Why Do Community Service?

1. To broaden the student's learning experience through service activities that provide exposure to and engagement with the real needs of our community and our world.
2. To involve the student in activities that raise ministry awareness with the hope of nurturing a greater desire to serve in ways like that of Jesus Christ.

What Is Required?

Students in grades 9-12 are asked to serve in the community for a minimum of 40 hours. This requirement is necessary for graduation from Westminster Christian School and will be so noted on the student's transcript. Students are encouraged to serve 20 hours by the end of their junior year so as to have at least half of the requirement met before beginning their senior year.

Any student wishing to qualify as a Bright Futures’ Florida Academic Scholar must perform 75 hours of community service.

What Is Community Service?

1. It Must be Voluntary...
   a. work that engages the student in the actual doing of service. (i. e. time spent in preparation or transportation is not counted toward the requirement).
   b. work not done for pay.
   
2. It Must be a Service to the Community...
   a. work done outside regularly scheduled school and church activities.
   b. work not done for your family.
   c. work not done for profit-making organizations.
   d. a project or activity that benefits a person or people in need, and/or...
   e. a project or activity that in some way contributes to or improves the quality of life in the community or environment
   
3. It Might be a Spiritual Ministry...
   a. an effort to address a particular spiritual need
   b. an effort consistent with thebiblical philosophy of W.C.S.

What If I Need Help Getting Started Or Getting It Done?

You can receive assistance through any part of the service experience from Mr. Nolander, the Community Service Coordinator (room #202). He is available during regular school hours as well as after school. Communication via e-mail tnolander@wcsmiami.org is welcomed. You can also download the WCS Community Service Quick Reference Guide and Network of Contacts that can assist students about what kinds of community service they can do and lists some organizations open to utilizing teenagers.

How Do I Record My Community Service?

Each community service effort needs to be documented. This means you need to submit...

1. an hour by hour record of the time you spent serving,
2. an adult supervisor's evaluation and
3. a self evaluation.

Exception Provision: In case of a one time service effort, you only need a short version of the time sheet, click here to download and print, which includes a supervisor's signature and a brief description on the back.

Community Service forms are available in hard copy format through Mr. Nolander (room #202) or click here to download and print the forms.

Is Any Volunteerism Considered Community Service?

Not necessarily, therefore the school reserves the right to approve all service activities. By our definition, not all volunteerism is considered Community Service. It is recommended that you check with Mr. Nolander before doing any Community Service. It must fit the WCS definition for Community Service.