Why a service commitment?
Here at Catholic High we believe that giving ourselves in service to those in need is as important as learning material from academic classes. As we grow in our knowledge and understanding of academic material, we also need to learn about the area of service. Most of us naturally shy away from those situations that might make us uncomfortable or take up too much of our time. Our service commitment is a little ‘helper’ or ‘push’ that we need to take that first step into the world of volunteering. There are many reasons why we believe service learning is so integral to one’s education.

What grounds this value of service?
Both the Mission Statement and Franciscan Values of our school proclaim that service is at the core of who we are as an educational community. In other words, without our commitment to service, our school would not be true to itself and the spirit and tradition of Saints Clare and Francis, for whom caring for those in need was a hallmark of their lives.

As a Catholic institution, we root ourselves in the Mission of Jesus. We are commissioned by Christ to notice and respond to the needs of our world, especially those most neglected, excluded, and abandoned by the norms of our society. Catholic High welcomes students of all faiths, and service to others is indeed a common element found in all denominations and faith traditions.

As students proceed through high school, choosing one’s career path is an important decision. Various volunteer placements can afford a student with actual, hands-on experience in several disciplines, thus aiding one’s decision-making process for college and beyond.

One’s participation in volunteering is a critical facet of the college application process. Many institutions will offer acceptance letters and scholarships based on a student’s commitment to service. Many state and national organizations that offer awards and scholarships ask for community service records as they consider possible recipients.

The needs of our city, nation, and world are so great. Active involvement in service during high school sows the seed of a lifetime desire to respond to the needs of our world.

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What is required?
As a requirement for graduation, every student in the Class of 2009, and 2010 must complete 24 hours of service each year.

Starting with the Incoming Freshmen Fall 2007:
Freshmen Year: 25 hours due
Sophomore Year: 30 hours due
Junior Year: 35 hours due
Senior Year: 40 hours due

January 16, 2009: 12 hours must be completed for grades 9-12.

April 21, 2009: the remaining hours must be completed for grade 12.

May 7, 2009: the remaining hours must be completed for grades 9-11.

Students can return more than 12 hours on or before the January deadline, but incompletion of 12 hours by January 16, 2009 will result in the student’s removal from all school activities. This includes sports, clubs, events, dances, etc. If a student does not complete the 12 hours within two weeks, Category II disciplinary action will be taken.

If a student does not complete the required hours by the May deadline, the student will face Category III disciplinary action as outlined in the school handbook. Students may also be given detentions as well as inability to take final exams. Service hours are recorded on all interim reports and report cards. Parents and guardians will be notified if there is a failure to complete the requirement.

Students are encouraged to return a record of all volunteer activities, even if they surpass the required number of hours. Records are kept for every student for all four years. These records can prove most beneficial for award/scholarship/college/employment possibilities.

15 of the hours must be with a non-profit agency.
Students can do more than 15 hours, but 15 is the minimum.
There are many organizations for which students can volunteer. Some organizations visit Catholic High, and there is a complete list of them available in the Mission Office. There may be places close to your home. Catholic Charities here in the archdiocese has several places throughout the city and several counties. These web sites may be helpful when searching for service opportunities: www.volunteermatch.org or www.archbalt.org. Your local yellow pages will offer other suggestions as well. Non-profit placements include: nursing homes, soup kitchens, shelters, libraries, boys/girls clubs, summer bible camps, parish and church activities, neighborhood associations, YMCA, hospitals, humane society, and many more.

It is important that our students have an opportunity to work with people from different religious, ethnic, economic, age, and social backgrounds. Our culture often promotes an environment of fearing people who are different from us. When we interact and actually get to know different people, we begin to realize how much we have in common.

The remaining hours can be done through school activities.
This includes any one time activity or event which takes place outside the regular school day. (One exception is the school wide Community Service Day held the first week of October.) Such activities include: open house, freshmen orientation, Math Olympiad, basketball tournaments, and other events which occur during the year. A service project undertaken by a school club or organization which benefits something other than the school will be accepted.

Some students like to help individual teachers after school.

School activities that will NOT be accepted as service:
Sports team member, club member, organization member, extra-curricular activities such as concerts or musicals or honor societies. Participation in these events truly benefits the students, and is part of being an active member of the school community. Our goal for our community service commitment stresses that someone or some group other than the student will benefit from the student’s time, energy, and talents.

Other activities that will NOT be accepted as service: babysitting, any family business/event/chore/activity, any for-profit business, and walking pets. If you have a job, you may not decline your salary and “volunteer” for certain hours in order to complete your service requirement.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MAY NOT OBTAIN ANY SERVICE HOURS VOLUNTEERING AT A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS. HOURS ARE TO BE OBTAINED EITHER FROM A NON-PROFIT GROUP OR AT SCHOOL.

Certainly exceptions can be made on an individual basis due to family circumstances. Please contact the school if you have any questions. If you plan on doing an overnight experience, hours are accepted only for those hours of actual service, not sleeping or driving time.

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Where can I find information about volunteer opportunities?
Catholic Charities here in the archdiocese has several places throughout the city and several counties. These web sites may be helpful:  www.volunteermatch.org and  www.archbalt.org. Local yellow pages will offer other suggestions as well. Stop by the Office of Mission for ideas.

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What awards are given for those who go above and beyond the commitment?

Yearly awards are given to each grade level for the following:

• Mother Generosa Award: student completes 50-99 hours of service
• St. Clare Award: student completes 100-199 hours of service
• St. Francis Award: student completes 200 + hours of service

Awards given annually at Graduation:

• Canticle Award: senior who completes the highest total of hours for all four years
• Franciscan Spirit Award: senior who embodies the ideals of service to others and commitment to gospel values.

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How can family be involved?
It is important to note that this service commitment is the responsibility of the student. It is not the responsibility of the parent to make all the arrangements, get service forms signed, and worry if this will be completed. We hope to engender in our students a keen sense of accountability for their actions and attitudes. When students leave the secure environment of high school, they need to understand the importance of self-initiating behavior, following through on tasks, and claiming responsibility and concern for their endeavors. Participation in our service program starts them on this road of growth and maturity.

That being said, the service commitment could also be a wonderful family opportunity. You might consider finding a placement which will allow your whole family as participants. This cooperative effort can reap invaluable benefits in learning and growing as a family. You might set aside a few hours every month to volunteer. This could be a very enriching experience.

What if I have questions about the Community Service Commitment?
Stop by the Mission Office or contact Ms. Katie Laufersweiler-Hanf, Coordinator of Spiritual Life, at 410.732.6200 ext. 492 or klaufersweiler-hanf@thecatholichighschool.org.

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Community Service Day
Each year, the Catholic High community reaches out to the Baltimore community during Community Service Day. The entire student body, including faculty, staff, alumnae, and parents visit more than 20 different organizations in the Baltimore area to volunteer their time to help those in need. The following organizations have participated in years past:

American Red Cross
Catholic Charities
Florence Crittenton Services of Baltimore, Inc.
Franciscan Center
Gallagher Services
Garden Harvest
Herring Run Watershed Association
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center
Manna House, Inc.
Marian House
Maryland Society for Sight
Maryland SPCA
Meals on Wheels
Mother Seton Academy
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
Our Daily Bread
St. Agnes Health Care
St. Ann Adult Day Services
St. Gregory the Great Church
St. Jerome’s Head Start
St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Vincent’s Center
Stella Maris, Inc

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Service Organizations
Catholic High sponsors the following Service Organizations:

Ambassadors Club
Fellowship of Christians United in Service (F.O.C.U.S.)
Library Aides

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Student Community Service Form 2008-2009 - PDF Format