LPS/LSW Policy on Civic Activities
Definition: Civic Activity shall be defined as a non-paid activity done by students for non-profit organizations or individuals in which the purpose of the activity is directed toward: humanitarian stewardship, political campaigning, community service, learning about a citizen's relationship to government, or learning about a critical issue.
Duration: 20 hours of civic activity shall be conducted between the last day of the student's junior year and the last day of the semester in which they take Government and Politics.
Approved Activities: Acceptable civic activity includes those activities that are done outside of the school environment and school programs, unless the student is providing direct service to another student in a school sponsored program (e.g. tutoring as part of a VIP or LPS Foundation program) or is supporting a civic responsibility (e.g. registering student voters).
Approved activities include: work with United Way/CHAD Agencies, work with political parties or campaigns, youth camp counseling (not including time in religious instruction), membership on a civic committee, LPS tutoring programs, LPS Student Vote Committee, summer work in LPS media centers, providing child care for LPS evening meetings, providing child care for non-profit organizations.
Unapproved Activities: Unacceptable civic activities include activities contributed during regularly scheduled class time, or for which the student is receiving credit in another class.
Unapproved activities include: helping with school-sponsored events, selling concessions, non-paid work for a business or a for-profit agency, filming school activities, activities in which religious instruction is given, non-paid errends or child care for a neighbor, donating blood or helping with the blood drive at school, or assisting a teacher or non-teaching staff.
Other guidelines to consider:
• Students may not be paid nor shall they be allowed to receive civic credit to do the work on a non-pay basis, if the work is normally done for pay.
• The 20 hours need not be completed in a single activity
• The Government and Politics teacher will approve activities. However, the GoPo teacher may ask for clarification from Dr. Larson, the Social Studies Department Chair at Southwest High School or Karen Stanley, the LPS Social Studies Consultant before making a decision.
• Religious instruction is NOT allowed. However, working for a humanitarian campaign sponsored by a religious institution, or work done at the YMCA or YWCA will be allowed.
Here are some “Frequently Asked Questions” concerning the Civic Activity requirement in Government and Politics
Q: If I have an A, but I don’t complete the 20 hours, do I fail GoPo?
A: Most likely the answer is yes. This would depend on the circumstances, but you’d better keep your teacher up-to-date.
Q: If I have an F, but I do complete the 20 hours, do I fail GoPo?
A: YES, but you DO NOT have to re-do the hours, just the course.
Q: As a junior I completed GoPo Hours or volunteer work prior to the last day of the school year, do these hours count?
A: NO. You may count hours AFTER the last day of school your junior year.
Q: Do I have to complete the 20 hours in order to graduate?
A: YES. Government and Politics is a required class. Don’t forget that in addition to the 20 hours of Civic Activity you also have to pass the class!
Q: If I take the class INCOMPLETE how many hours must I complete during the term I am enrolled in GoPo?
A: At the other five LPS high schools, students enrolled in Government and Politics have 18 weeks to complete the 20 hours of civic activity. At Southwest, since we are on the block schedule, you must complete at least 10 hours of civic activity by the time you finish GoPo.
Q: Can I do my GoPo volunteer work during school hours?
A: No. This is against LPS policy.
Q: I’m out for a sport and my coach wants me to help with the summer clinic. Will this count?
A: NO. This is against LPS policy. You also cannot count work as a teacher assistant, or as a team manager.
Q: I’m very involved with my church. Can I count any hours I do when I volunteer there?
A: It depends. You cannot give religious instruction, due to possible conflicts with the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause. If your church is involved with Habitat for Humanity, that would be OK. Please refer to the official policy or ask your teacher or Dr. Larson.
Q: If I did community service for probation, will that count for GoPo as well?
A: NO. However, the terms of your probation may dictate the manner in which you complete your 20 hours. You’ll need to work this out with your teacher.
Q: Where can I do my GoPo hours?
A: There is a booklet which from the Lincoln Volunteer Bureau with a plethora of places to volunteer. There is a bulletin board in the A118 forum with various opportunities as well. If you are unsure if a place will work for the GoPo hours, ask your teacher or Dr. Larson before assuming something will work!
Government and Politics Mrs. Watson
Civic Activity Reflection Paper
One of the requirements Government and Politics is to complete twenty (20) hours in a civic activity/community service. As part of this class you must complete a reflection paper about your experience that you had in the activity.
DUE DATE(S):
If completing during 3rd term = April 2nd, 2007 - BOTH THE PAPER AND THE 20 HOURS ARE DUE
If taking the course INCOMPLETE = ______- BOTH THE PAPER AND THE 20 HOURS ARE DUE!!! YOU MUST FILL OUT AN INCOMPLETE CONTRACT, ten hours MUST BE completed by April 2nd, 2007!!!
Reflection Paper Criteria:
1. Must be at least 2 pages (no more than 4 pages) in length, typed- using 12 point font, 1 inch spacing, an MUST include a cover page.
2. Points you should address in your paper:
a. Where you fulfilled your community service requirement.
b. Describe the nature/environment of the establishment.
c. What are the goals of this organization?
d. In what ways did you assist the organization in meeting its goals?
e. Describe the people you met or interacted with while doing the civic activity and the impact they had on you.
f. What general or specific knowledge did you gain during your association with this organization?
g. What would the community lose if this organization did not exist?
h. In what ways is this organization related to local, state, or national government? If there is no government relationship, why not?
i. Explain what you gained by committing your time to community service by citing specific examples.
j. Explain how you view community service in regards to the role of citizens
k. Rate the overall experience using the scale below & explain the rating (do this within your paper, not on the scale below).
1 5 10
The experience The experience
was of low quality & was of high
not worth the time. quality & well worth the time.
When you turn in your paper attach the following items in this order:
1. Cover Page
2. Paper
3. Evaluation(s)
4. Documentation Card
GoPo Community Service Reflection Paper Grade Sheet
Name:______
S= Strong MS= Moderately Strong A= Average MW= Moderately Weak W= Weak
Basics: S MS A MW W
1. At least 2 pages in length 5 4 3 2 1
2. Typed- 12 point font, included cover page 5 4 3 2 1
Content- Included the following criteria: S MS A MW W
1. Discussed where you fulfilled your community 5 4 3 2 1
service requirement
2. Described the nature/environment of the 5 4 3 2 1
establishment.
3. Goals of the organization & ways you assisted 5 4 3 2 1
the organization in meeting those goals.
4. Described the people you met or interacted with 5 4 3 2 1
and the impact they had on you.
5. Specific knowledge you gained about the organization 5 4 3 2 1
while volunteering your time.
6. Explained what the community would lose without the 5 4 3 2 1
organization.
7. Explained ways this organization relates to local, state, 5 4 3 2 1
or national government.
8. Explain what you gained by committing your time 5 4 3 2 1
to community service by citing specific examples.
9. Explain how you view community service in 5 4 3 2 1
regards to the role of citizens.
10. Rated the overall experience & explained the rating 5 4 3 2 1
(scale: 1= low quality, 10= high quality)
Final score: ______/60
Comments: