Service Learning helps students build character by allowing them to foster and develop personal values, beliefs, awareness, self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of empathy and social responsibility. It is a teaching model that uses community service as a vehicle to help students reach their academic goals and objectives. Service learning is based on a reciprocal relationship in which service in the community reinforces and strengthens learning in the classroom, and classroom experiences reinforce and strengthen interaction in the community.

Our experience in Abington has suggested a marked increase in attendance, greater opportunities for social development, more scholarships granted by accepting colleges, a lower rate of suspensions, and fewer incidents of juvenile crime in Abington Township since the inception of our Service Learning Program.

1. Has a positive effect on student personal development such as sense of personal efficacy, personal identity, spiritual growth, and moral development

2. Has a positive effect on interpersonal development and the ability to work well with others, leadership, and communication skills

3. Has a positive effect on reducing stereotypes and facilitating cultural and racial understanding

4. Has a positive effect on sense of social responsibility, citizenship, and commitment to service

5. Has an impact on academic outcomes such as demonstrated complexity of understanding, problem analysis, critical thinking, and cognitive development

6. Contributes to career development and can influence major and career selection

7. Contributes to stronger student/faculty relationships

8. Has long-term effects that may surface even years after graduation in terms of public service commitment, willingness to contribute to social causes, and willingness to give back to one’s institution

9. Has relevance, it helps to link the often abstract theory of the classroom with day-to-day experiences of students and community members

10. Builds Community, links students, faculty, and the institution of higher learning to the local community and beyond.

• Working on an (after) school based service project such as the Eyeglasses Project, Quilts for Kids (if you turn in a completed quilt), the Red Cross Club, or Martin Luther King Day of Service Committee

• Service projects through the Builders Club, Green Thumbs, Key Club, Leo Club, Red Cross Club, or BuildOn (a reasonable amount of time can be counted for planning, preparation, and celebrating your accomplishments, but not every meeting can be counted as SERVICE to the community)

• Walk-A-Thons/5K races may be counted for the actual hours that you volunteer or for 3 hours but only if you are making a minimum $30 financial contribution, as the intent of the walks is primarily fundraising

• Participating in Abington Sr. High Trunk or Treat will count as 3 hours of service.

• Participating in the Sr. High Mini-Thon will count as 5 hours of service and can be applied towards SLD credit.

• Only actual, unpaid, time spent in performance at or for a charitable event will count for musical performances and theatrical productions. Rehearsals will not count. 

• Mentorship projects such as leading children’s homework clubs, youth groups, helping with younger scouts, coaching children’s sports teams, etc.

• Service that takes place during regular school hours, such as Poppy Bear helper or Reading Buddies will count because these activities benefit the community.

• (Ungraded) Internships where a service to the community is performed

• Working on political campaigns or voter registration efforts

• Faith-based activities that include volunteering to teach or assist with programs (count as a mentorship)

• Painting and cleaning the church, mosque, or synagogue; mentoring children after school; youth group community-based service projects

• Mission trips where service is the main component (excluding eating, sleeping, worshiping and playing)

• Work Study and Transition to Work hours are considered part of a student’s educational plan and are intended to benefit the student, himself. Students receive a grade for their work and therefore it does not count as service, for which student’s may receive no compensation such as pay or school credit.

• Something done for your family such as painting your house, moving, or taking care of a grandparent

• Activities done for able-bodied neighbors such as moving, painting, and lawn care

• Managing or being on an athletic team, being an announcer (for sports teams or the school’s morning announcements) or stage crew are considered extra-curricular activities and do not meet the definition of service to the community

• Participating in Student Council, Class Council or other school organizations does not count towards service hours.  However, doing a service project or organizing a charitable drive with that organization may count. 

• Participating in fundraising activities that benefit a team or club (carwashes, bake sales)

• Activities where you pay to learn a skill, hobby or craft (dance, filmmaking, lifeguard, athletics)

• Activities related to hobbies: playing in musical groups, bands or organizations, cleaning out stables when horseback riding are not considered service.  However if you are able to do a service or charitable PROJECT with that group or organization, that time can count. 

• Hosting a foreign exchange student does not count for service hours

• Career shadowing does not count towards service hours.

• Fostering an animal (maximum 50 hours per year, regardless of the number of animals being fostered)

• Working for a profit-based business when you are not paid

• Babysitting

• Eating, sleeping, worship, and playtime on a mission trip

• A contribution to a collection drive such as prom gowns, books, soda tabs, coats, food, and toiletries. There are two exceptions: a successful blood donation for the American Red Cross (three hours), and a toy donation of $10.00 or more for Toys for Tots (up to three hours).

