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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) believes that
service learning addresses recognized community needs
and is connected to curriculum goals. All service learning
in the areas of indirect service, direct service, and
advocacy include the phases of preparation, action,
and reflection. Quality service learning provides the
student with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and career
exploration opportunities that lead to effective citizenship
in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
MCPS is committed to quality service-learning experiences
for all students.
Students complete service learning through curriculum
connections, co-curricular activities, and independent
service with community-based organizations (CBO). This
combination is equivalent to 60 hours. Representatives
from CBO's are trained and registered as approved sites
in collaboration with the Montgomery County Volunteer
Center.
- Students may earn SSL hours from the summer
after Grade 5 until graduation.
- Students may earn SSL hours by successful
completion of specific middle and high school
courses where service learning is infused. Middle school courses include grade 6 science, grade 7 English, and grade 8 social studies. Highschool courses are identified in the MCPS Course Bulletin.
- Students may earn SSL hours by involvement
in activities with pre-approved non-profit organizations. A list of these organizations and activities are found at this website.
- Students may earn SSL hours by involvement
in service learning activities promoted by school
clubs and organizations.
- Students may earn SSL hours by involvement
in special activities approved in advance of
the service with non-profit organizations that
are not pre-approved.
- SSL coordinators in every middle and high
school are available to provide information
regarding service-learning opportunities and
document SSL hours accumulated by students.
- Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year
middle school students who document 75 or more
hours of service to the community within one
year and follow the application process qualify for The Superintendent's Student
Service Learning Award.
- Students who accumulate 260 SSL hours or
greater receive a MCPS Certificate of Meritorious
Service at the time of graduation.
- Students turn in documentation of service
learning experiences to the school SSL coordinator
during each semester service is provided, and
by September 30th for summer service activities.
Students keep copies of all SSL forms for their
records.
- There is an SSL coordinator in every middle and highschool who shares information about SSL acitivities and maintains SSL records.
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| Accumulated SSL hours are reflected quarterly
on student report cards. |
Documentation of service-learning hours contributed
by students with non-profit organizations prior
to enrollment in MCPS are accepted at the time of
registration. As of July 2003 the SSL graduation
requirement is linked to the grade of first time
enrollment into MCPS:
- Students who are enrolled or entering MCPSfor the
first time in Grade 6 or 7 must complete
60 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first
time in Grade 8 must complete 50 SSL hours
before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first
time in Grade 9 must complete 40 SSL hours
before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first
time in Grade 10 must complete 30 SSL hours
before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first
time in Grade 11 must complete 20 SSL hours
before graduation
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first
time in Grade 12 must complete 10 SSL hours
before graduation.
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- MCPS SSL information is provided via SSL coordinators in all middle and highschools.
- www.mcpsssl.org
- School Newsletters
- Schools meetings
- Local list serves
- Publications: "Give A Little Time...Make A Big Difference," "Student Service Learning: A Proud Tradition in MCPS," "Guide to Student Service Learning Volunteer Opportunities."
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