There will soon be more good deeds going on around the Armstrong School District.
Beginning this school year, community service learning is a graduation requirement.
Freshmen and sophomores are required to complete 15 hours of service each year, for a total of 30 hours. That will earn 0.5 credits toward graduation. Juniors and seniors have the option of volunteering for an additional 30 hours of community service, which will earn them an additional 0.5 credits toward graduation.
Kids can assist senior citizens, or do volunteer work for hospitals, animal shelters, or church organizations. The requirement could also be fulfilled by working for non-profit groups such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Serving as a junior firefighter also counts; so does tutoring other students. Principals and guidance counselors will evaluate students' community service ideas and guide students through the process.
Administrators believe that students will learn a sense of commitment to the schools and community through volunteer service and will become aware of resources, services and issues specific to the Armstrong School District community.
Information is available online at Armstrong School District's Web site. Go to www.asd.k12.pa.us, click on "School Board," "Board Policy," and click "Policy 254: Student Leadership Program" or its administrative guidelines beneath it.
This is part of the new Student Leadership Program, an initiative of superintendent William Kerr and the district's administration that is designed to give more opportunities to high school students. The Student Leadership Program also includes school board representation and internship opportunities for high school students.
