John A.

Ferguson Senior High School

Student Guide to Community Service
What Is a Community Service Project?
Community service projects are planned, organized, and voluntary efforts designed to address a problem or need
in the community. To be meaningful, community service projects must address a real need or problem found
within the school or community. The community service project you choose to do should also reflect your personal
interest and skills. In addition, worthwhile community service projects require an on-going commitment on your
part.

What Are the Community Service Graduation Requirements?

To complete the community service graduation requirement for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, you must
complete a community service project between 9th and 12th grade. A minimum of 100 hours of service is required
to be eligible to receive a Ferguson Academy Completion certificate. The State of Florida requires a minimum
number of service hours to be eligible for the Florida Bright Futures scholarship awards. For International
Baccalaureate (IB) students, community service hours required for graduation and CAS are documented
separately and IB students should check with their Lead Teacher for procedural information.

What Types of Projects Meet the Requirement for Graduation?

You may do any of a variety of projects in order to meet the graduation requirement. You can spend time with
senior citizens in convalescent homes, tutor elementary students, work in a homeless shelter - and more! You
may complete your project at a school or in the community. You may work as an individual and/or you may work
in a group. Below is a brief description of the types of projects that are acceptable.
 School-Site Service Projects
o School-site service is an excellent way of meeting the requirement for community service while
also helping meet the special needs of a school. If you choose to complete a school-site project,
you should commit to providing on-going support and assistance to the school.
 Group Community Service Projects
o Group community service projects provide excellent opportunities for you to complete your
community service requirement while also helping meet the special needs of an individual
neighborhood or community. Group community service projects provide excellent service
opportunities for organized student groups such as service clubs, honor societies, and athletic
teams. Membership in a service club or organization does not in itself meet your community
service responsibilities. However, you can work with others in the organization on community
service projects in order to meet your responsibility.
 Individual Community Service Projects
o Individual community service projects allow you to complete the service requirement while
addressing a community need which interests you. When working on an individual project, you
should be committed to providing on-going assistance to the community.

How Do I Select a Meaningful Community Service Project?

You should think about the following questions before selecting a community service project:
 What need or problem exists in the community that interests you?
 What project can you develop in order to work on this need or problem?
 Will your project provide an important service?
 Does the project match your interests, talents, and abilities?
 Are there any special qualifications you need in order to work on the project?
 Will you be able to spend the necessary time on the project?
 What planning steps are needed before beginning the project?
 Who needs to be contacted before the project begins?
Where can I perform community service?
Community serviced hours must be performed solely by the student and may be performed at any of the
following: (1) a non-profit organization, (2) a government agency, (2) a school, (3) a hospital, (4) a retirement
organization or home, or (5) for a disabled or elderly individual in need of assistance. Students may not receive
community service hours for work on an individual’s political campaign, for volunteering in a relative’s
business, or for office work for a private company and may not receive any compensation such as
money, gifts or other benefits for their service.

The organizations and agencies listed below typically welcome volunteers. This list should help you develop ideas
for community service projects.

Chambers of Commerce Charities City governments

Civic organizations Convalescent homes County agencies
Cultural centers Day care centers Elementary schools
Hospices Hospitals Libraries
Middle Schools Museums Parks
Recreation centers Religious organizations Service organizations
United Way agencies Zoos

Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to involve your parents/guardians in the process of selecting
your project. While this is your project, their support is also necessary.

How Do I Receive Credit for the Community Service Project When It Is Completed?
 Students must complete the Community Service Project Proposal form. Students must have their proposal
approved before beginning their service, including parent and Academy Lead Teacher or Social Studies
teacher signatures. Completed community service hours may be rejected if prior approval by the Academy
Lead Teacher or Social Studies teacher was not secured.

 Students must keep accurate record of their service using the Activity Log form. When the project is
completed, the supervisor of the activity, the student and the parent must sign the Activity Log. When the
project is complete students must also secure a letter of verification on company or organization letterhead
verifying service and number of hours volunteered. The dates and hours on the letterhead must match the
information on the student’s log.

