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 

    • The 2024-2025 MCPS Student Expectations Training Module is available on Canvas for students to access. Students must fully complete the training module to earn 3 SSL hours.
    • Save a Student Summit (January 4, 2025, 10AM-12:30PM) - Learn about the impact of Fentanyl, get trained on using Narcan, and participate in an onsite advocacy project! Students may earn up to 3 SSL hours for participating in this advocacy opportunity. To learn more, please visit this link - https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1027958 
    • 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.
    • MCPS National History Day (March 8, 2025, 8:00am - 2:00pm) - For MCPS Students 18+ - MCPS is looking for HS students 18+ to judge student projects at the National History Day County Competition on March 8, 2025! Students will receive 6 SSL hours, as well as breakfast and lunch on the day of the event. To learn more, please visit this link - https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1014803
    • Students Teaching Students Video Series (Ongoing) – MCPS is seeking students interested in creating a video presentation that teaches a skill or process that would be inspiring or useful for students in middle or high school. Students may earn 10 SSL hours for successful submission of all items identified in the submission form.
    • Additional January 2025 SSL Opportunities
     

    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.