Students are required to complete 40 hours of community involvement activities as a component of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. These activities may be completed at any time during their secondary school years.
The community involvement requirement is designed to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility. Community service is to be completed outside of students' normal instructional hours and may begin as soon as they complete Grade 8. Students will maintain and provide a record of their community service activities using the Community Involvement Student Passport. This document is the responsibility of the student. The dates and times of student participation must be confirmed by the organizations or supervising persons. Contact your school for the process of distribution and collection.
Community Involvement Student Passport
Community Involvement Parent Resource Manual
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The following guiding principles, read in conjunction with the list of ineligible activities, are intended to assist the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) to determine whether a planned activity is within an approved area for the completion of the Community Involvement requirement:
An event or activity performed with the community as an expression of faith;
- An event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community;
- An event or activity to support a not-for-profit agency, institution or foundation that conforms to the ethical and religious standards of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Ministry of Education;
- Any structured program that promotes tutoring, mentoring, visiting or coaching, or whose purpose is to assist others who require the benefit of that assistance;
- Participation in an event or activity that promotes positive environmental awareness;
- Participation in an event or activity that promotes positive inclusivity of all persons and contributes to the health and well-being of all members of the community, including school-based activities;
- Participation in an event or activity affiliated with a club, religious organization, arts or cultural association, or political organization that is inclusive of our Catholic values and makes positive contribution to the community.
Where an event or activity does not clearly fall within the guidelines, the Principal or the student’s school has the discretion to approve or reject any activity or event that does not conform to the guiding principles and ethical standards for approved areas of involvement for students. Areas of involvement may include:
Fundraising-includes canvassing, walk-a-thons, celebrity games, gift wrapping, gala events and sales for charitable purposes;
Sports/Recreation-includes coaching, helping to organize special meets and games, and volunteering as a leisure buddy or pool assistant;
Community Events-includes helping to organize winter carnivals, parades and summer fairs;
Community Projects-includes participating in organized food drives, or support services for community groups
Environmental Projects-includes participating in community clean-ups, flower/tree planting, recycling and general beautification projects and activities;
Volunteer Work with Seniors-includes assisting at seniors’ residences (e.g. serving snacks, helping with activities or portering, or participating in visiting and reading programs);
Committee Work-includes participation on advisory boards, neighbourhood associations and regional associations;
Religious Activities-includes participation as a volunteer in programs for children, child minding, Sunday School assistance, special events and clerical tasks;
Youth Programs-includes volunteer assistance with the operation of youth programs such as 4H, Scouts, Guides, drop-in centres, breakfast programs, March Break programs, Leaders in Training, summer playground activities and camps;
Office/Clerical Work-includes volunteer activity in reception, computer work and mailings for individuals or groups providing charitable or general community benefit;
Work with Animals-includes volunteer involvement with animal care, horseback riding programs, or volunteer assistance at a local zoo or petting farm;
Arts and Culture-includes volunteer assistance at a gallery, performing arts production or program, or in a community library program;
Activities for Individuals-includes any volunteer activity that assists someone who requires assistance for shopping, tutoring, light snow removal (no use of snow blower), housekeeping, writing letters or transcribing, or involves hospital visitation, voluntary involvement with chronic care, or service as a volunteer reading buddy;
School Community Service-may include service within the school community that provides benefit to others that takes place outside the regular school day. These activities must be approved by the school Principal in advance of the commencement of the activity.
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The Ministry of Education and Training has developed a list of activities that may NOT be chosen as community involvement activities and that are, therefore, INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES. An ineligible activity is an activity that:
- is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g. co-operative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience);
- takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or ‘spare’ period is permissible;
- takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age;
- takes place in a logging or mining environment if the student is under sixteen years of age;
- takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult;
- would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace;
- involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding
- involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedures to other persons;
- involves handling of substances classed as ‘designated substances’ under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
- requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
- involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
- consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e. daily chores) or personal recreational activities;
- involves a court-ordered program (e.g. community service program for young offenders, probationary program).
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has determined that the following are also INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, in addition to those that the Ministry has listed as ineligible:
- any activity that provides direct financial benefit or gain to the student or to the student’s immediate family;
- any association with an organization, or an organization activity, that does not comply with the ethical and religious standards, policies and procedures of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.