• Activities that take place during a normal worship service such as ushering, participation in choir, playing music for a service, or other worship activities

• Door-to-door proselytizing

• Court-mandated service hours or school-mandated activities for discipline infraction

Some, but not all, of the activities listed above may count for the Congressional Award, which is a federal program that includes personal growth, athletic and travel experiences. Congressional Award has different requirement than the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Grading

As established by the Abington Board of School Directors, students are expected to complete 10 hours of service in grade nine, 10 hours of service in grade ten, and 10 hours of service in grade eleven. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everyone can be great because anyone can serve." We believe the service program at Abington School District affords our students the opportunity to excel and learn life-long lessons of compassion, leadership, and citizenship. Students are graded in their social studies classes. Abington Senior High School students will be required to submit evidence proving the completion of the service learning requirements prior to May 31.

Freshmen are graded on the following

1. Minimum four journal entries per year

2. Serve a minimum of 10 hours in the community

3. Assessment and grading will be done through the social studies class.

Sophomores are graded on the following

1. Minimum four journal entries per year

2. Serve a minimum of 10 hours in the community

3. Assessment and grading will be done through the social studies class.

Juniors are graded on the following (NEW 2024-2025)

1. Minimum four journal entries per year

2. Serve a minimum of 10 hours in the community

3. Assessment and grading will be done through the social studies class.

• 9th grade: minimum of 10 hours of service learning with at least 4 in-class journal entries

• 10th grade: minimum of 15 hours of service learning with at least 4 in-class journal entries

• 11th grade: minimum of 20 hours of service learning with at least 6 in-class journal entries and the completion of the culminating project, including a 2-3 page process paper, oral and visual presentation

Culminating Project

The Culminating project is to be completed by May 1st of the student’s junior year. The culminating project consists of three components; oral, written, and visual. Social Studies teachers will provide students with details about the requirements of each component.  

Documentation

Beginning in 9th grade, all students must record their service-learning hours on their service log. Students must provide documentation with a signature confirming their participation in an event by an adult coordinator, along with a description of what service has been provided. Journaling occurs in each student’s social studies classes throughout the year. 

Earning Hours

Hours can be derived from the five stages of service learning – planning, preparation, execution, reflection, and celebration. Any supporting documentation, such as thank you letters, brochures, photographs, or newspaper articles, should be included in the student’s portfolio. (Please save these items throughout high school for your visual presentation in 11th grade.)

If a student is participating in an event with a fundraising organization, for example, the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk or the AIDS Walk, he or she must make a minimum contribution of $30 and document it with a receipt. 

Grading

As part of the graduation requirements established by the Abington Board of School Directors, each student is required to complete a culminating project. The culminating project includes specially developed activities that mesh service-learning and community exploration opportunities with the social studies curriculum. Students will begin career exploration as related to public service and the non-profit world. As they conclude their program, students will connect their service learning activities with specific areas of interest that will become the focus of their individualized projects. They will refine and develop their projects with the final goal of presenting all of their components as evidence of satisfactory completion of the project. Abington Senior High School students will be required to submit evidence that the culminating project guidelines have been achieved prior to graduation. Students are expected to complete 10 hours of service in grade nine, 10 hours of service in grade ten, and 20 hours of service in grade eleven. Grading our students on their service-learning projects encourages them to perform to the best of their ability. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everyone can be great because anyone can serve”; We believe the service program at Abington School District affords our students the opportunity to excel and learn life-long lessons of compassion, leadership, and citizenship. Students are graded in their social studies classes.

Seniors should have completed requirements below in Junior year (Class of 2025 only)

1. Six journal entries

2. Serve a minimum of 20 hours in the community* (Class of 2025 will be last class with 20 hour requirement)

3. Assessment and grading will be done through the social studies class.

4. Preparation and presentation of the Culminating Project (due first school day in May of junior year) is graded in social studies in the final quarter of 11th grade.

5. Failure to meet the 45 hour minimum service requirement and prepare a project for presentation during May of junior year will result in placement in a Sr. Seminar course until the above criteria are met. A student may not graduate without completing the project, as stipulated by the Abington Board of School Directors.

6. Due May 1, 2024

   • Two-three page written process paper will be turned in to the social studies teacher

   • 3-5 minute oral presentation on your project

   • Visual display (poster, film, slide show, scrapbook, or other display)

   • Social Studies teachers will provide detailed instructions and evaluation forms