Student Service-Learning |
PHMS raised more than $20,000 for the Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. Thank you to our Perry Hall Community for helping us to be #1 in the State for raising funds again this year! |
| What is Service-Learning? |
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) defines it as follows: Service-Learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning. Students improve their academic skills by applying what they learn in school to the real world; they then reflect on their experience to reinforce the link between their service and their learning-- Learning in Deed.
Service-learning is different than:
- Volunteerism: Volunteers engage in service for a variety of personal reasons. They do not necessarily link their service to academic studies nor do they receive academic credit for their efforts.
- Community Service: People engaging in community service do so for a variety of reasons. This is a broad term that can encompass court ordered, stipended, or volunteer service. It also does not necessarily link to academic studies.
- Work Study Internship: Student interns frequently work at for-profit businesses to benefit the financial standing of that business. They are not necessarily working to improve their communities through these internship experiences. There can be overlap between work study internships and service-learning. Students are engaging in service-learning, if, through their internship experiences, they work to improve the health or welfare of their community while making the link to their academic studies.
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| How many service hours do students need? |
To earn a high school diploma, students need 75 hours of service-learning before the end of their Senior Year of high school. Hours are earned within the classroom curriculum as well as through independent service projects, which can begin after graduation from 5th grade.
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| What qualifies as an independent project? |
Independent projects must meet a need in the community that is provided through volunteer time. In addition, an independent project must provide student learning, for example, about a job, skill, population, subject area, etc. Guidelines and a list of organizations in Baltimore who accept students as volunteers can be picked up at PHMS at any time.
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| How are independent projects completed? |
Individual projects require pre-approval. Students should complete the Pre-Approval and Preparation forms and submit them to the school's Service Learning Coordinator (Mrs. Bley). If the project is approved, the form will be returned to the student and should be re-submitted with the Verification of Hours and the Reflection forms after the service project is complete.
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| How are hours recorded? |
Hours are documented in Baltimore County's central system. Students can also see their service learning hours on every report card.
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| What if I have more questions? |
Contact Mrs. Bley at 410-887-5102 or Email Mrs. Bley |
| Service Learning Opportunities: |
Sign up for the Students Sharing Coalition's Summer Service Action Camp. Two sessions are available: July 7 - July 18 and July 28 - August 8, 2008. Visit www.studentssharing.org or call 410-662-8999 for more information |
