Student Service Learning (SSL)

    Please Submit All SSL Forms to Room 106

    Eastern's SSL Coordinator is Mr. Nicholas Towson 

    Any middle school student who has submitted documentation to show the completion of the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement (for the first time in middle school) by April 5th, 2024, will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award.

    SSL Resources

    Student Engagement Letter

     SSL Opportunities 

        • April SSL Opportunities (for which students can earn up to 34 SSL hours!)

      •  Choose Respect Montgomery - RespectFest - April 1-14, 2024

        o   April 1-14, 2024 (virtual/online) - Middle school and high school students will have the opportunity to earn up to 5 SSL hours for actively participating in online activities and virtual workshops centered on dating violence and prevention!

        o   April 7, 2024, 1-4 PM - Wheaton Community Recreation Center (in-person) - Middle school and high school students will have the opportunity to earn up to 3 SSL hours for attending this in-person festival focused on spreading awareness about dating violence and prevention! Registration will occur on-site.

        o   Interested students may view additional details at the following link.

        -          MCPS Youth Climate Summit - April 13, 2024 (8:30 AM - 3:35 PM) - Middle school and high school students are invited to speak with environmental mentors, collaborate with student leaders, gain imperative environmental information, and learn how to grow as environmental activists!

        o   Students may earn 7 SSL hours for participating.

        o   Interested students may view additional details and register at the following link.

        ·       Earth Day SSL Opportunity (April 22, 2024, 9:30am - 2:00pm) - Build the first MCPS farm, and earn SSL hours while giving back to the Earth!

        o   Students may earn 4.5 SSL hours for participating. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided.

        o   To learn more, please click here.

        ·       Teen Wellness Summit (April 22, 2024, 9 AM - 4 PM) - Join us for discussions and presentations packed with information, fun and prizes! Explore your health, discover health careers, and make community connections. 

        o   Students may earn up to 7 SSL hours for participating. Lunch will be provided.

        o   Students must register by April 8, 2024. To learn more, please click here.

        -          The Culture of Respect 2023-2024 Student Training Module remains available on Canvas for students to access. Students must fully complete the training module to be eligible to earn 2 SSL hours.

        -          Student-to-Student Extracurricular Series - 10 SSL hours – MCPS is seeking students interested in developing a video presentation with either a leadership moment or extracurricular skill to inspire, teach, and share with their MCPS peers and the greater MCPS community. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the Student-To-Student Extracurricular Series Form.

        -     Additional April SSL Opportunities

     

    MCPS SSL Website

    The state of Maryland requires all students to complete 75 hours of Student Service Learning (SSL) in order to graduate. Students may begin working on this requirement as soon as they complete 5 th grade. Students earn some SSL hours through middle school and high school courses.

    Grade 6: Science

    Grade 7: English

    Grade 8: US History

    Parents should be aware that simply working as an unpaid volunteer does not necessarily qualify as SSL. The rules for where a student may earn SSL hours, how to receive credit for the hours earned, and other topics can be found on the MCPS website:

     https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/pages/overview.aspx  

    It is very important that students check the MCPS website prior to undertaking any volunteer service. The website includes a link to the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's list of volunteer opportunities.

    https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/

    Those organizations marked with a graduation cap are pre-approved for SSL.

    Students who wish to volunteer at an organization not on the list should submit an approval request to Eastern's SSL coordinator using MCPS form 560-51 prior to serving as a volunteer.

    SSL service should be recorded on an MCPS form 560-50 that has been signed by an adult at the organization. Forms 560-50 are due at the end of each semester. No credit will be given for volunteer service in previous semesters.

    Eastern's SSL Coordinator is Mr. Nicholas Towson.