Community Service

Last updated August 28, 2005


Contents


Summary

The Everett School District does not have a Community Service component as part of its graduation requirements. With the information presented on this page, we will try to persuade parents and the rest of the community that it might be a good idea to incorporate community service into the curriculum.

For high school students, after careful review of feedback received on our original draft, we are proposing that the Everett School District adopt the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program's CAS (Creativity/Action/Service) element. Perhaps one day in the future, Everett School District students will have an opportunity for the full IB Diploma.



AP/IB Boosters Creativity/Action/Service (CAS) Proposal for High School Students (draft)

(Based on the CAS component of the IB Diploma Program at George Mason HS. George Mason HS is rated the 6th most challenging and demanding public high school in the United States.)
http://www.fccps.k12.va.us/gm/IB/cas.htm


The CAS acronym stands for Creativity, Action and Service. The following is a general description provided by the IB Organization:

The IB curriculum offers a complete educational experience in which the traditional academic subjects and the less formal experiential parts are of comparable significance.

C.A.S. - Creativity, Action and Service - is fundamentally an experiential learning component of the diploma and IBO stresses great importance on C.A.S. as an integral and essential element of the IB curriculum and for the successful award of the diploma.

This philosophy is based on the assumptions that:
 
 
IBO, as an international examinations board, is probably unique among examinations boards in giving this importance to these activities.
 
 

NATURE OF THE PROGRAM

The IBO describes the three aspects as follows:
 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (What you need to do):
1. Complete an initial CAS planning conference with the CAS supervisor wherein you identify your projected strategy and submit your "CAS Planning Document," or its equivalent.

2. Successfully and constructively complete a minimum of 150 hours of approved CAS activities.

3. Maintain an accurate, up-to-date record on each CAS activity in which you participate (see the optional "CAS Activity Contract" forms).

4. Provide the CAS supervisor with neat, complete copies of all of your CAS Activity Contract forms or other documentation.

5. Present a written, two- to four-page critical self-evaluation of your personal performance in CAS activities. In this summary self-evaluation, you should describe/explain:
a) the overall CAS experience, you are not required to detail every CAS activity;

b) the extent to which you have developed personally as a result of the CAS experience;

c) the understanding, skills and values which you have acquired through the activity experience;

d) the benefit that you would consider the activity was, or may be, to others;

e) how you would change any aspect of your CAS experience if you had the chance.

This essay is due within two weeks after completion of the 150 hours (no later than the day we return from Spring Break).

PLANNING YOUR CAS PROGRAM (Consider your options)
The CAS program is generally designed to provide flexibility and individual development. You should create a plan based on your own interests, strengths and personality. You may wish to pursue a variety of individual activities or plan longer projects which would include a mixture of activities. As you plot your course, however, you should keep two necessities in mind:

a) each activity and/or project must be supervised or overseen by an adult (coach, sponsor, volunteer coordinator, etc);

b) by the time you have completed the 150 hours, there should be evidence of a balance (not necessarily an exact balance) of the three elements of creativity, action and service. Keep in mind that many activities overlap or could be defined as being within more than just one of the elements.

Examples of available and approved CAS activities are as follows (categorized by, but not necessarily restricted to the three CAS components):
Creativity:

Action:

Service:
 
Overlapping CAS Activities:
 
 

Information regarding CAS activities can be attained from the CAS coordinator.
 
 
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURSUING YOUR CAS PROGRAM (Nuts and bolts)
1. Think about and plan your overall 150 minimum hours. Get as specific as you can at this early stage, remembering that you can change your plan as you go if you need to.

2. Submit a written plan for the CAS activities, (an optional "CAS Planning Document," is provided for you in this package).

3. Schedule a conference with the CAS supervisor for review and approval of your planned CAS activities.

4. Have at it: go out and be creative, active, and serving: follow the strategy of your initial plan. If significant changes in your plan are necessary, consult with the CAS coordinator.

5. As you complete each CAS activity or project, neatly document all the information in a letter, on a form or on the optional "CAS Activity Contract" sheet. Make sure that each supervising adult completes his/her part of the Activity Contract sheet, if you choose to use it.

