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To complete the community service graduation requirement for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, each student ust complete a community service project. No prescribed number of service hours is required unless students are working toward the Florida Academic Scholars certificate or the Superintendent's Diploma of Distinction (a minimum of 75 hours of service are required for each). Community service projects are well-planned, organized, and voluntary efforts designed to address a specific need in the community. Well-conceived projectsl provide students with the opportunity to plan and implement a project to which they feel personally committed. Below is a brief description of the three ways to categorize community service projects - school-site service, group community service, and individual community service. Students may fulfill the community service graduation requirement using any one, or combination, of these three project models.
To be meaningful, community service projects must address a real need or problem found within the school or community. Students must be given the opportunity to select a community service project that reflects both the needs of the community and their personal interests and skills. In addition, quality community service projects do little to foster the purpose of community service - to provide service to the community and personal growth opportunities for students.
The following criteria should be considered when a student selects a community service project:
- The project addresses a real community need or problem.
- The project provides the student with the opportunity to provide meaningful and vital community service.
- The project allows a student to gain a greater understanding of the community need or problem on which they are working.
- The project reflects the student's interests, talents, and abilities.
- The project provides the student with opportunity to grow personally and academically.
- The project provides the opportunity for continuity of service and/or participation over a significant portion of the student's high school experience.
The organizations and agencies listed below typically welcom volunteers. This list should help students generate ideas for community service projects
- Chambers of Commerce
- Charities
- City governments
- Civic organizations
- Convalescent homes
- County agencies
- Cultural ceters
- Day care centers
- Elmentary or middle schools
- Hospices
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- Hospitals
- Libraries
- Museums
- Parks
- Political organizations
- Recreation centers
- Religious organizations
- Service organizations
- United Way agencies
- Zoos
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School-site service is a tradtional form a community service currently performed by students. School-site service provides a meaningful way to complete the community service project requirement whilel also helping meet the needs of the school community. School-site projects also provide excellent opportunities for at-risk students and for students with special needs; e.g., students that must work to provide family income. School-site projects should promote an on-going commitment on the part of students to provide support and assistance to their school.
Examples of School-Site Projects include:
- Student plans, coordinates, and monitors a school-wide letter writing campaign in support of an issue of local importance.
- Student tutors other students in reading or math for a semester
- Student serves as a community service aide to an appropriate teacher or counselor and assists with the efforts to implement and monitor community service experiences.
If students choose to complete a school-site service project, the project must NOT be performed within the context of a regular school course in theich they are receiving credit.
Group service projects provide excellent opportunities for students to complete service requirements while also meeting the needs of an individual neighborhood or community. Group community service projects provide excellent service opportunities for organiezed student groups; e.g., service clubs, honor societies, ahtletic teams. (Membership in a service club or organization does not in itself met an individual student's community service responsibility.) Group projects should promote an on-going commitment on the part of students to provide support and assistance to the community.
Examples of Group Community Service Projects include:
- Students develop an "Adopt-A-Park" program that includes organizing and monitoring regular work details and beautification.
- Students work regularly at a senior citizens' center assisting with cleaning, food service, and visitations.
- Students work regularly at a children's home and assist with child car and school work; e.g., reading stories, helping with homework.
Individual community service projects allow a student to complete service requirements while addressing a community in need to which he/she is personally committed. Individual projects should promote an on-going committment on the part of the student to provide support and assistance to his/her community.
Examples of Individual Community Service Projects include:
- Student hosts story hours for younger children at a community library or at a nearby elementary school.
- Student reads to or records for the blind.
- Student serves as a volunteer at a museum or cultural center.
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