Service opportunities and events can be found on sjcadets.org and Ed-line calendar found on the Service page.

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1 Service Requirement at St. Joseph High School St. Paul states in every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35).St. Joseph High School s mission is to provide opportunities that allow the student to understand that the ability to serve is not only his or her responsibility, but it is also a privilege to contribute, influence, and ultimately strengthen the community. At St. Joseph High School, we believe that community service is a means of acting on behalf of God and others with a sense of willingness and cheerfulness in response to the identified needs of a chosen community. By serving God and others with all of one s spirit, the students have the ability to connect, help, learn, and teach one another. These acts benefit the surrounding communities and contribute to the student s character and spiritual development. By incorporating community service into the curriculum, the objective is not to burden the students, but to open their eyes and hearts to the needs of others.for that reason, service is a requirement that is necessary for grade promotion and graduation. Four Points Service Program In order to teach students the concept of an evolving community, each year the focus of service will change. This ensures that by graduation students are provided with the understanding and knowledge that service is necessary and crucial to every community we belong to. The targeted areas are as follows: FRESHMAN year the focus is SCHOOL to demonstrate that it is a privilege and responsibility to attend to St. Joseph High School and each student should be engaged and involved in this community. The hour requirement is 15 hours. SOPHOMORE year the focus is COMMUNITY to demonstrate that our communities (towns, parishes, schools) help us develop into the persons we become and this must be acknowledged with gratitude and service. The hour requirement is 20 hours. JUNIOR year the focus is the NATION in order to underline the importance of students being aware that responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in political life is a moral obligation (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). The hour requirement is 25 hours. SENIOR year the target is GLOBAL/ by this experience it is hoped that students realize their ability to make a positive difference in communities and lives of those around the world. Seniors may choose to participate with the same organization, they have must have an increased leadership role.the hour requirement is 30 hours. A list of pre-approved and suggested activities for each grade level can be found on in the Community Service section. Service opportunities and events can be found on sjcadets.org and Ed-line calendar found on the Service page. Please contact the Coordinator of Student Service, Ms. Melissa Stunkel with any questions. MStunkel@sjcadets.org or (203) Extension 212

2 Service Specifications Students can begin performing service hours beginning May 2013 Hours and completed forms are due PRIOR to March 3 rd, Students will NOT receive credit for hours scheduled AFTER the due date. Students are responsible to complete service their designated target area. Service hours cannot take place during school hours. Class time is not to be used for service project. If these hours are submitted, they will be invalid. Forms must be completed and signed by the site/organization supervisor. Parent signatures are NOT permitted. Forms should be brought to the service site and completed on the day of service. Exceptions or extensions will not be made unless there is approval by the Administration. Approval In order to ensure acts of service meet these specifications, a pre-approved chart of actions and organizations has been provided for each area and grade. The pre-approved list is not all inclusive. If there is activity or organization that fits within the requirements but is not on the list, the activity MUST be approved by the Coordinator of Student Service by November 25 th to the in order to guarantee that activity or organization fits the service requirements. After this date, students must select from the chart of pre-approved acts/organizations. The following may NEVER be considered service and if submitted will be invalid: Volunteering at a FOR-profit businesses (I.e. Doctor offices, law firms, or taking no pay at a job) Any house, yard work or babysitting done for family, friends or neighbors. Nothing in which payment is received Activities that are part of being a member of a sports team or club Monthly service projects are organized through the Coordinator of Student Service. These include after school activities on and off campus and can be counted towards hours. It is advised that students become aware of the monthly opportunities available by checking their Service page on Edline and the TV s throughout the school.

3 Grading A grade of P (pass) indicates the service hours are complete and the form has been properly filled out and handed in by March 3 RD. If the hours and form are not completed, an F (fail) will be posted as the THIRD quarter Service grade. In addition to the F, an INCOMPLETE will be issued as the third quarter religion grade. If this is not reconciled within the grace period, the student will become academically ineligible for the fourth quarter. With an F and incomplete, the student will not advance to the next grade level until their service is completed. Seniors will not receive their diplomas with an outstanding F or Incomplete. If the student does not submit the service hours the student will be assigned to a service project and supervised by the Coordinator of Student Service. Above and Beyond Hours Students are strongly encouraged to continue acts of service after their hour requirement is met. Any additional service, regardless, of what area it is done in can be turned in for Above and Beyond hours. These hours are due by May 1 st. If 100 or more Above and Beyond hours are completed (required hours are NOT included), students will be recognized at class day and receive a certificate. These must be submitted and logged on the separate Above and Beyond form. FRESHMAN year the focus is SCHOOL to demonstrate that it is a privilege and responsibility to attend to St. Joseph High School and each student should be engaged and involved in this community. The hour requirement is 15 hours. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Alumni Events Walk-A-Thon Preparations Fasting In Action Together (FIAT) Overnight (Fall) Talent Show Volunteers (Fall) Midnight Run Preparations (Fall & Springs) Thanksgiving Food Drive Christmas Giving Tree Annual Phone-A-Thon (Fall & Spring) Entrance Exams (Fall & Winter) Sports Concessions Stand Easter Egg Hunt (Spring) Admissions (envelopes, mailings) Freshmen Service Week (Winter) Various school-wide service projects (before and after school help