6. Keep a copy of each document, letter, form, or "CAS Activity Contract" in this handbook and give a copy of each completed document to the CAS coordinator.

7. After you have completed all 150 hours of the CAS requirement, review all of the contract sheets as an important starting point for your summary self-evaluation essay.

8. Write a two- to four-page summary self-evaluative essay. This essay must be turned in within two weeks of completing 150 hours, and no later than March 30 of your senior year.

9. Always feel free to confer with the CAS supervisor as problems or concerns arise.

10. Enjoy.
 

C.A.S. ACTIVITY CONTRACT
 (PART 2)

To be filled out by the student:

Student's Name:_________________________________________________
 

CAS Activity/Project:______________________________________________

Brief Description of Student's Participation:




AP/IB Boosters Community Service Proposal for Middle School Students (draft)


Middle School

Recommended Guidelines for Middle School:


A Comment on the Practice of Using Community Service as Punishment

As of April 2005, at least one of the Everett School District schools has forms and policies that state that Community Service, along with Saturday School, will be used for punishment when disciplinary action is warranted.

That is the wrong message to students.

We (AP/IB Boosters and other people who give countless hours every year to better our community) kindly request that Community Service be elevated and viewed only as an honorable and respected activity - not as punishment!


Some of the Nearby Schools That Have a Community Service Component

Archbishop Murphy High School
Community Service is required.
Freshman year: 21 hours
Sophomore year: 24 hours
Junior year: 30 hours
Senior year: 35 hours
Total high school career: 110 hours

Bellevue HS, Bellevue School District
Community Service is a requirement for all Bellevue School District high school students.
40 hours

Forest Ridge, School of the Sacred Heart
Each grade level at Forest Ridge has a relationship with a different agency.  Students work at these agencies and also perform on campus projects to benefit them.
http://www.forestridge.org/Faculty/mcgovern/CommServ.htm

Garfield HS, Seattle School District
Service Learning is a requirement for all Seattle School District high school students.
60 hours

Harbour Pointe Middle School, Mukilteo School District
Community Service is a vital part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Harbour Pointe. Students at Harbour Pointe are required to complete 10 hours of Community Service a year (~1 hour a month).  Harbour Pointe advertises volunteer opportunities through its website, fliers in classrooms, morning TV announcements, and its monthly community and service mini-lessons.  Most of the Community Service opportunities are not sponsored by the school.

Harbour Pointe has a Community Service club.  Once a month, approximately, the club offers a community service event on campus.  For example, in March 2005, students planted flowers on campus after school.  After students complete a C&S activity, they must fill out a self-reflection form.  Students can not earn a grade, can not be paid, and the community service must benefit someone outside their immediate family.  The form is then turned in and logged. At the end of the year, those students who completed the ten hours are recognized at an awards assembly.

http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/staff/huberja/CommunityandService/CandSHome.htm

Inglemoor HS, Northshore School District
This is an IB school and all IB schools have the CAS requirement for IB Diploma candidates.
150 hours: 50 for creativity (fine arts), 50 action (sports), and 50 service.

Lakeside School

Service Learning is a requirement for all students.
80 hours
May be completed through approved volunteer work at school or in the community.  No more than 20 hours may be given in service to the school.

Overlake School
Community Service is an integral part of Overlake's program. Each year all Upper School students are required to complete 15 hours of service. Middle and Upper School students have two full community service days during each school year.
http://www.overlake.org/OSfacts.html

Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences
Service learning is a requirement for all students.
160 hours

Shorecrest HS, Shoreline School District

Community Service is a requirement for all high school students.
60 hours.

Why Should the Everett School District Schools Have a Community Service Component?

