The Cord of Service

Program Guidelines and Procedures

 

Purpose: In order to recognize, honor, and value students who engage in a high level (both quantitatively and qualitatively) of service to the community, Columbia High School began its Service Cord Program in 2000.  During Senior Awards Night, these exceptional students are awarded the Cord of Service which is to be proudly worn during the graduation ceremony.

Requirements: The number of hours accumulated during the student’s tenure at Columbia High is the only requirement for this initiative. In order to qualify for the service cord program, students are required to earn an average of 40 community service hours per year that the student is in attendance at Columbia High School. For students who do not attend Columbia High School for 4 years, the following table will be used:

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The number of hours is a total for the course of the student’s high school experience. If a student earns 30 hours one year, 50 the next, 35 the next and 45 the final year, the total is still 160, and the student will still qualify. Service hours from the summer before the Intent to Serve is signed are allowed.

Students are responsible for declaring their intent to participate in the program. Declaration forms are available in the guidance office, and Ms. Spear’s room, F102. Verification forms may also be picked up in Spear’s room F102. These forms are to be turned in to Spear for verification and filing. Students are responsible for completing and maintaining the cumulative report and for submitting all documents at the end of each academic year for review by the Service Awards Committee.

Hours are to be earned in one-hour increments (i.e., two 30-minute sessions will not suffice). You cannot claim more than five (5) consecutive hours without a break.

Guidelines: Students may not receive payment or compensation in any form for services performed. Hours performed for any group organization, which in turn profits financially from the service, will not count, i.e. fundraisers.

The following will NOT count toward service hours: school activities (ex.-decorating for prom or homecoming); duties associated with an elected school office that should be carried out in the normal course of duty for that office; family obligations (ex.-babysitting or caring for other family members); duties performed in association with student's employment; tutoring a friend (ex.-study groups, proofreading a friend's paper, studying for an exam). The overriding issue should be that the community service is done primarily to benefit others in the community at-large and should be something out of the student's normal course of action.

The following MAY count toward service hours (this list is not comprehensive): volunteer duties associated with a church; Boy Scout/Girl Scout service hours; River clean up; Highway clean up; blood drives (including giving blood); structured tutoring (such as younger students/extended day reviews); service hours honored by PALs, NHS, Student Council, and other school organizations. Activities about which the student is unclear should be cleared through Spear.

Deadlines: A student may declare his/her Intent to Serve in the program at any time. However, all hours must be completed by the last Friday of March of the student’s senior year.  Time verification forms for seniors and early graduates will be reviewed during the first two weeks of April each year, all other students' materials during May of each year. Official files will be maintained in Spear’s room, but all participants are strongly encouraged to maintain personal copies of all materials as the final responsibility for maintenance of records resides with the participant.

                                                                                                           Thank you for participating.

Declaration of Intent to Serve

 

I, ___________________________________________, do hereby certify my intent to participate in the Cord of Service Program at Columbia High School. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that hours earned must be in accordance with the guidelines set for this program. Furthermore, I agree to participate with honesty and integrity, and pledge that my acts of service are to benefit my community and those with whom I come into contact. I will represent myself, my school, and my family to the best of my ability, always keeping in mind that as people see me, so will they see my school and my family. I pledge to treat everyone with whom I have contact with the utmost respect and caring, realizing that at any given time I may be the one in need of a helping hand and would desire to be treated in kind.

 

Student Signature:  ___________________________________________     Date: ______________________

 

Parent’s Signature: ___________________________________________     Date: ______________________

 

Years of student attendance at Columbia High School:

                      _____ 9^th                      _____ 10^th                    _____11^th                     _____12^th

I will need ______________ hours of community service to earn my Cord of Service.

 

 

Below this line is for official use only.

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Annual Review Committee:                    

Year	Total	Reviewer Signature
9th
10th
11th
12th
All
	Recommended for Cord
	Did Not Meet Cord Requirements