In the past few years, community service has become increasingly important as a part of the high school
experience. Whether through a club, team or off campus activity, community service provides an
opportunity for students to expand their interest and participate in rewarding activities.
Etowah High School recognizes students who pursue community service in our annual Honors Day
Celebration with a community service letter or bar. Students who complete a minimum of 60 hours of
service are eligible for a letter or bar.
For more information, please read the attached document labeled “Community Service Guidelines”, or
see Mrs. Szpindor in room 7206. Documents needed to log and verify service are also attached on this
link.
Community Service Letter Guidelines
Like so many in the academic community, Etowah High School encourages the incorporation of service
into a student’s academic portfolio during their time here. Service opportunities provide invaluable
experiences that not only build character but also key skills that will be a factor in future successes. As
such, Etowah High School wants to recognize those who devote time to such endeavors with a Varsity
Letter of Community Service.
To earn a letter, students must serve a minimum of 60 hours of community service within a period of 2
semesters. The semesters need not be consecutive, but must be within a two year period (not 60 hours
spread out over 2 years). At least 50% (30 hours) must be completed as a part of a specific EHS
organization to earn a community service letter.
Service must be to the school community OR the community at large. However, all hours must be tied to
an academic class or club at Etowah High School. Hours completed for service done OUTSIDE of Etowah
High School must be approved PRIOR to their completion by the Service Hours Coordinator. Additional
forms may be required to verify the validity of the service completed.
Similar procedures should be followed for the completion of service hours and projects outside of the
normal school session (holiday, summers). Summer activities are automatically approved if an Etowah
organization sponsors the activity. Exceptions could be made for students who get approval from the
sponsor of services IN ADVANCE for a summer activity or project.
The letters will be awarded by an organization. The student must be a member in good standing of that
organization and 35 or more hours must have been served through that organization. The remaining
hours may be accumulated through other school organizations with a total of not more than three
organizations awarding hours (that includes the awarding organization). This demonstrates the ability to
commit to the mission of a single organization.
Students should turn hours in to a club sponsor on a MONTHLY basis. Logs can include activities
sponsored by multiple organizations at EHS on the same form. The sponsor of the awarding organization
will be responsible for collecting and verifying hours as well has handing in necessary paperwork to the
Service Hours Coordinator.
The Service Hours Coordinator will be charged with “signing off” the verification forms for the purpose
of awarding of a Community Service letter.
Examples of activities that WILL count:
 Hours for Innovation Zone activities – plays, skits, performances
 School service projects – Chip in with the Custodians, school tours, and other activities deemed
appropriate by the sponsor of the school organization.
 “Pro bono” work completed outside of school for an organization
 Non profit clubs/activities
 Work for churches (as long as the activity is not the conducting of a service, proselytizing, etc.)
 Non profit camps
Examples of activities that WILL NOT count:
 Monetary donations or donations “in kind” – ie: collecting cans for service hrs
 Activities with direct financial compensation to the club or organization
 Any fundraising activities
 Activities that require time out of class
 Things already required for an academic class/assignment
 Things that are already counting for another purpose or organization
Some ideas for Service Hours:
 Church/parish activities (non service, non proselytizing)
 Schools – tutoring, after school programming
 Giving times to various charities
 Work at food banks/soup kitchens
 Hours towards completion of projects for Eagle Scout (unless claiming those hours towards
another organization)
 Habitat for Humanity builds
Etowah High School
Community Service Log
Name:____________________________________________
Grade: ______________
E-Mail: ___________________________________________
Student ID: ________________________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________________
Month of Service: ___________________________________
Service Activity
Sponsoring Organization
Academic year
Date(s) of Completion
Number of Hours
Earned
Signature of Sponsor
Request for Service Activity Approval
Etowah High School
Student Name: ____________________________________ Student ID: __________________
Student Email OR Phone: ________________________________________________________
Date of Request: ______________________ Date of Completion of Activity _______________
Name of Organization: __________________________________________________________
Please give a brief description of the purpose/mission behind this organization:
What tasks will you complete for this organization?
Why do these tasks qualify as a community service activity?
Any additional information you feel needs to be shared to give a clear idea of this project:
Is this a non-profit organization? Circle one
yes
no
Will you be financially compensated? Circle one yes
no
Is this during school hours? Circle one
no
yes
Are you claiming this activity for another organization? Circle one
Is this activity a part of the completion of a class assignment? Circle one yes
yes
no
no
VERIFICATION BY MEMBER OF ORGANIZATION:
I verify that the above information is correct in regards to the completion of this service activity.
Signature _______________________________________ Date _______________________