Hundreds might not graduate from high school because they have not fulfilled the 80-hour community service requirement. Should the school board stick with the program?
• Yes. There are many opportunities in the community to complete their hours. They can help set up, serve and clean up at St. Joseph’s Lords table from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays every week. There are several non-profits in the community where they can help, especially with events. If they don’t take the time to research what’s out there, the consequences are serious. Also, the school personnel can help them by distributing a list of local non-profits and service clubs the students can contact to request volunteer opportunities. There’s still time for meeting the 80-hour requirement.
• No, but there may be some federal funds money from being in the program and Superintendent Debbie Flores has her heels dug in. n Yes. One of the surest ways to kill one’s community is to ensure that the youth do not become engaged and active participants in community life. Beyond requiring voluntarism our youth should be offered seats with city council, committees, chambers, and volunteer organizations. It’s called succession planning.
• No. This needs to be dialed back. It’s a lot of hours on top of all we are asking from our students and faculty. I think 20 hours is very fair.
• Yes. If the board believes in an issue that makes the students be more responsible citizens in order to graduate, then the rule needs to be enforced. But will they do it themselves? No, the burden is placed on the administration of each school to break the news to the students and the parents. Did the board realize this when this requirement was passed with all good intent? Why should the fallout be on administrators who already have enough to keep track of? This is truly an issue that was passed in good faith, but the follow through was none of any of the decision makers’ concern, unfortunately. This is usually why good intentions and decisions are rescinded, and credibility lost.
• I’m sure students have known of this requirement since they were freshmen, and perhaps procrastinated? There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and five months left of school, get busy!
• This vast failure rate tells me we need to re-think this policy. Yes, service is a good habit to promote, but to penalize those students who might be playing several sports, maintaining an A+ GPA and starring in the senior play? When would they have time for service projects? Here at Saint Mary’s we offer plenty of structured projects – group and individual – and guidance to help our confirmation candidates fulfill their service/ministry requirements. Most of our candidates fulfill this, but those who don’t are not denied the sacrament; we invite them to continue to serve after confirmation. Most do “make up” the hours. Bludgeoning kids into serving kind of takes the joy out of service.
• No. Sticking to a program which clearly does not work is pointless, Parents, students and the school administration need to be committed to the program in order for it to work. This is not happening.
• Yes. The concept of service is right for our students. To get this year’s class over the hump to graduate, several make up opportunities need to be offered and eligibility for sports and other activities could be withheld until the student is current. It shouldn’t be left until their senior year – 20 each year or you aren’t considered promoted. Just like if you don’t have enough credits!
• Yes, it’s a program that has the potential to not only benefit the student, but the entire community. Students should easily find opportunities – start with the Garlic Festival or St. Joseph’s Family Center.