4 FRESHMAN year the focus is SCHOOL to demonstrate that it is a privilege and responsibility to attend to St. Joseph High School and each student should be engaged and involved in this community. The hour requirement is 15 hours. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Alumni Events Walk-A-Thon Preparations Fasting In Action Together (FIAT) Overnight (Fall) Talent Show Volunteers (Fall) Midnight Run Preparations (Fall & Springs) Thanksgiving Food Drive Christmas Giving Tree Annual Phone-A-Thon (Fall & Spring) Entrance Exams (Fall & Winter) Sports Concessions Stand Easter Egg Hunt (Spring) Admissions (envelopes, mailings) Freshmen Service Week (Winter) Various school-wide service projects (before and after school help SOPHOMORE year the focus is COMMUNITY to demonstrate that our communities (towns, parishes, schools) help us develop into the persons we become and this must be acknowledged with gratitude and service. The hour requirement is 20 hours. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Altar Serving Lectoring/Cantoring Eucharistic Minister Vacation Bible School CCD/Sunday School teacher Bible/Church camp counselor (unpaid) Parish childcare Youth Group Service projects Retreat Leader (Emmaus, Convivo, Kairos, etc.) Town Library services Coaching town athletic, non-profit programs Town Senior Centers Town Food Pantries Police/Fire/EMS Departments Community & Senior Centers Local Parks clean up/conservation Town Pound/Animal Shelters Coaching school teams Theater programs (Directing, producing, not acting) After school tutoring programs Grounds restoration Mission/Immersion Service Trips (Domestic &International)

5 JUNIOR year the focus is the NATION in order to underline the importance of students being aware that responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in political life is a moral obligation (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). The hour requirement is 25 hours. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Hunger and Homelessness Habitat for Humanity (Coastal Fairfield County) Habitat for Humanity Restore (Coastal Fairfield County) Operation Hope (Fairfield) Mission/Immersion Service Trips (Domestic &International) CT Food Bank (Fairfield) Midnight Run Merton House Spooner House (Shelton) Lord Chamberlin Bridgeport Rescue Mission Prospect House Catholic Worker House Boys and Girls Club (Shelton) Boys and Girls Village (Milford) Missionaries of Charity (Bridgeport) Ronald McDonald House Special Olympics YMCA Police/Fire/EMS Departments Sterling House The Kennedy Center Caroline House (Bridgeport) ABCD (Bridgeport) Bridgeport Community Land Trust Harvest Now Homes for the Brave VITAS VA Hospital Domestic Violence Awareness Programs Maefair Healthcare Center St. Joseph s Manor Camp Sunshine Make a Wish Foundation Diaper Drive American Cancer Society Relay for Life Hopeline Birthright Red Cross Malta House Local Hospitals Local Nursing Homes Knights of Columbus Boy/Girl Scout Projects Students are encouraged to design, create, initiate, and lead various service projects.

6 SENIOR year the target is GLOBAL/ by this experience it is hoped that students realize their ability to make a positive difference in communities and lives of those around the world. The hour requirement is 30 hours. *If they choose to participate with the same organization, they have must have an increased leadership role in a repeated organization. Activities may include, but are not limited to: Non-Profit Organizations with Global missions/visions Mission/Immersion Service Trips (Domestic &International) International Red Cross Habitat for Humanity Catholic Relief Services St. Jude Children s Hospital Cancer Awareness Programs Bully Prevention Program English as Second Language Programs AIDS Outreach Domestic Violence Awareness Programs Hunger and Homelessness Programs Mission Trips (Appalachia, Haiti, Etc) NGOs Operation Rice Bowl Feed the Children AmeriCares Foundation UNICEF Doctors/Nurse Across Borders Operation Smile This is a non-inclusive list. Therefore, if there is activity or organization that fits within the requirements but is not on the list, the student MUST fill out and return a pre-approval form the Coordinator of Student Service.