COMMUNITY SERVICE MINISTRY PROGRAM

 

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Overview

“Each one of you has received a special grace. So like all good stewards, responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourself at the service of others.” 1 Peter 4:1

 

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The Catholic School, among the service agencies of the Church, has as its primary purpose the transmission of Gospel values cherished by Jesus. Pope John Paul II High School recognizes the value of service as significant to the life of Jesus. A formal community service ministry program will enrich the lives of our students and the communities in which they live. The program contributes to the fulfillment of our school mission and it also gives our students the necessary service experience colleges expect from scholarship applicants.

 

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Service is any act of giving assistance or advantage to another. Service is using our God-given gifts and talents to help another person. Service is freely given. Under no circumstance should a student be compensated in any way (financial, etc.) for their service. If a student is unsure as to whether a certain project may be considered appropriate for the Pope John Paul II High School Community Service Ministry Program (“the Program”), they should obtain approval from the Director of Campus Ministry prior to beginning the project. ACCEPTABLE SERVICE PROJECTS MUST BE DONE WITH NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SERVICE GROUPS, CHURCHES, OR SCHOOLS. WORKING FOR BUSINESSES, PROFITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS (BABYSITTING, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, ETC.) IS ORDINARILY NOT CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE SERVICE. Students can visit our school website (www.pjpii.org under Spiritual Life) for a listing of possible service opportunities or see the Director of Campus Ministry.

 

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• 25 hours of community service must be completed per year to satisfy the requirements needed for graduation from Pope John Paul II High School. Students who complete 100 hours or more of community service in a particular year will be recognized at the Academic Awards Program at the end of that year.

 

• NEW FOR 2007 – 2008! A Reflection Paper will be due during the third quarter with an academic grade issued in the fourth quarter. The deadline and the expectations of the paper will be established by both the Religious Studies and English Departments in conjunction with the Director of Campus Ministry. Completion of this assignment with a passing grade will be required in order to receive a passing grade for the Community Service Program. The assignment will also receive an academic grade equivalent to a quiz grade in both the student’s Religion and English Class.

 

• A “Student Record of Community Service Hours” form must be completed for each service project. This form is available on our school website (www.pjpii.org under Spiritual Life) and in the Office of Campus Ministry.

 

• STUDENTS MUST KEEP A COPY OF ANY FORMS SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY FOR THEIR RECORDS.

 

• Only hours earned after the last day of the prior school year (June 1, 2007) through the last day of the current school year (June 6, 2008) will count towards the current year’s community service requirement.

 

• It is solely the responsibility of the individual student to have all required forms, reports, and evaluations properly and thoroughly completed and submitted to the Director of Campus Ministry and to verify that the community service hours are properly credited to them.

 

• Students are responsible to the service organization for any work related to the community service chosen and must conduct themselves in a professional manner when dealing with the organizations (ie: participate in all required training, give the organization at least 24 hours advance notice of absences, schedule a time to make up any missed commitments with the site supervisor, etc.)

 

• Wherever and whenever community service is rendered, students represent themselves, their families, and Pope John Paul II High School. It is important that students enhance their own reputations as well as that’s of their family and their school. Proper language, appearance, and attitude are imperative.

 

• Pope John Paul II High School, its staff and volunteers, and the community service organizations, and its staff and volunteers will not be held responsible in the event of an accident or injury.

 

• Transportation to the service organization is not provided by Pope John Paul II High School. Each student is responsible for transportation to and from the service organization.

 

• Students must attend all scheduled conferences and meetings required by the Director of Campus Ministry or the Service Organization’s Site Supervisor and notify them if an unavoidable conflict arises.

 

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Grading

• Students will receive a pass or not pass grade (“P” or ”NP”) for the completion of the specified quarterly and year-end requirements.

 

• At the end of each year a final passing grade (“P”) will be issued for the completion of the minimum 25 hours of community service and will appear on the student’s permanent record.

 

• Completion of the “Program” (receiving a “P” for each year) is necessary in order to receive a Pope John Paul II High School diploma.

 

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Deadlines

Penalties

• Disciplinary action, financial fines, and additional service hours may be required for any students who do not submit their documentation and community service hours in accordance with the deadlines listed above in addition to receiving the not pass grade (“NP”) for that grading period.

 

• If all service requirements are not completed at the end of any given year, a not pass grade (“NP”) will be issued and will appear on the student’s permanent record.

 

• Any student who fails to meet these expectations may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including withdrawal from Pope John Paul II High School.

 

• Seniors who have not completed all of the community service requirements may not be permitted to take part in various senior related activities (ie: Grad Nite, Prom, Graduation, etc.)