Student Service Learning (SSL) 301-469-1211
For Summer SSL Approval: Important: Click and read this link.
All preapproval forms expire on May 31 of the current school year. If you are planning on continuing, you will need another MCPS Form 560-50 for the summer and/or next school year.
- ***SSL Coordinator’s office is located in the Counseling Office (room 107).***
January - May SSL hours must be turned in on or before the deadline (Friday, June 1, 2012).
SSL hours served during September - December are no longer being accepted.
SSL Guidebook (English Version)
SSL Guidebook in Non-English Versions (Spanish, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, and Korean)
MCPS SSL Webpage MCPS SSL Powerpoint Steps for Earning SSL Hours
Number of Required Hours
Basics of "How to Get SSL Hours"
SSL Opportunities Already PreApproved - This is a search engine set up by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC). Only those organizations with the graduation cap (mortar board) icon have been approved by MCPS. Before starting with an organization, please check with this site. In some instances, our students have been lead to believe that non-approved organizations had approved status. This is why it is crucial that you check this out for yourself. Any student needing assistance with searches may stop by to see Mrs. Tilles before or after school, or during the lunch period.
Other ways to find opportunities:
- SSL Board by the cafeteria features highlighted opportunities
- Binder in the Counseling Office with hundreds of approved opportunities
- Opportunity announcements sent home through Edline. (You must "manage account" on Edline to accept emails from the school in order to receive these.)
- Opportunity announcements sent home through the Churchill Blips. You must subscribe to BLIPS to receive these.
SSL hours completed during January 2012 - May 2012 are due on or BEFORE, Friday, June 1, 2012. It is highly recommended that the forms be turned in before AP testing so they don't get "missed" once studying begins. All preapproval forms will expire on May 31, 2012. New preapproval forms will be needed for the summer if your organization does not already have the MCPS SSL Approved icon by its listing with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Please submit those forms as early as possible to allow time for the forms to be processed and returned to you.
Hours completed September - December are no longer being accepted.
SSL Guidelines for Faith Organizations in the Community
For anyone working on election campaigns over this year, this is good information to know and to have at hand. All students working on campaigns must get two (2) "Request for Individual SSL" forms: One for now through May, another for June through the elections. There are no exceptions to this. "Request for Individual SSL" was formerly known as the "Preapproval Form."
Guidelies for working on elections(including Board of Education elections)
Forms
SSL Pre-Approval [Now called "Request for Individual SSL"] - All preapprovals expire on May 31 of the current school year. New Preapproval forms must be approved for Summer SSL.
SSL Verification [Must be submitted before the deadlines printed on the form.]
Newsletters
Montgomery County Volunteer Center - MCVC March Newsletter
Highlighted MCPS SSL Approved Opportunities
Sandy Spring Museum STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL June 1-2, 2012
Summer Leadership Camps [A service learning program for teens who enjoy ehlping children learn and have fun in a safe environment. An opportunity to earn a lot of SSL hours. Apply ASAP!]
Winston Churchill HS Main Office Student Aides needed. [If you are interested in earning SSL hours this summer, consider aiding in the main office for summer school! You will earn hour for hour and we can plan around your summer plans. Please see Mrs. Linton in the main office for more information.]
Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival - June 2, 2012 (Volunteer Form)
Girl Scouts Camp Starlight In The Woods - Teens needed as program helpers and camp aides. Please see MRS. TILLES for a packet with application or visit this website.
Interfaith Clothing Center Sorter Earth Day (Entire month of April)
Children of Persia CASA of Maryland, Inc
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club Chinese American Parents and Students Association
Stepping Stones Shelter Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Canine Assistants Civil Air Patrol - BCC Composite Squadron
Your Dog's Friend Conservation Montgomery
Special Olympics Maryland - Montgomery Culture Center of T.E.C.R.O
YMCA of Bethesda-Chevy Chase Emeritus At Potomac Assisted Living (Formerly Summerville)
Yachad, Inc. Farmland Child Development Center (at Wayside Elementary
Women Who Care Ministries Friends of The Library - Montgomery County
A Wider Circle George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc.
Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture
Interfaith Clothing Center Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County
Ten Thousand Villages Humanity TV, Inc (TravelTelevision.Org)
Villages at Rockville - Assisted Living Kidball Foundation
Symphony Of The Potomac Marathi Kala Mandal of Greater Washington
Scholarships with SSL Components
SHULMAN, ROGERS, GANDAL, PORDY & ECKER, P.A., YOUTH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS :
http://www.leadershipmontgomerymd.org/awards/ycsla.asp
Ladies of IMANI Scholarship (not associated with IMANI Temple or any of its affiliates)
http://ladiesofimani.org/
National Hook-Up of Black Women Scholarship
http://www.nhbwinc.com/
Other Opportunities
What does it mean to say an organization and volunteer opportunity are "Approved" for Student Service Learning by Montgomery County Public Schools?
Community Letter
Organizations that have the tag, "Approved SSL MCPS" have:
- Registered with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center.
- Sent a representative to an orientation where the MCPS SSL guidelines were explained.
- Signed an Organization Responsibility and Assurance Document
- Tax exempt status from the IRS
- Provided proof of general liability insurance coverage
Agreed to-
- Provide activities that are secular in nature.
- Advise students of the need that will be addressed, overall expectations, and safety information.
- Cover the SSL phases of preparation, action and reflection.
- Supervise all activities in public places not private homes.
- Not involve door- to- door neighborhood canvassing or telephone solicitation.
- Evaluate student performance at regular intervals and share evaluation with student.
- Maintain log and verify service on MCPS Form 560-51 Student Service Learning Activity Verification according to program timelines.
- Award 1 SSL hour for every hour of service. (Maximum 8 hours within a 24 hour period).
- Comply with all federal, state, and local laws that forbid discrimination on the basis of race, creed, sex, age, disability, religion, and/or national origin.
- Prohibit verbal abuse, threats, physical violence or sexual harassment directed against others.
Approved for SSL by MCPS does NOT include
- Site visit by MCPS or Volunteer Center personnel
- Background check by MCPS or Volunteer Center personnel.
Parent and/or Guardian can contact individual organizations to verify safety and background check information. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to determine if an organization or service opportunity is appropriate and safe for their child.
Questions? Contact the SSL coordinator at your school (Mrs. Tilles) or the MCPS SSL Office at 301-279-3454, or Pamela A Meador