SERVICE CORD AWARDS PROGRAM GUIDELINES The PURPOSE is to recognize who engage in a high level (qualitatively and quantitatively) of service to the community by earning the opportunity to wear a service cord during senior graduation. Seniors completing the program will receive their service cord, be honored at the Awards Program in May, and re recognized on the graduation program. In addition, at the Awards Program in May, the student in each grade level completing the most hours during the previous 12 months will be recognized. HOURS Hours required are an average of 40 per year that the student is enrolled at George Ranch High School. The number of hours required is a total for the course of the high school experience. If a student earns 30 hours one year, 50 the next, 35 the next, and 45 the final year, the total is still 160, and the student will meet the minimum requirement of the Service Cord Program. Students are responsible for declaring their intent to participate in the program, and only hours earned after the declaration will count toward the required hours. Service hours from the summer are allowed if the Intent to Serve is signed and returned to the Student Service Window NO LATER than the end of the third week of school each year. All forms are available at the Student Service Window, Ms. Harmon s classroom (1610), and on the George Ranch website. Students are responsible for returning all completed Service Hour Record forms to the Student Service Window. Student hours will be recorded and an update will be posted periodically during the year. In the case of misplaced information, the student is solely responsible for keeping personal copies for verification. Students are responsible for submitting their completed service hour forms in a timely manner according to the schedule given in the deadline section found below. GUIDELINES Students may not receive payment or compensation in any form for service performed. Hours performed for any group or organization, which in turn profits financially from the service will not count. The following may NOT count toward service hours: School activities for organizations of which you are a member with responsibilities for that organization, receive a benefit, or a grade Family obligations (example- babysitting or caring for other family members) Duties performed in association with student s employment Assisting teachers/administrators/staff in completing any duties that are part of their contract (example- grading papers, decorating a room, carrying supplies, etc.) Tutoring a friend (example- study groups, proofreading a friend s paper, studying for an exam). Travel time to and from mission trips and camps (The general rule on such trips will be 1 day is 8 hours and 1 week is 40 hours). The overriding issue should be that the community service is done primarily to benefit others in the community at large with no financial gain to a group or individual and should be something out of the student s normal course of action.
The following MAY count toward service hours: Volunteer duties associated with a church or other community oriented non-profit organization Boy Scout/Girl Scout service hours Rosenberg/Richmond/Sugarland etc revitalization Highway cleanup Blood drives (including giving blood = 1 hour of service) Structured tutoring (such as adult education, literacy programs, citizenship programs, etc) All community service hours honored by PAL s, National Honor Society, Student Council, etc. may also be submitted for consideration for Service Cord Hours. RESTRICTIONS No more than 10% of the required hours may be from court-ordered community service activities (example- a maximum of only 16 hours of 160 may be court-ordered). Hours are to be earned in half hour increments only. All times will be rounded down to the nearest half hour. Students are responsible for completing the Service Hours Record form neatly and completely. Forms that are incomplete or not legible will NOT be considered for awarding service hours. Forms will NOT be returned for correction, so it is important that students get detailed information when the service is completed. Files will be maintained by the committee but participants are responsible for maintaining personal copies of all forms. Final responsibility for maintenance of records resides with the participant. DEADLINES Students may declare their intent to Serve at any time and only need to declare their intent once during enrollment at GRHS. In order for summer hours to count, the Intent must be on file or turned in along with all Service Hour Records for summer hours to the Student Service Window by the end of the third week of school. Service Hours completed the summer before freshman year are not applicable since the student is not yet enrolled and attending George Ranch High School. Any student who forgoes completing the Intent to Serve until a later date must complete all hours for the number of years he/she attended George Ranch, and only service hours obtained from that day forward may be counted. Students are responsible for submitting their completed service hour forms according to the following schedule. All hours completed after May 1 st but prior to the first day of school must be submitted no later than Sept 15 th All hours completed after the first day of school but prior to Thanksgiving Break must be submitted no later than December 1 st All hours completed from Thanksgiving through April 30 th must be submitted no later than May 1 st Important note regarding seniors: Seniors are responsible for having all Service Hour Record Forms turned into the Student Service Window by April 16 th Activities about which the student is unsure should be cleared through a member of the Service Cord Awards Committee. *Based on model by Smithson Valley High School and Foster High School
SERVICE CORD PROGRAM DECLARATION OF INTENT TO SERVE I, do hereby certify my intent to participate in the Service Cord Program at George Ranch High School. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that hours earned must be in accordance with the guidelines set out for this program. Furthermore, I agree to participate with honesty, integrity, and ensure that my acts of service benefit my community and those with whom I come in contact. I will represent myself, my family, and my school to the best of my ability, keeping in mind that as people see me, they will see my family and my school. I pledge to treat everyone with whom I have contact with the utmost respect and caring, realizing that at any given time I may be the one in need of a helping hand and would desire to be treated kindly. Student s Signature: Parent s Signature: Current Grade Level (circle): 9 10 11 12 Student ID # Date: Date: Grade Level when student entered George Ranch High School: 9 th grade 10 th grade 11 th grade 12 th grade I WILL NEED HOURS TO EARN AND WEAR MY SERVICE CORD AT MY GRADUATION FROM GEORGE RANCH HIGH SCHOOL.
SERVICE HOURS RECORD LOG RECORD OF SERVICE COMPLETED OVER MULTIPLE DAYS This form must be completed in detail and attached to the Service Hours Record Rom for any service completed over multiple days for the same non-profit organization. No more than two weeks worth of hours can be documented on this log and attached to a Service Hours Record Form. In all cases, Service Hour Forms must be submitted by appropriate deadlines. Student: Date service began: Total hours: Organization for which the service was performed: ID# Grade Date service ended: Name: Location: Date Time In Time Out Total Description of duties completed TOTAL HOURS
For hours completed after May 1 st but prior to the first day of school, completed forms must be submitted by September 15 th. For hours completed after the first day of school but prior to Thanksgiving, completed forms must be submitted no later than December 1 st. For hours completed from Thanksgiving but prior to May 1 st, completed forms must be submitted no later than May 1 st. GRHS office use only: Approved by: Approved date: GEORGE RANCH HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE HOURS RECORD Please check the appropriate box(es) or complete the Other blank: Service Cord STUCO PALS NHS Other: Community Community Community School School School Please print clearly ALL requested information and complete ALL blanks to ensure credit for your hours. Service forms that are not complete or not legible will not be considered for service and will NOT be returned to the student. You are responsible for making your personal copy of this record prior to turning it in to the appropriate organization. Student: ID # Grade: Date of Service: Time Service Began: Ended: Total hours: Please note: If service is performed over multiple dates/times, the Log of Hours (found on the back of this form or on the website) must be completed and turned in with this form. Non-profit Organization for which the service was performed Name: Location: Detailed description of the service performed (include all duties, who benefited from the service, and whether or not you are a member of the organization, attach extra sheet if necessary): I acknowledge that I have completed the service project described above. Student s signature **I acknowledge that the student named above has completed the service project described under my direction. Signature of Adult Non Guardian Supervisor Phone Printed Name of Adult Non Guardian Supervisor Position/Title **Adult Supervision information may be provided on attached document/service certificate rather than on this document.