Community Service

Community Service is required of all Westmark students. We are privileged to be part of a school community that offers our students and staff an environment rich with books, curriculum and extracurricular activities. Education is more than knowledge gained within the walls of a classroom. Community service helps our children develop compassion, cooperation, courage, generosity, honesty, justice, respect, responsibility and tolerance.

Community service learning can help our students as they progress through school and look into the world of higher education and employment. Colleges, universities and employers are interested in students with demonstrated leadership and service experience. Community service learning can increase abilities and skills. Students may find career paths as a result of volunteer involvement and thoughtful reflection. Please encourage your child to choose a project that will help them display their own unique talents and interests.

The annual requirements for the various grade levels are:

Grade Level	Service Requirement
2nd - 5th	8 hours
6th - 8th	16 hours
9th - 12th	24 hours

Information regarding completion of community service hours will be accepted on the attached forms at any time during the school year, but they must be submitted no later than May 31st of each year. All forms are to be turned into the Main Office and a service log will be kept on each student's completed hours. At the end of the year a "Community Service Reflection" sheet will be the final requirement for this program. Community service completed during the summer counts for the following academic year.

Please feel free to inquire within your own community, church or synagogue, scout groups, YMCA, local hospitals, food collection agencies, etc. to see what opportunities are available for your child.

Community Service is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents. Some of the richest experiences are those that a family does together.