No. SSL requires planning and documentation. It
must be performed with a nonprofit, tax exempt organization and supervised by their representative. SSL
includes the phases of preparation, action and reflection. Students may earn a maximum of 8 SSL hours within a 24-hour period. Students may not be compensated for their services.
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Students graduating before 2011 are required to complete 60 SSL hours before graduation. Beginning with the Class of 2011 students will complete seventy-five (75) service learning hours for graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 7 will complete 65 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 8 will complete 55 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 9 will complete 45 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 10 will complete 35 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 11 will complete 20 SSL hours before graduation.
- Students who enroll in MCPS for the first time in Grade 12 will complete 10 SSL hours before graduation.
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- Full participation in service-learning aspects and successful completion of specific middle and high school courses.
- Participation in service-learning activities
promoted by school sponsored clubs or organizations.
The advisor verifies the SSL hours.
- Participation with pre-approved community organizations and opportunities; both the organization and the opportunity must be pre-approved.
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Yes, at the SSL homepage (www.mcpsssl.org) click on 'Find Opportunities Now'. Preapproved organizations are tagged 'Approved SSL MCPS'. Preapproved opportunities are tagged 'MCPS SSL Approved'. Both the organization and the opportunity must be tagged as approved.
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The SSL coordinator is available in every middle and high
school to provide information about the
SSL requirement, opportunities, timelines, and forms. MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre-approval are reviewed and approved
by the SSL coordinator in advance of service. Hours
documented on verification forms (a maximum of 8 within a 24-hour period) are put into the
student record. Hours required, completed and remaining
are reflected on the report card every 9 weeks from
grade 6 on through high school. Students should keep copies of all SSL documents.
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MCPS Form 560-51;
Student Service Learning Activity Verification is required to document every SSL activity. MCPS
Form 560-50;
Request for SSL Pre-approval is required to be completed and approved
by the SSL coordinator in advance of participation
in any activity with an organization that is not
listed as pre-approved for SSL. SSL forms are available
in any middle or high school and can be downloaded
from the SSL home
page. Students should keep copies of all SSL
documents.
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Yes. Approval of MCPS Form 560-50;
Request for SSL Pre-approval is required in advance of service with
organizations and opportunities that are not listed at www.mcpsssl.org as MCPS SSL approved.
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Exceptions to the nonprofit, tax-exempt SSL
rule are for-profit assisted living facilities/nursing homes. Students may
earn SSL hours in these facilities with an MCPS
Form 560-50
Request for SSL Pre-approval approved in advance of the service.
All SSL hours must be performed directly with
the residents/clients/patients.
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Yes. The Superintendent’s Student Service
Learning Award is are given to middle school students
who have contributed 75 or more hours of service
to their communities within a one-year period (May 1 - April 30). Certificates
of Meritorious Service are awarded to graduating
seniors who have contributed 260 or more hours of
service by the time of graduation.
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| Yes. Students may appeal decisions made by the
school based SSL coordinator and the SSL advisory committee to the
school principal. Extenuating circumstances substantiating
the appeal may be presented via
a written communication from the student to the administrator.
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The Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC)
and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) have
information on all nonprofit, tax exempt organizations with opportunities
that are pre-approved for SSL. Representatives from
nonprofit, tax exempt organizations interested in becoming pre-approved
for SSL must contact the MCVC (phone: 240-777-2600),
attend an orientation, show proof of tax-exempt
status, and liability insurance coverage. Nonprofit organizations
must agree to the overall MCPS SSL guidelines. Nonprofit organizations
are required to provide yearly updates of information
to the MCVC.
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Attend orientations at the MCVC. Provide written
job descriptions about secular activities. Comply with preparation, action,
and reflection aspects of SSL. Provide certificate
of liability insurance and identify staff responsible
for supervising students. Evaluate student performance.
Increase student awareness of social issues. Meet
recognized community needs. Develop student responsibility.
Explore career paths with students. Maintain accurate
records of student service. Verify student service
in a timely manner using paperwork required by MCPS.
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- SSL hours are awarded by adults who surpervise the student and represent the organization. One's parent, guardian, or relative cannot award SSL hours to the student.
- Students receive one SSL hour for every hour of service outside of the instructional day.
- They may accumulate a maximum of 8 hours in any 24 hour period.
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Yes. The service activity must have a secular
purpose and be based on a recognized need in the
community. The service must reach beyond the membership
of the religious organization. SSL activities cannot include
preparation or participation in the performance
of religious services. Religious institutions and
their activities are often on the pre-approved but not recruiting.
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Yes. Students may earn SSL hours with political organizations tagged, 'Approved SSL MCPS', while performing opportunities
that are tagged 'MCPS SSL Approved'.
A list of approved organizations and activities
can be found at www.mcpsssl.org.
Service to an individual running for public office of any kind requires
the approval of MCPS Form 560-50;
Request for SSL Pre-approval prior to the service. Completed applications
are submitted to the school SSL coordinator for
approval. SSL hours are not awarded for door-to-door distribution or financial solicitation. All service must occur in a public place under the supervision of an adult, other than a parent, representing the candidate or organization.
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| Yes. For-profit organizations (such as banks, businesses, and corporations) that promote activities that address recognized community needs through activities such as coat drives, food collections, etcs may award SSL hours to involved students who have secured an approved MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre-approval in advance of the activity.
Currently, students may earn SSL hours with for-profit assisted living facilities and nursing homes for direct services to the residents/patients/clients. An approved MCPS Form 560-50, Request for SSL Pre-approval is required in advance of the service.
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Yes. Some activities for which students may not earn SSL hours include: Door-todoor distribution of any kind, service supervised by parent or close relative, service without sponsorship of a nonprofit, tax exempt organization, service that has a religious purpose, service supervised by one younger than 18 years of age, service performed in a private residence/home, and service resulting in financial or other compensation.
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Yes. MCPS students may participate in SSL opportunities
with a wide geographic range of nonprofit organizations.
Opportunities with nonprofit organizations not tagged as 'MCPS SSL Approved' and approval
of MCPS Form 560-50;
Request for SSL Pre-approval.
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Yes.
- Nonprofit organizations provide opportunities that
address need in the greater community indirectly.
Clothing and food drives are examples of indirect
service activities.
- Nonprofit organizations provide opportunities that
address needs in the greater community directly.
Serving the elderly, working at soup kitchens
are examples of direct service activities.
- Nonprofit organizations provide opportunities that
address needs in the greater community through
advocacy
activities. Letter writing promoting a particular viewpoint and participation in community events are examples of advocacy
service activities.
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