What is Community Service?

"Community Service shall be defined as service performed for approved persons, organizations or agencies outside of the student's home and/or family. The service shall be performed without monetary compensation and hours shall be accumulated in the form of time spent. Services shall not be performed as part of the regular school day, unless students are participating in a school sponsored school/community service project. Community service hours earned through participation in school-based student organizations that perform community service is permissible."

For more information on community service and volunteer opportunities in our area visit the United Way's website at volunteerelpaso.org

Community Service must meet the following criteria

• Performed for the benefit of the community;

• Performed outside the school day except for approved service activities;

• Performed during the school day if it involves tutoring or providing assistance to the entire school through non-required activity (i.e. tutoring , campus improvement projects); and 

• Receive no monetary compensation for work performed or hours contributed.

Examples of Community Service

There are many ways a student might accumulate Community Hours. For example the following may be considered as appropriate community service:

• Sponsored by school-based organizations if it benefits the community and/or school and does not directly contribute resources back to the school or district (i.e. fund raising for band uniforms, etc. does not qualify.)

• Sponsored by community-based public, private, or religious organizations if the activity is not on school time, does not generate financial gain for the student, and contributes to the greater good of the community.

• Pre-approved non-profit organizations

• Humane Society

• Senior Centers

• Nursing Homes

• Homeless Shelters

• Community Centers

• Convalescent Homes

• Habitat for Humanity

• Church projects and/or instruction

• Child Crisis Center

• Family Violence Center

• Battered Women's Shelter

• Non-Profit Community Projects (arts, athletics, Government , community)

• Charity Walks/Runs

• Coaching youth leagues/teams without compensation

• Blood Drive Assistance

• Donating Blood (1 hour)

• Others as approved by the campus principal

Students may also provide service to the school through principal-approved activities such as

• Clean the campus grounds

• Clean stadium, track, field, or court following home games

• Tutor students in need of assistance to pass core classes

• Assist during district parent nights or parent seminars

• Create campus/class/club logos and /or mission statements

• Reading to elementary school students

• Mentoring younger students for academic purposes