Community Service Learning Program
Each student is required to complete twenty (20) clock hours of
community service for graduation from the Grain Valley School District.
Ten (10) of those hours can be done within the school setting but not
within the hours of 7:40 AM to 2:30 PM during the week. “Community
Service” by definition is an activity which promotes better living for
persons within a “community” setting. Community means a group of people
living in the same general geographic area under the same governmental
rules. However, work done for biological family members does not qualify
as Community Service.
The goal of Community Service Learning
is “to blend service and learning activities in such a way that the two
reinforce each other and produce a greater impact than either could
produce alone."(Fenstermaker)
The service learning
instructional methodology integrates community service with academic
instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking, and civic
responsibility.” (American Association of Community Colleges) This type
of learning experience takes the focus off of the student and puts the
focus on the greater good for the whole. The students also experience
how academic learning and real life experience are tied together.
Students must document their community service hours and may do so by
obtaining a “Community Service Log” in room 201, or visit the link below. The Organizational
name, types of services performed, including dates and hours, as well as
a supervisor’s signature and phone number will be required.
Download the GVHS Community Service Log form
Note* Students participating in the A+ program, of which 50 hours unpaid
tutoring is required, may apply ten (10) of these hours toward their
twenty (20) hour community service graduation requirement. The remainder
of the graduation requirement of ten (10) hours would need to be
completed outside the Grain Valley School District.
Why do community service?
To Enable Students:
- to begin networking for the future
- to create job related experiences
- to have a broader range of experiences to place on applications, resumes, and scholarships
- to experience and gain knowledge of the diversity within the Kansas City area
- to discover how to participate in voluntarism
- to meet the graduation requirement of community service