WKMS Student Service Learning FAQ

Student Service Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Student Service Learning?

Student Service Learning links academic learning with student service that benefits the community. Service learning is a dynamic and practical teaching method. It’s implemented in a way that connects classroom content and skills to meeting actual community needs. Service learning projects must include academic preparation, service activities, and structured reflection. Service learning projects can be direct (ex: helping serve the homeless at a soup kitchen), indirect (ex: planning a fundraiser to donate proceeds to the local food bank), or advocacy (ex: creating and presenting information to the community about homelessness).

2. What is the difference between Community Service and Student Service Learning?

Student Service Learning must be linked to the curriculum, while this is not required of Community Service.

3. How many Student Service Learning hours are required for graduation?

75 hours. Students can submit a maximum of 25 SSL hours earned during middle school to the high school.

4. How do I earn my Student Service Learning hours?

Students in Frederick County Public Schools fulfill the Maryland state Service Learning graduation requirement by completing service learning activities that are included in 28 essential courses in the curriculum (grades 1-12). This program allows students to fulfill the graduation requirement without pursuing outside service opportunities. If students would like to go above and beyond the graduation requirement, then they can pursue opportunities for service projects within their own communities.

5. How does Windsor Knolls Middle School keep track of Student Service Learning hours?

Windsor Knolls Middle School only keeps track of SSL hours that are above and beyond the graduation requirement. (Curriculum specialists oversee the activities infused in the curriculum as part of the graduation requirement.) Students are required to complete a form that includes all 3 components of SSL: preparation, action, and reflection. Students must have the adult who supervised the activity sign off on the form. When the entire form is completed, students should submit this to the guidance office. During the school year, the SSL coordinator periodically records all SSL and Community Service hours that have been submitted to the guidance office.

6. If all my SSL hours are infused into the curriculum, then why is the school keeping track of the hours?

We keep track of SSL hours for those students who are going above and beyond the graduation requirement in order to recognize those students for doing so.

7. I know that I have to complete a form. Where can I find it?

Forms are available in the guidance office. They are also located on-line. If you would like to find them on-line, go to http://schools.fcps.org/wkms/StudentServiceLearning/SSL%20forms.htm.

8.       There are 2 forms. How do I know which form to use?

One form is for Student Service Learning, and the other form is for Community Service. The Student Service Learning form is more involved than the Community Service form. When you are deciding which form to complete, consider how you want your hours to be counted. Remember that there are 2 different awards that students can receive. One of the awards is the Middle School Meritorious Service Award. Students can earn this award by accumulating at least 25 SSL hours from 6^th through 8^th grade. The Meritorious Service Award is only awarded to 8^th grade students. The other award is the Presidential Service Award. Students can earn this award by volunteering a minimum of 50 hours in one year. This award does not require that all hours are SSL hours, which is the reason that we have the Community Service form. Activities such as volunteering as a youth leader at church would count for the Presidential Award but would not count for the Meritorious Service Award due to the Maryland SSL guidelines.

9.       I noticed that the forms state that all hours must be turned into the guidance office by a certain date. If I miss the date, can I still submit hours?

Yes, this date is a cut-off date for hours that you want to be counted towards receiving an award for that school year. If you would like to have your hours counted regardless of your award status, then continue to submit those hours to the guidance office. This date is also important for 8^th grade students who are going on to the high school for the following school year. If you would like to have your SSL hours submitted to the high school, then you must honor the deadline.

10.   How do I know what kind of activities count for SSL hours?

The state of Maryland has comprised a list of guidelines, which are located with the SSL forms.

11.   If I don’t earn enough hours to receive an award, then what is the point of doing the service?

The point of all service whether it is Student Service Learning or Community Service is giving back to your community. Students who engage in service-learning develop the social, personal, and intellectual skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the community.