| When
seniors graduate from the Yosemite Joint Union High School District
in June 2004, many will be wearing a blue cord to signify that they
have met district requirements for a Commun-ity Service Award.
This new program will recognize students who perform a certain number
of hours of community service, or service learning, during their high
school years.
Because this will be the first year, the number of hours required
will reflect just one year of time; next year, two years will be reflected,
then three and after that hours will be accumulated over the entire
four years of high school.
A committee composed of students and staff met for the first time
recently to determine the guidelines for the program.
YJUHSD Superintendent Bill McCabe says this is something he has wanted
to implement for quite some time. “Not all students excel in academics
so they can qualify to be recognized with the gold cord of academic
achievement,” he says, “but every student can volunteer time to the
community to qualify for the district Community Ser-vice Award.”
He notes that more and more colleges and employers are looking at
a person’s record of involvement in their school and community as
well as their academic record.
“We believe it is important to give back to one’s community and we
want to recognize the students who give of their time and talents
to make their school and community better places for everyone,” McCabe
says.
“If they learn the importance and satisfaction of community service
while they are students, they will carry that commitment with them
after they graduate.”
Students are already involved in numerous community service/service
learning activities and, the superintendent says, this will be another
way to recognize them and to let them know that the district believes
it is important.
Anyone interested in being a member of the committee can call Earlene
Ward at 683-8801 ext. 338 for more information.
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