Student Service Learning (SSL)

    2024-2025 SSL Message English

    2024-2025 SSL Message Translated

    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 4th, 2025, will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award.

    SSL Resources

    Student Engagement Letter

     SSL Opportunities 

    • November SSL opportunities 
    • 11.9.24 Veterans Day Urban Farm SSL Opportunity
    • The Melodic Minors (ongoing)
    • Veterans Day SSL Opportunity (November 9, 2024, 9AM-2PM) - Build garden beds and benches, and support an Urban Farm – earn up to 5 SSL hours while giving back to the Earth on Veterans Day!
    • Speak Up, Save A Life” PSA Contest (Deadline Extended to November 12, 2024) - The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office is hosting a Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest for middle school and high school students that challenges teens to create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse or overdose and fentanyl among teens. 
    • Changemaker Workshop (November 14, 2024, 6:30PM-8PM) - Join local and student activists in an online workshop that will connect students with social justice advocates in Montgomery County, MD, so they can learn about the strategies and actions people are taking to improve their communities. 
    • Montgomery County Council Youth Town Hall (November 20, 2024, 7:00PM-8:30PM) - The Montgomery County Council will host their annual Youth Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Please join our Montgomery County Councilmembers and MCPS student leaders as we discuss important youth-centric issues. Student attendees will be able to share their questions and concerns and participate in a dialogue with our county’s leadership.
    • The Choose Respect Video Contest (Deadline: February 16, 2025) is now open! Students may earn 10 SSL hours for quality video submissions about healthy teen dating and the impact of teen dating violence. Interested students may view the contest rules and additional information at this website.
    • Students Teaching Students Video Series - VIRTUAL/REMOTE (Ongoing) – MCPS is seeking students interested in creating a video presentation that teaches a skill or process that would be inspiring or useful for MCPS students in middle or high school. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the submission form.
    • Additional November 2024 SSL Opportunities 
    • Calling all musicians!!
      Hello students,
      Are you a musician interested in spreading your talents throughout your community? Want to earn SSL hours too? Join The Melodic Minors! 
      We are a group of musicians who aim to play musical concerts at senior homes and centers, especially to those who need it most. We also volunteer and play music at elementary schools and daycares to introduce kids to the world of music. We have played in Bethesda, Kensington, Baltimore, Silver Spring, and Rockville! Virtual opportunities will also be available!
      If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please fill out this following form: Mailing List . You can also check out our flyer, attached below for more information!
      Please note that filling out the form does not obligate you to any performances, but rather adds you to our mailing list and means you want more detailed information about opportunities!
      If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to melodicminors2022@gmail.com
      We look forward to any collaboration!
      The Melodic Minors
       
      Best,
       
      Ishaan
     

    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.