for damages or injuries to a third party that may arise from the student’s volunteer activities. The liability insurance does not cover negligence on behalf of the community sponsors involvement in the program. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that their own liability insurance is in place.
- Students are not covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in the event of personal injury.
- It is expected that community sponsors will provide students with safety instructions, safety equipment if necessary, training and supervision.
- Students are encouraged to participate in the Student Insurance Plan which is part of their registration package in September.
The form will be available from the website soon. Completed forms are to be submitted to Student Services prior to May 31st of the students’ graduating year.