STMA High School Community Service Mission Statement:
To encourage and enhance student involvement in the community and develop a desire to help others while growing as an individual and a productive member of society.
STMA Graduation Requirement
To earn a diploma from St. Michael-Albertville High School, a student must complete a total of 4 community service hours through a minimum of 2 different activities for each year in attendance. This totals 16 service hours through a minimum of 8 activities for a standard freshman-to-senior high school career. Students who do not complete this requirement by the end of their senior year will not receive a diploma. Note the following guidelines:
- Total of 4 (four) hours per year earned through 2 (two) activities for each year in attendance.
- No more than 3 (three) hours will be granted to any 1 (one) activity.
- Activity is defined as an acceptable service that is done in one day.
- You cannot break one four-hour period on the same day into two different activities.
- Students cannot earn more hours to “work ahead”, but can catch up for lost hours if fallen behind.
Definitions
- Community Service - Work performed for others that is not for pay nor for a class grade. The goal of community service is to improve the community in which you live or another community that might need help.
- Activity - One activity is assisting with an individual organization or event per day. Multiple activities may be earned in one day, but must be for separate organizations or events.
- School Year - School year begins the first day of summer to the last day of the following school year.
Acceptable Activities
- Community activities not for pay or a class grade
- Community activities through school clubs, organizations, or church groups
- Service in any community, even outside of the STMA school district
- Non-Family individual assistance, such as babysitting, moving, painting, cleaning
- Fundraisers assisting community groups
Unacceptable Activities
- Assisting a family member/relative
- Assisting teachers, janitors or other school personnel in regular duties
- Court-ordered community service hours
- Activities related to a business for profit, or student/adult place of employment
Earning Community Service Hours
Students’ homeroom advisors will approve acceptable community service activity hours. If a student has questions as to whether an activity is acceptable, he/she should consult the homeroom advisor for pre-approval.
Large Projects
Large project activities (i.e. mission trips, Eagle Scout projects, multi-day activities) can be counted as 1 activity per day for a maximum of 3 hours per day. However, a large project can only count for a maximum total of 8 of the 16 hours needed for graduation.
Questions
If you have any questions see your Homeroom teacher or contact Joe Peatrowsky, Science Teacher.