Arkansas Department of Education Community Service Requirement for Graduation
Click here for the Arkansas Department of Education Memorandum
Click here for opportunities available (although your child may certainly earn credit OUTSIDE of these opportunities).
To log the hours: Students should pick up a blue form off of the table outside the counselor’s office. Parents may also pick forms up. Students should turn the forms in to the office upon completion to be logged.
Arkansas Act 237 adds that students in the Class of 2027 and beyond will be required to earn community service to graduate. Some waivers are included.
Community Service Law
15 Hours for Freshmen
20 Hours every year thereafter
75 Total Hours before graduation
-ACT 237 does not place a minimum community service hour requirement per grade level or a limit on the number of hours a student can earn towards the 75 hours in a school year.
Safety Precautions:
-Service should only be completed at a parent’s discretion.
-Parents are responsible for giving permission, vetting all situations, and going through precautionary safety protocols for community service not done through the school.
-Service should never be in a private home or where students are alone with only one other person.
Process:
1. Students get parent/guardian permission for the service beforehand.
2. If any question on whether or not the service would be approved, please ask the school administrator.
3. Students take the documentation form, fill it out properly and get it signed by a parent or adult in charge of the service.
4. Students turn in their documentation to the High School Counselor’s office.
5. A committee will meet in December and May to review submissions and approve or deny credit.
Implementation Plan:
-Students will be provided with a list from the school of examples that would meet requirements.
-Riverview School District will endorse volunteer sites and partnerships within the community. Local Names, Businesses, Addresses, Phone Numbers, etc… will be provided to students for contact information to help with completion. See link above.
-Leader In Me Groups/Grade Level Groups/Club Groups, etc… may use school time occasionally to complete community service projects.
-All documentation will be kept by school personnel and updates will be provided to both students and families on approval of submissions and number of hours totalled towards graduation.
Communication Plan:
Meetings with Students at School
Handouts at Parent-Teacher Conferences/Open Houses
Meetings at Parent-Teacher Conferences
Social Media Postings (Facebook/Instagram/Live Feed/Twitter)