Community Service Learning

  • Community Service Learning

    Serve your community and earn a credit towards graduation!

    Community Service Learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs. Learn more about Community Service Learning from the district's slide deck.

    As a way to help foster civic responsibility, Arkansas Act 648 allows students to earn one credit towards graduation after completing 75 hours of approved community service learning over their high school career (Class of 2024-2026). Starting with the Class of 2027, 75 hours of approved CSL will be required for graduation.

    To qualify for the credit, students must document their preparation, action, and reflection using the documentation form below:

    Community Service Learning Documentation Form

    Requires the upload of your completed/signed
    Community Service Learning Verification

    Starting with the Class of 2027:

    • Students must complete 75 total hours of community service to graduate.
    • Students can choose where they volunteer their time. Hours must be verified by the organization. Parents/guardians will be responsible for making sure the organization is safe and a good fit for their student.
    • Students can start inputting their hours into their school's Community Service Documentation Form today. Community service hours can be completed between the summer before 9th grade and graduation to attain the 75-hour requirement.
    • Students can reference the Community Service Learning slide deck for links to their school’s CSL documentation form. Verification of hours must be documented and put into the CSL form.
    • In-person Opportunities


      Friendly Bookstore

      Contact:  friendlybook@sbcglobal.net

       

      Habitat for Humanity

      Contact:  katie@habitatbentoncountyar.org

       

      Camp War Eagle Ozone

      People can donate used books and magazines and volunteer by running the store.

      Nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.

      Participate in events they set up like Streetfest (trick or treating)

      Volunteer to help kids at an after school program (SOAR) or Ozone Elementary.

       

      Samaritan Community Center

      Contact:  sgreen@samcc.org

      Serves the hurting and hungry of Northwest Arkansas through a compassionate community of staff and volunteers

       

      Goodwill

       

      Helping Hands, Inc

       

      Angel Tree

      Available in most stores through Thanksgiving/Christmas

       

      Socks and Cookies

      Help work in a small store that will do various activities such as retail, tutoring, fundraising, and sorting out donations

      Be a part of a team of volunteers working in a thrift store giving back to the community

      Using a child or family’s Christmas list to provide with them they need and want for Christmas

      Creating a box with pre packaged food and socks for veterans

       

      Teen Action and Support Center

      Teens learn leadership skills by learning/ helping the homeless

       

      Arkansas Public Theater

      Help during shows and act as an usher or work at concessions

      Self-initiated volunteer opportunities:

      Donate to hospitals, retail stores, thrift stores

      Sell pre-packaged items (candy/chocolate bars)

      Write and send letters to Veterans

      Rake leaves/shovel snow

      Participate at food banks

      Donate blood

      Make masks

    • Virtual Opportunities


       
      Can create different art projects and upload to slide shows for little children.
       
      Share red cross content, and write letters to healthcare providers
       
      A free mobile app that helps read books, go over nutrition facts, and any other need for the visually
       
      Set up video calls with elementary children and you can read to them
       
      Virtual tutoring for kids of any age.
       
      Decode the location of oil spills

      Find evidence of drone strikes

      Help flag abusive tweets to women politicians in India
       
      Help researchers record data about wild animals, space, all kinds of things. Pick your project!