Mike Smith
Service Learning

Service Learning Project

As part of our Social Studies curriculum we have adopted a service learning project that will give students the opportunity to give help to those in need in our community. Since the inception of the service learning project, Horizon students have completed many thousands of hours of community service in a wide variety of fields, and have helped literally thousands of people in our community.

Throughout the school year there will be many opportunities for students to complete their projects as we have many fundraisers that require a lot of manpower. Agencies that are on the lookout for a little extra help, such as the YMCA and animal shelters, are also an excellent choice. Websites many students have used over the years to find opportunities are:

volunteer match

United Way Spokane

Spokanesvolunteer

In the past we have also accepted service hours that involved helping elderly neighbors that are not family members with tasks such as yard work, shoveling snow, etc.. Church activities, not including youth groups and such, in which students are actively involved are great as well, but babysitting and helping parents at work will not be accepted. Just check with your teacher first before starting the project as we will all want to make sure the service in question is acceptable. It should be noted that no money or gifts can be accepted for having completed any service learning hours.

Students must complete eight hours of service learning per trimester, and must also have an evaluation filled out by both the individual/organization they helped out and by a parent/guardian. In addition to these evaluations, a one and a half page paper must be completed every trimester that explains what service was completed, what the student learned by completing the service, and anything that may have happened to make the experience memorable. An alternative to the paper is to put together a photo essay with captions that in total equal one page of writing.

The project is worth 200 points:

2-3 minute presentation………………….50 points

Parent evaluation……………………..….25 points

Individual/organization evaluation………25 points

Paper/photo essay………………………100 points

In conclusion, the best way to approach this project is with a positive attitude. In the past there have been those who have complained about having to help others, but the vast majority of students do a great job, learn a lot about life, impress the community, spend time with their friends helping those in need, and feel a genuine sense of accomplishment and pride. Poor representation of Horizon will void any and all service learning hours for that activity.