Community Service Ideas for Parents

Ideas:

Community Service Ideas for Students

Ideas:

Flier

Global Youth Service Day Flier

Distinctions between Volunteerism, Community Service, and Service-Learning

http://www.uga.edu/servicelearning/continuum.htm
Developed by Dr. Elizabeth Pate, University of Georgia, epate@coe.uga.edu, 10/19/02
Volunteerism
engagement of students in  activities where some service or good work is performed
Community Service
the engagement of students in activities where some service or good work is performed and where students learn how their service makes a difference in the lives of the service recipients.
Service Learning
the engagement of students in activities designed to address or meet a community need, where students learn how their service makes a difference in themselves and in the lives of the service recipients, and where learning is intentionally linked to academics.
Example
Volunteer day at the River. Students spend a day cleaning up litter and trash along the river.
Example
River Rendezvous
Students spend time learning how to monitor water quality and the importance of this activity. They spend the day engaging in monitoring activities along the
river.
Example
A Walk Through the Watershed
Students spend time learning about the environment and watersheds. Students identify issues and needs related to watersheds. Students work collaboratively with community members on projects designed to educate the general public about watershed issues and needs and what can be done to protect the watersheds. Students reflect periodically on what they are learning in the content areas, about themselves, and their role in society.

no reciprocity between those doing service
and those being served
little, if any, reciprocity between those
doing service and those being served.

intentional reciprocity between those doing
service and those being served

no reflection in process
little, if any, reflection in process

formative and summative reflection critical
to the process
service is the focus with motivation based on either civic duty, religious conviction, or altruism (concern for the welfare of others) service is the focus with motivation based
on either civic duty, religious conviction,
or altruism (concern for the welfare of
others)
learning and service are the foci with
motivation based on addressing or meeting
a community need


Community Service Organizations' Contact Info

Name
Contact Info
Description
Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County
2716 Colby Avenue,  Everett, WA 98201
(425) 258-6289   Fax:(425) 258-4920
http://www.scn.org/hfhswscp/index.htm
Our goal is to lay a foundation for a stronger community by working with people who are dedicated to building a better life for themselves. To achieve this goal, we depend on donated land, labor, money, and materials from citizens, faith communities, and local businesses. We accept government funding only in the form of land donations or funding for land acquisition and development.

Volunteers of all skill levels (there is a youth policy, please see the Volunteer page) come out to the site to work together with the homeowners and Habitat staff in a cooperative partnership to construct our homes. This is a fun and rewarding way to spend the day.
Teens in Public Service (TIPS)
4530 Union Bay Pl. NE Suite 140.
Seattle, WA 98105.
Phone: 206-985-4647.
Fax: 206-985-1919.
tips@teensinpublicservice.org
http://www.teensinpublicservice.org/index.html
Teens In Public Service (TIPS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers youth, ages 15-19, rewarding and life changing work in the form of paid community service internships.

TIPS believes that by engaging young people in their communities today, we can produce a generation of leaders who are socially conscious and dedicated to service.
United Way of Snohomish County
917 134th Street SW, Suite B1
Everett, WA 98204-9377
tel 425.921.3400
fax 425.921.3479
email info@uwsc.org
http://www.uwsc.org/
Leading community change to improve people’s lives in Snohomish County.



















Links

American Association of School Administrators
Community Service: Mandatory or Voluntary?
http://www.aasa.org/publications/sa/2000_08/loupe.htm

Association of Washington Business, Community Service Awards
http://www.awb.org/services/awards/csaawards.asp

Do Something
http://www.dosomething.org/

Georgetown Day School, Community Service Guidelines
http://www.gds.org/communityservice/guidelines.cfm

Global Youth Service Day
http://www.gysd.net/home/

Idealist.org
http://www.idealist.org/

Lakeside School's List of Service Organizations
http://www.lakesideschool.org/upperschool/community/comservice/sl_search.taf

National Association of Elementary School Principals
American Citizenship Award
http://www.naesp.org/ContentLoad.do?contentId=1053

National Youth Service Day
http://www.ysa.org/NYSD/

Network for Good
http://www.networkforgood.org/

Plano East Senior HS CAS Booklet
http://k-12.pisd.edu/schools/planoeast/ib/docs/CAS_Booklet.pdf

Seattle Public Schools, Volunteer Opportunities
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/vol/vol_opps.xml

U.S. Dept. of Ed. Service Learning Webcast, June 21, 2005
Service Learning: Creating Community & Developing Citizens
http://registerevent.ed.gov/

U.S.A. Freedom Corps
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/

Washington Commission for National and Community Service
http://www.ofm.wa.gov/servewa/

Washington State University
Service Learning, Community/Faith Based Youth Development Organizations
http://servicelearning.wsu.edu/community.html