On the Subject of Community Service...

As all of our students and families know, Community Service is an important part of the SPHS learning experience. The hours that our students serve in our community can be applied toward application to the FL Bright Futures Scholarship Program, numerous other scholarships, and college applications. More importantly, serving the community provides the opportunity for students to experience the value of sharing their talents and energy with other members of their community.  Seniors at SPHS should be finishing up their hours as soon as possible, as the application for Bright Futures opens up in December. Late Spring submissions can cause some serious delays in financial aid decisions for Fall college entrance.


HOW MANY HOURS ARE NEEDED?

There are three levels of FL Bright Futures Scholarship, with different requirements for Community Service hours.  To receive the FL Academic Scholars award, 100 hours are required.  FL Medallion Scholars require 75 hours, and Gold Seal Vocational Scholars require 30 hours. 

In addition, students will earn 1/2 elective credit for 75 hours and a full credit for 150 hours on their official transcripts. 100 cumulative hours of Community Service are required for students to graduate from SPHS.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

Community service hours must be served with a non-profit organization for which the student receives no monetary compensation or a for-profit agency which has an established volunteer program, (i.e. a candy stripe volunteer program at a hospital.)

Acceptable Community Service Activities:
Volunteer with church outside of religious services such as nursery, office, community outreach, etc.
Participating with a team, club, or band in a community service project or outreach program when attendance is not mandatory
Volunteering at an ALF, Nursing Home, or Hospital conducting enrichment &/or entertaining
Coaching, Scorekeeper, Referee for a little league team
Volunteering after school at a school

Not Acceptable Community Service Activities:
Volunteer hours before graduating 8th grade
Volunteering at a non-profit agency to replace a paid staff member
Internships with a for-profit business
Helping at a parent’s business without pay
Church participation during religious services (such as alter server, choir, band, acolyte, etc.)
Church mission camp, teaching bible studies, vacation bible school
School sponsored sports
Playing as a member on a community sports team
Any required participation to be a member of a team, club, group, or band
Any political campaigns of any kind
Meetings for clubs, scouts, 4-H, etc.
Teacher's Aid during school hours

HOW DO STUDENTS GET STARTED:

Students must register online and get pre-approved for EVERY location where they will be serving. If they haven't already, students will need to visit http://scs-webapps2.sarasota.k12.fl.us/hscs/ to get started.

Students will then pick up a Community Service log sheet from the SPHS Front Office and get it signed each time they serve.