| Information on Community Involvement for Students and Parent | -
Every Ontario student who begins high school after September 1, 1999 will complete 40 hours of community involvement activities in order to receive a graduation diploma. Students experience the satisfaction that comes from helping other people. They gain valuable experiences working with volunteer groups and learning about service to people and organizations. -
Students will select one or more community involvement activities in consultation with their parents. Selection of activities should take into account the age, maturity, and ability of the student, the location and environment of the proposed activity, and the need for any special training, equipment, and preparation. The safety of the student is paramount.
PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS CANNOT BE PAID FOR PERFORMING
ANY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES. |
| What Steps must Students Follow? | Talk with your parent about community involvement. -
Read the list of ineligible activities and the list of eligible activities in this pamphlet. -
Select one or more of the eligible activities. -
Do not select any ineligible activities. -
Before you begin the activity, fill out the form "Notification of Planned Community Involvement Activities". Sign it, and have your parent sign it (if under age 18). Give the form to your Teacher Adviser or other teacher designated by your Principal. As you plan additional activities, you may submit another form. -
Remember your responsibilities: to be actively involved, to do your best, to be a positive ambassador for young people in the community. -
When you complete each activity, fill out the form "Completion of Community Involvement Activities", and ask your parent and the community sponsor (the "supervisor" that gave you the community involvement opportunity) to sign it. Give this form to your Teacher Adviser or designated teacher. |
| What Steps Must Parent Follow? | -
Help your child to select appropriate community involvement activities. -
Communicate with the community sponsor and the teacher-adviser or school principal if you have any questions or concerns. -
Sign the "Notification of Planned Community Involvement Activities" form before the activity begins, and the "Completion of Community Involvement Activities" form after the activity is completed (if the student is under the age of eighteen years). -
Ensure that no activities from the list of ineligible activities appear on either form. -
Consider purchasing student accident insurance for personal injury if private personal coverage is insufficient. |
| What are the opportunities for and responsibilities of Community Sponsors? | -
Strengthen relationships with young people. -
Help students understand and develop a commitment to the larger community. -
Call your local secondary school to provide information about the opportunities you can offer within your organization. -
Provide any training or special preparation that is required for the activity. -
Encourage the student to do a good job. -
Consider writing a letter of reference for the student. -
Provide a safe environment for students. -
Sign the "Completion of Community Involvement Activities" form, verifying the date(s) and number of hours. |
| What are the Responsibilities of the Thames Valley District School Board? | -
Implement community involvement activities in secondary schools. -
Maintain the list of eligible activities in this pamphlet (.pdf form located below). -
Consult with School Council representatives, the Special Education Advisory Committee, and the Board’s insurer. -
Not approve student participation in any activities that are on the Ministry’s list of ineligible activities. -
Ensure that all participants, including students and community sponsors, are adequately covered by the Board’s liability insurance for personal injury or property damage to others who are third parties to the organization. |
| What are the Responsiblities of the Principal? | -
Provide information about the community involvement requirement to parents, students and community sponsors. -
Provide students with the information and forms they will need to complete the community involvement requirement. -
Provide a list of eligible activities from which to choose. -
Sign approval of the student Notification Form if the parent or student has marked "No" regarding ineligible activities, or contact the student to indicate non approval. -
Decide whether the student has met the community involvement requirement upon receipt of documentation supporting 40 hours of community involvement. -
Record as completed on the student’s official transcript. |
| INELIGBLE Community Involvement Activities (Thames Valley District High School) | An ineligible activity is an activity that: is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education, job shadowing, work experience); rovides remuneration to the student; takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or "spare" periods is permissible; takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age; takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age; takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult; would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace; involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding; involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons; involves handling of substances classed as "designated substances" under the Occupational Health and Safety Act; requires the knowledge of a trades person whose trade is regulated by the provincial government; involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables; consists of duties normally performed in the home (e.g. daily chores) or personal recreational activities, such as athletics, music, drama; or involves a court-ordered program (e.g. community service program for young offenders, probationary program). |
| ELIGBLE Community Involvement Activities (Ministry of Education) | In the Community Offer assistance to charitable organizations, service clubs and other not-for-profit organizations, such as: -
canvassing, walk-a-thons, celebrity games; -
coaching minor sports teams; -
helping to organize events in your community such as a summer fair or winter carnival; -
participating in environmental projects, e.g. clean-up, tree planting, recycling; -
assisting at seniors’ residences, hospitals, nursing homes, e.g. serving snacks, helping with crafts, visitation; -
leading others in your faith community; -
performing community projects, e.g. food bank, welcoming committees; -
assisting in local parks and recreational facilities. Individual Support -
Provide assistance such as: -
activities involving seniors, e.g. helping shop, reading letters, shovelling snow, visiting hospitals; activities with young people, e.g. tutoring, transcribing, reading buddies; -
assisting individuals with disabilities. In the School Help others, with activities such as: - peer helping;
- timing, scoring, managing a team;
- coaching a younger team;
- organizing the school art show.
Note: An eligible activity may not count towards a credit or school recognition such as a school letter, and may not take place during the student’s regular classroom time. |
| | |
| | |
