Students Engage in Service Learning

Adam Podskalny » Reporter

Carroll County Public Schools require students to obtain seventy five service hours throughout their middle and high school careers in order to graduate. If you still need hours though, there are many opportunities in the community to get them.
     Juniors and underclassmen need fifty five hours in order to be promoted to senior status, though some have not gotten all their hours, even as seniors. “I never really got around to it.” said senior Tyler Horton. “I’m always busy with work.” When asked what he plans to do to get the missing hours, he responded, “I’ll clean up parks, and do anything I can find.”
     The Maryland State Department of Education website says that service projects help to develop student responsibility, establish community partnerships and equip students with knowledge and skills.
     Some students help at public events in the community, such as festivals, sporting events and fund raisers. Junior Reggie Barry acquired some of his service hours by working at a snack shack at baseball games. Others give help around the holidays and seasonal events. Sophomore Alex Nichols volunteered at an Easter egg hunt for his church to further his service learning.
     “There are only about two students who should be seniors but do not have their fifty-five service hours,” said Assistant Principal Karen Wright. “Nobody has ever been held back from graduating because of not having enough service hours.” Wright also went on to say, “I feel that some students truly care about their service learning because they enjoy helping others.”
     Taking certain courses offered at CHS are also good ways to get hours. Classes like Yearbook Production, Issues in American Society, and even Newspaper production all offer ten service hours per credit. However, Yearbook teacher Pat Rudolph said that “most students are not aware of the fact that they get service hours.” from his class.
     Some opportunities to get service hours can be found at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor. Students are encouraged to help out with church retreats and food services there. Cleanup is needed at various parks in the area such as Piney Run Park, Morgan Run and Westminster Park. 
     To ask about opportunities for service learning, see Wright. Service learning reflection forms can be found in the office and are needed to legitimatize the completed service activity.