Community Service
The Philosophy of Community Service:
“Community Service” are activities which students perform to benefit the greater community, and for which the student receives no compensation or any type of payment, academic credit, or personal benefit.
The Guidelines: Forty (40) hours of community service must be completed by May 1 of the student’s senior year to earn a PHS diploma.
Students may begin earning community service hours after completion of 8th grade. Hours may be accrued throughout the calendar year, including summers. Hours performed are meant to enhance the learning environment and broaden the student’s life experience. Therefore, service hours accumulated are above and beyond the normal school day, per board policy. Community service must be completed by May 1st of the student’s senior year to be awarded a PHS diploma.
Service may be performed for non-profit schools or community organizations and/or for disabled or elderly individuals, excluding friends and family members.
Community service may be accrued through extra-curricular organizations such as National Honor Society, Peer Assistant Leaders, scouts, or a church youth group.
Food and clothing drives, yard or highway cleanup, and nursing home visits are all examples of acceptable service.
Hours directly related to the propagation of one’s faith, such as teaching Sunday school and/or assisting at church, may count toward community service hours. Attending church services does not count.
Services performed for any type of business or person that makes a profit will not be accepted. This includes parents’ workplaces unless that workplace is a non-profit organization. This includes neighborhood associations, maintenance of private clubs and/or organizations in which membership fees/dues are collected.
Services performed that have been court ordered cannot be accepted. The Community Service Log used for tracking hours and services may be picked up in Student Services or found online. If there is a question regarding whether an activity is acceptable, see a high school administrator prior to beginning the service. Students are advised to submit forms to the Student Services as hours are completed and to keep a copy for their records.
Due to previous Covid restrictions, Class of 2024 30 hours, Class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 40 hours of community service to earn a PHS diploma.
Looking for Student Volunteers?
If you are looking for student volunteers, please fax your information and the details of the work to be performed to the high school at (269) 685-9064. It will then be posted on our Community Service Bulletin Board for students to view.