Dear Parents:
In addition to the regular academic requirements necessary for high
school graduation, USD 475 has also adopted a Service-Learning
requirement that is an important part of the curriculum
and which must be completed in order to receive a diploma from
Junction City High School.
Service-Learning is defined as: “…a method of teaching and
learning that enriches
your life by engaging you in meaningful
hands-on service to your community while giving you the opportunity
to gain valuable knowledge and skills that connect with your
classroom studies.”
At Junction City High School, we are committed to this mission and
will assist the students to successfully complete the
Service-Learning requirement.
Each student must complete a Service-Learning Assignment Form in
order to receive proper credit for their service efforts. A copy of
that form is attached to this letter and should give you a clear
explanation concerning the expectations and requirements of the
Service-Learning program. In addition, a running total of hours
earned appears on the student report card. We do accept accredited
Service-Learning hours from other schools if included as part of the
student’s official transcript.
We are often asked two questions, 1) what are acceptable
Service-Learning assignments/projects? And, 2) how many hours are
required? First, among many others, here are a few examples:
animal shelter, church activities, nursing home, Red Cross, special
community events, Elem/Middle school, and individual classroom
projects. We do inform students about available Service-Learning
opportunities. Secondly, here is the
break down of hours required:
-Enrolled as a student at Junction City High School for:
·
4 years – 35 hours required
·
3 years – 27 hours required
·
2 years – 18 hours required
·
1 year - 9 hours required
(Part of a year counts as an entire year. Minimum of 9 hours per
year required.)
Should you have questions or need any clarification, please contact
Junction City High School at (785) 717-4237. We are always ready to serve
you.
Respectfully,
Ernie Honas, Service-Learning Coordinator
INTRODUCTION TO SERVICE-LEARNING
SERVICE-LEARNING
offers you the time to:
-
Learn to be a leader.
-
Take action that will improve your
community, the nation, and the world.
-
Accomplish something meaningful.
-
Build new friendships.
-
Learn about the world in a dynamic
and interactive way.
-
Fulfill and exceed Academic
Standards.
-
Gain a sense of inner satisfaction
that naturally comes from doing something meaningful for others.
WHAT IS
SERVICE-LEARNING?
“Service-Learning is a method of teaching and
learning that enriches your
life by engaging you in meaningful
hands-on service to your community while
giving you the opportunity to gain
valuable knowledge and skills that connect
with your classroom studies.”
EXAMPLES OF
MEANINGFUL SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS/OPPORTUNITIES:
·
An INDIVIDUAL project and/or a VOLUNTEER opportunity that you find
interesting, that ties in with your classroom studies, that uses
your natural talents, where you give of your time freely and
willingly:
o
Here are some ideas for Individual projects:
-Science and Math:
Test and evaluate your community’s
drinking water.
-Reading and Writing:
Tutor a student in reading, writing,
composition, and spelling. The best way to learn is to teach.
-Social Science and Civics:
Teach a new American about voting,
citizenship, American government, our
laws and our customs.
-P.E.:
Coach a Special Olympics Team or little
league team.
-Communications Skills and Leadership: Help coach a debate team.
-Art:
Give art classes to people at a retirement home, or someone who
is blind or physically challenged.
-History:
Interview veterans, senior citizens,
record and document
their oral
history.
o
Here are some ideas for VOLUNTEER opportunities:
-Animal Shelter
-Boys and Girls Club
-Big Brothers/Big Sisters -Child
Care Center/Services
-Church Projects
-JCHS Dance Team Projects
-Elem/Middle School Projects -Fort
Riley Activities/Projects
-Habitat for Humanity
-Hospital
-High School Projects
-JROTC Projects
-City/School Library
-Milford Nature
-Nursing Home
-Parks and Recreation
-Red Cross
-Scouting Community Projects
-Tutoring -4-H
Community Projects
-YMCA/AFYMCA
-Youth United Way
-Community Special Events/Projects -Zoo
(Should you be unsure about the either the location
or the opportunity qualifying as Service-Learning, contact the JCHS
Service-Learning Coordinator.)
SPECIAL
ADVANTAGES FOR YOU THROUGH SERVICE-LEARNING:
·
You can include Service-Learning hours and projects/opportunities on
your resume’, job application and scholarship application.
·
May lead to a career. For example, a student may decide to become a
teacher after serving at a child care center, a nurse after serving
at a hospital, or prefer construction after working with Habitat for
Humanity.
·
Qualify for Scholarships, Awards, and Recognition.
·
Landing a nice job. For example, let’s say you want to apply at a
place you would enjoy working and the job comes down to you and
another applicant. You have included both your Service-Learning
project and hours on your application, the other person has no
Service-Learning. With everything else being equal, who do you
think will get hired? Why YOU of course!
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by
what we give.”
---Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
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