Community Connections - Frequently Asked Questions

 

Barrington High School

Student Volunteer Program

F.A.Q.’s

 

How many volunteer hours do I have to have to graduate?

None. The only requirement for volunteer hours at BHS is for senior National Honor Society (NHS) members. Julie Baylor, 847-842-3268, jbaylor@cusd220.org and Laura Turngren, 847-842-3268, lturngren@cusd220.org are the NHS advisors, and can answer any questions you may have. NHS also has its own website, which you can access from the BHS home page, www.barringtonhighschool.org, under Students, Clubs and Activities, Honor Societies.

 

What type of activity “counts” ?

There are four general guidelines:  (1)It must be for a non-profit organization whose mission includes serving the general community, special needs, the underprivileged, or those persons less fortunate in the community (2)There must be no payment to the student for the activity (3)It cannot be for an organization that promotes a political viewpoint, such as a political party/campaign or a group organized around a political cause (4)Community service mandated by either the school or the court system may not be submitted.

 

I’ve heard that I can get school credit for volunteer hours. Is this true?

Absolutely. For every 30 volunteer hours you turn in, ¼ credit will be added to your transcript, up to 120 hours for a full credit. So, 30 hours = ¼ credit, 60 hours = ½ credit, 90 hours = ¾ credit and 120 hours = 1 full credit. These are hours accumulated over all four years of high school. Of course, you must first report those hours to Mrs. Bauer to have them count towards school credit. This credit cannot be used toward graduation requirements. It is strictly extra credit. Because hours accrue towards official transcript credit, signatures of family members for volunteer hours will not be accepted, nor will paperwork with the number of hours crossed out and changed.

 

Why haven’t I ever seen that credit on my report card?

It doesn’t appear on the report card, only on the high school transcript as “COMMUNITY SERV,” and is a pass/fail credit.

 

How do I report volunteer hours?

By filling out a Volunteer Time Report and having it signed by the adult sponsor of the activity (no family signatures, please), along with their phone number. These forms are available in the Guidance Resource Center, and may also be printed from the BHS website by clicking your way into Guidance, then Student Volunteer Program, then Time Report. Turn this form in to Mrs. Jill Bauer in the GRC. If your community service was performed outside of the Barrington area, please bring a letter on the sponsoring agency’s letterhead describing your activities and when they were performed. Please add your student ID number and class year.

 

I would like to volunteer, but don’t know how to get started. Any suggestions?

It’s easy to find volunteer opportunities at BHS! They are in the announcements every day, posted on a bulleting board in the Commons area, and on a list that can be picked up any time from Mrs. Bauer’s desk in the GRC. She updates this list weekly. If you have a particular interest, Mrs. Bauer will try to find the right fit for you. Students also find their own volunteer opportunities. Just be sure they fit the guidelines mentioned above. If you haven’t already done so, you must first complete and have a parent sign a Release of Liability form, which is good for all four years of high school, and available in the GRC.

 

Can I report volunteer time from my place of worship?

Yes. We do not count any time spent on worship services, or on evangelism (recruiting new members). Teaching/leading religious education classes, as well as any social outreach program that your church sponsors, may be counted.