Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School

Guidelines for Service Projects for 2016-2017 school year.

Dear Students,

Below you will find the guidelines for service projects. Remember, that it is the students responsibility to
find a place to complete his/her service, fill out all paperwork, seek approval, and arrange to fulfill the
commitment. Of course, parents/guardians (and even teachers) can and will help you, but it is ultimately
the responsibility of the student to make sure the service projects are approved, completed, and all
paperwork submitted correctly and on time.

General Guidelines
1. All students are required to perform a minimum of 20 hours of service each year. Service for the next
school year can begin the first day after the last day of school.
2. Service must be for/with an established non-profit organization, for example:
a. Parish/Church/Grade School
b. A tax-exempt organization that works with/for people, whose purpose serves the common good.
c. Food kitchens, elderly care homes, and so forth.
3. Any service organizations mission cannot go against the beliefs and teachings of The Roman Catholic
Church. Service projects cannot be for any political organizations or ideologies.
4. If the service is for a sports organization, the amount of hours is generally limited to 10 hours total.
The student should try to do at least 10 hours somewhere else.
5. The student should strive to complete at least 10 hours at one particular site.
6. Service that is required because you are a member of a team or organization may not normally count
towards this requirement. (i.e. If you are working a pasta dinner to earn money for a trip to some
place, this is not service.)
7. Assisting during Mass at your parish serving, lecturing will count as hour per Liturgy up to 10
hours.
8. Service cannot be performed during school hours (while school is in session).
9. The Service project must be gospel-based, and provide a real service to others working with people.
10. The project must be under the guidance of a professional (i.e. There has to be an adult in charge who
is connected to the organization).
11. Forms cannot be completed or signed by a parent or close relative, nor can they be the immediate
supervisor of the project.
12. Service cannot be for a family member. Helping a family member is your duty as a member of your
family, not a service project.
13. You should submit the total number of hours completed, even if only 10 are going to count, or if you
go well beyond 20.

Procedure:
14. Fill out the Service Hour Approval Form and submit it to your religion teacher at least 10 days before
the service begins. Your religion teacher will return a copy of the form signed by him/her if your
project idea meets the guidelines and is approved.
a. Generally, if the project idea meets the guidelines it will be approved.
b. Approval of projects in the past does not necessarily mean the project will be approved in the
future. Seek approval before beginning.
c. Service hours that are not approved will not count towards your 20 hours.
 d. The teacher has a minimum of 10 days to return the form. Plan ahead, and do not expect your
teacher to rush because you waited until the last minute.
15. When your hours are approved, your teacher will return the approval form with the completion for on
the back. After you have completed the service, have the supervisor complete this portion which
records your hours. Make sure the supervisor has filled out all the information and signed the form.
16. On the due date, you will submit a typed 250 word essay reflecting on the project(s) and then be
required to give a short presentation to your religion class.
17. The Paper should be several paragraphs (intro, supporting, conclusion etc.), typed in MLA (look it up;
this is a guide to help you), and be structured in the following manner:
a. A description of the service(s) your performed
b. Why you performed the service(s)?
c. What benefit your service gave to other people? What benefit did you receive?
d. Why do you think it is essential for Christians to perform community service?
18. The due date for the project paperwork for the 2016-2017 school year will be April 26, 2017. All
paperwork should be submitted to the students religion teacher on that day. Class presentations will
begin after that date at the discretion of your religion teacher. Anything submitted after that date if
accepted -- is considered late.
a. On the due date, you should submit your completed paperwork in this order:
1) Community Service Forms with the completion/evaluation form showing on top, in order
of completion by date.
2) The typed essay
3) Any additional forms given to you by the organization where the service was performed.
***It is strongly suggested that you make copies of everything you submit.
19. The Project is part of your 4th quarter grade. Your grade is based on the type of service, how well you
follow the directions, your paper, and your presentation, as well as your conduct and cooperation
during other students presentations.
a. The amount can be up to 10% of your final grade.
b. Grading for the project is up to the discretion of the religion teacher.
c. You will be graded according to following the guidelines on your project as well as the essay and
the presentation.
20. During the summer months, drop the completed approval forms off in the office and email Mr.
Amoruso with a brief description. He will respond to the email with approval and complete the forms
in a timely manner. Remember, you must give a minimum of 10 days for approval to take place.

If you have any questions, please email your religion teacher or Mr. Amoruso. These guidelines are
subject to reasonable revisions as the need arises.

Thank you,
The Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic Religion Department