 When the community service project is completed, students should make an appointment with the
Academy Lead Teacher so the hours can be documented in the computer. Students should bring the
signed, original Community Service Project Proposal form, the signed, original Activity Log, and the
verification letter, for the Academy Lead Teacher to keep and place in their Academy file. Students should
make copies of all documents prior to submitting them to the Lead Teacher.

 If a Senior needs community service hours posted on his/her transcripts in time to submit them with college
applications, all completed documentation must be submitted to the Lead Teacher by end of September of the
Senior year. A separate deadline will be announced to have community service hours recorded in time to
participate in Senior activities.

 Students should submit documentation as projects are completed. Waiting until Senior year to submit
documentation puts the student at risk for lost or incomplete documentation.

 In the student’s Senior year, he/she must select one completed project and complete the Project
Summary Report. The student must submit the completed Project Summary Report to their Social Studies
teacher by the date designated by the teacher. This will be counted as a grade in their Social Studies class.
 John A. Ferguson Senior High School
Community Service Project Proposal
Student’s Name_________________________________________ ID#________________________

Academy________________________________________________ Grade ___________________

DIRECTIONS:
1. Complete the Proposal form in ink and sign it. Print clearly or type. Attach additional
page(s) as needed.
2. Have the Proposal forms signed by a parent or guardian.
3. Submit the Proposal for approval and signature.

Project Description – What is your project? Be specific about what you will do.

Need – Why is this project needed? For whom will it be valuable?

Final Results – What do you hope to accomplish as a result of your work?

Approval is required prior to beginning project!

_______________________________________________________ _________________________
Academy Lead Teacher’s or Social Studies Teacher’s Signature Date

_______________________________________________________ _________________________
Parent’s Signature Date

_______________________________________________________ _________________________
Student Signature Date
 John A. Ferguson Senior High School
Activity Log Form
Student’s Name_________________________________________ ID#_________________
Academy________________________________________________ Grade _____________

All students must use the Activity Log form to record their community service activities. When
turning in hours to the Academy Lead teacher, a letter of verification on company or
organization letterhead is required.
Date of Community Service Activity Supervisor’s # of Hours
Service Initials Completed

Total Project Hours ______________

I have reviewed my child’s Activity Log Form and confirm the accuracy of the information
presented. I understand that a community service project must be completed in order to meet
the graduation requirements for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

______________________________________________ ____________________
Project Supervisor Signature Date

______________________________________________ ____________________
Student Signature Date

________________________________________________________ _________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
 John A. Ferguson Senior High School
Project Summary Report

Student’s Name ____________________________________________ ID#______________

Academy ___________________________________________________ Grade _________
Title of Project ______________________________________________________________
Grade Level Project Completed _________ Project Completion Date ______________

Directions:
1. Choose one completed project for the Project Summary Report.
2. Complete the Project Summary Report in ink and sign it. Print clearly or type.
3. Complete all parts of the required essay as outlined below on your own paper.
4. Attach the essay to the Project Summary Report form. Keep a copy for yourself.
5. Have the completed Summary Report reviewed and signed by a parent/guardian.
6. Submit the Summary Report and attached essay for final approval and signature.

Required Essay: Summarize your community service experience in essay forms. Address each
of the following items in your essay:
A. Briefly describe your project and the main activities of your project. Describe changes
you made from your original proposal (if any).
B. Briefly outline the steps you took to plan, implement, and complete the project. Indicate
how much time you spent in completing all aspects of this project.
C. Describe the problems or challenges that occurred during the project. Explain how these
problems or challenges were handled.
D. Describe the impact you believe your project had on the community or on the people
who received your service.
E. Describe what you learned about your community as you worked on your project.
Describe what you learned about yourself and the importance of giving something back
to others.

I have reviewed my child’s Project Summary Report and confirm the accuracy of the
information presented. I understand that a community service project must be completed in
order to meet the graduation requirements for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

______________________________________________ ____________________
Parent Signature Date

______________________________________________ ____________________
Student Signature Date

________________________________________________________ _________________________
Academy Lead Teacher Signature Date