Community Service

MYP Community Service
The idea of becoming contributing members of our community is an important component of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Students at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy will learn about their communities and will be provided opportunities to make a positive difference as part of their middle school experience. Students may also find opportunities to serve outside of school activities. Existing LCMA students may count volunteer hours done during the summer using the forms provided on this page. HOWEVER, this option will NOT be available for our incoming sixth graders because they first need to learn about IB and the Middle Years Programme before they begin their community service. The following minimum hours of service are required for students at each grade level:
• 6th grade – 2 hours
• 7th grade – 4 hours
• 8th grade – 6 hours

Step One – Download or read the Community Service Instructions.

Step Two – Complete a Community Service Proposal. Remember, this is a lesson in creative problem solving, so you first need to identify the problem and then create and implement a plan of action to resolve the conflict. Turn this in to your humanities teacher WITH the log sheet.

Step Three – It’s important that you record your hours on the Community Service Log and get signatures for your volunteer hours. Feel free to include several agencies on one log, but be sure you clearly identify each agency. Also, remember that only agencies that you mentioned in the Community Service Proposal may be used. Also, keep in mind that family members may not sign off on a student’s log. Total the hours on your log sheets, and make a copy for your records. Attach this to your Community Service Proposal.

Step Four – Staple the two forms together, make yourself a copy and turn them in when you’ve finished your required hours for the year. At the end of the school year, your humanities teacher will assign you a reflective essay summarizing your community service experience from the year.

Key Ideas to Remember:
1.Your forms in to your humanities teacher by March 28; no faxes, please!
2.You may not miss school in order to volunteer.
3.Your service may not be as part of a competition, for payment or for a grade.
4.Your service may not be for family members.
5.Your parents may not complete your forms for you.
6.You may begin counting service the first day of summer for the upcoming school year.
7.Because we make mistakes, too, it’s important that you keep a Community Service folder at home with copies of any and all forms that you turn in.