Service Learning

The Service Learning Form must be completed within one year from the time the service is complete. Exceptions may be considered for approval by contacting the Coordinator of Service Learning at CCPSServiceLearning@carrollk12.org. Once this form is submitted, it will be emailed to the Service Learning Coordinator for your building. All Service-Learning activities must be reviewed and approved by the school Principal or Service Learning Coordinator before becoming part of your total Service Learning Hours.

Students shall: not be paid for their service; not earn hours for service to a for-profit business; not earn hours for service in preparation for or during religious services or religious education; not earn hours for assisting family members with tasks such as cutting the lawn or babysitting; not be excused from school to earn service-learning hours. 

MSDE Information on Service-Learning

All service-learning experiences should meet Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning. Listed below are additional guidelines that provide clarification on what should “count” toward meeting the service-learning requirement. 

• Service-learning activities with the purpose of directly addressing human needs in areas such as health, education, environment, or public safety, even if done in conjunction with a faith-based agency or institution, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. 

• Service-learning activities with the purpose of collecting food, clothing, or other items necessary to benefit others and meet human needs, even if done in conjunction with a faith-based agency or institution, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. 

• Service-learning activities with the purpose of extending the benefit of the service activity to individuals or families in need, other than the student’s own family, may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. Activities should serve the greater good instead of being self-serving to a particular person or group.  

• Service-learning activities with the purposes of serving the school community must meet the service-learning quality practices articulated in Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning to be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. These projects should be structured to meet greater needs in the areas of health, education, environment, or public safety identified within the school community. 

• Service-learning activities with the purpose of increasing voter registration and participation and/or implementing voter education activities on issues may be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. 

• Service-learning activities must be inclusive and non-discriminatory. Activities that violate federal or state law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability, may not be counted toward the service-learning graduation requirement. 

• Service-learning activities that are completed independently by students in the community must meet the service-learning quality practices articulated in Maryland’s Seven Best Practices of Service-Learning. Designated school personnel or, in the absence of such designated personnel, the school principal, must verify the completion of the service 

Can service-learning be done for a  business? 

A: No, Service Learning must meet a need for the whole community and not benefit a single person, a religion or a business. Service-Learning Hours CAN NOT be earned working as an aide, teacher assistants (or similar titles) at for profit businesses like daycares, gymnastic studios, karate studios, dance studios, sport camps, or similar for-profit businesses.  

Can service-learning be done by volunteering during my church's services? For example by singing in the choir or playing the piano. 

A: No,  Students CAN NOT earn service-learning hours working for the benefit or the promotion of a specific religion. Service learning hours CAN BE earned by camp counselors or activity assistants in denominational (religious) summer camps such as Vacation Bible School but only when the program is advertised to and attended by the non-denominational public (it's open to the general public). Service learning hours are awarded only for secular curriculum and secular programming or recreation, such as sports, swimming, secular crafts, serving snacks, etc. Service learning hours cannot be earned for any activities that involve prayer, liturgy, or the furtherance of religious tradition. Service Learning hours CAN BE earned by providing childcare while parents attend meetings at a religious organization, but only when the meetings address a community need and/or serve a population beyond the faith membership and do not support a for-profit business. Eligible activities might include teaching English classes, offering workshops open to the public, blood drives, fitness classes, non-denominational music gatherings. Service learning hours cannot be earned for meetings for congregation members only, and/or those that are focused on religion or worship.

Can I earn service-learning hours by mowing my neighbors lawn and not getting paid? 

A: No, students can not earn service learning hours mowing their neighbors lawn.  Service-learning can not benefit one single person.  A student could design a service-learning project that meets the needs of community members who may need that support. They can talk to their school based service-learning Coordinator for ideas or assistance. 

I was told by the place I performed service-learning hours that the hours would be approved.  Why did the hours get denied?  

A: All service-learning must meet MSDE guidelines for service-learning.  The only people who are able to approve of service-learning are your school administrators and your school service-learning Coordinator.  Always check with them before you complete service learning hours. 

How do I know if my hours were approved? 

A: You will receive an email to your school account letting you know if your hours were approved or denied.  

How do I know if an organization  is non-profit or not? 

A:  Check the CCPS Service-Learning site for our list of local non-profits or you can always ask your building service-learning Coordinator. 

Where can I get ideas on service-ideas on service learning projects? 

A:  Your school service-learning Coordinator will share local projects and resources throughout the year.  You can always look at the CCPS Service-Learning Resource page for local non-profit organizations. 

How many hours can I recieve for fostering pets?

A:  The Humane Society suggests that students calculate 30 minutes per day that they foster any pet.  If you need more guidance on how many hours you submit, reach out to your school service-learning Coordinator. 

 Service learning hours will be pro-rated for students transferring into Carroll County Schools from out of state, non-public schools, or home school after the start of their sophomore year.   

Freshman Year: students are required to complete 75 service learning hours.

Sophomore Year: Students who transfer during sophomore year will be required to complete 40 hours of service learning.

Junior year: Students who transfer during junior year will be required to complete 30 hours;

Seniors:  Students who transfer first semester of their senior year will be required to complete 10 hours. Students who transfer the second semester of senior year will be required to complete 5 hours. 

High School 

Century High School: Lyndsay Fraser 410-386-4400 

Francis Scott Key: Tyler Workman 410-751-3320 

Gateway/Crossroads: 410-751-3691 

Liberty High School:  Sandra Platt 410-751-3560  

Manchester Valley High School: Wendy Reitz 410-386-1673 

South Carroll High School: Jennifer Brauer 410-751-3575 

Westminster High School: Kim Coale  410-751-3630   

Winters Mill High School: Emily Masimore 410-386-1500 

Maryland State Department of Education website contains information on Maryland's 7 Best Practices of Service Learning