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Issue 55
COMMUNITY SERVICE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST A
REQUIREMENT
Healdsburg High School now requires community service
hours as a part of graduation requirements. Current Seniors are required
to complete 30 hours of community service during the course of their 4
years at the High School, and subsequent students need to complete 40
hours. The process is relatively simple; after performing some community
service job, a student picks up a form at the counseling office, has their
parents and the agency where they volunteered sign the form, and return
the form to their counselor. Each student's hours are recorded.
There are no specific criteria for where a student may volunteer and many
of our students are accumulating hours by helping with traditional high
school activities such as decorating for dances, scorekeeping at athletic
events, or assisting in fundraisers. Our students are an energetic and
active group and while working on school activities is helpful and much
appreciated, the intent of the requirement is to help the student broaden
their educational experience with some hands on experiences.
One good way to choose volunteer work is to select activities that fall
within the career pathway that a student has chosen. Such volunteer
choices can help a student decide if their career pathway is really for
them. While many students report that they are initially uncomfortable
volunteering, often they find that the experience was rewarding and
beneficial and choose to extend their commitment beyond the minimum
requirement.
Universities are increasingly putting emphasis on the community and
volunteer experience of students. As a community we need to welcome our
students seeking such experience. As parents and community members we can
help our students match up with worthwhile experiences. It may require
some parental assistance in transportation or arranging schedules, but
certainly driving a student to volunteer at a homeless shelter in Santa
Rosa can be as valid as driving for athletic events.
The Sonoma County Volunteer Center has a youth department and is
exceptional at matching students with agencies who need their help. Alissa
Gardner is the youth coordinator at the Center, 573-3399 or online at
volunteernow.org. The HUSD website has a Community Clearinghouse where
community agencies may list volunteer opportunities for our students. It
can be found at www.husd.com/projects. We encourage community agencies to
list their needs at the website and recommend that students review the
available placements. Students can also look for volunteer opportunities
at the Career Center.
Albert Schweitzer once wrote, "I do not know what your destiny will be,
but this I know - the only ones among you who will be truly happy are
those who have sought and found how to serve". Let's join as community and
parents to help our students find meaningful ways to serve.
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