Frequently Asked Questions About Service-Learning

SERVICE-LEARNING SCENARIOS: WHAT COUNTS?

Every independent service-learning project must be pre-approved by the Service-Learning Coordinator PRIOR to beginning the project. All service-learning projects must address a real community need and include Preparation, Action, and Reflection.

1. RELIGION

Q: My child is heavily involved in our religious organization. What activities will count for service-learning hours?

A: There are many activities through religious organizations that students can use to earn service-learning hours. These include: preparing and serving meals to homeless; working in shelters; clothing/food/book/toy drives; community improvements/renovations; participating in community clean-up projects; or participating in vacation bible school (if not teaching religious content). As specified by the federal guidelines on the separation of church and state, service that is conducted for religious practice will not be counted for service-learning hours. This includes activities such as Altar services, Acolytes, choir, teaching and/or assisting in the teaching of Bible/Sunday school, and setting up for religious services.

2. LIBRARIES

Q: Can my children do their service-learning hours at our community library?

A: Yes, however, they may not replace a paid employee and should be engaging in direct services with the patrons (e.g., literacy program for children, computer instruction). Many of the public libraries have programs designed to allow students to participate and earn service-learning hours.

3. DAY CARE

Q: Can my child earn service-learning hours at a licensed day care center?

A: Yes, as long as the student is not taking the place of a paid employee and the project includes appropriate preparation and reflection activities. The center must be licensed (a copy of the license must be presented to the service-learning coordinator) and the student must be working directly with children to promote healthy child development. (See guidelines for Child Care in the Appendix).

4. BABYSITTING

Q: Can my child babysit for free and have it count for service-learning hours?

A: No, students cannot babysit for neighbors, friends, or family for free and earn service-learning hours. However, if the student is providing a service that helps meet a community need, such as babysitting during PTA meetings or Parents Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the site of the meetings, these hours would count.

5. CLERICAL/CUSTODIAL

Q: Does clerical/custodial work count for service-learning hours?

A: Clerical/custodial tasks may be a component of many valuable service-learning projects. However, these tasks must be done in a nonprofit organization and cannot be more than 25% of the service experience (e.g., answering phones, stuffing and labeling envelopes, collating, stapling, filing, faxing, sweeping, taking out trash).

6. TEACHER’S AIDE

Q: Can my child work as a teacher’s aide and earn service-learning hours?

A: Yes, if it is direct service for other students such as tutoring or creating educational displays or resources. However, making copies, grading papers, washing boards, cleaning the classroom, clapping erasers, etc. is considered clerical and cannot be more than 25% of the experience. Students may also work within the school office, library or with the school nurse provided the experience still meets the program guidelines.

7. SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY-BASED PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES

Q: Can my child earn hours for participating in music/theatre productions?

A: Students cannot earn hours for participating in a school performance or competition (such as their spring concert). However, if the group is voluntarily performing in public (e.g., community parade or event, performing at a senior citizen center during the holidays) then students can earn service-learning hours for their service.

8. WORKING FOR INDIVIDUALS

Q: Our neighbor is in need of special assistance. Can my child help and earn service-learning hours?

A: With substantive preparation and reflection on the issue affecting your neighbor, this may be turned into a service-learning project. Students or parents should speak with the school service-learning coordinator to see if an activity could qualify as a service-learning project.

Example: Your neighbor has a child with a disability and needs assistance with building skills that you can help develop such as reading or fine motor skills.

9. WORKING FOR BUSINESSES

Q: Can my child work for my friend’s business?

A: All service-learning projects must meet a real community need. Students may be able to earn hours depending on the activity, but a business should not profit financially from the service-learning efforts of our students.

Example: Students cannot serve food at a restaurant during regular business hours. They can assist in the planning and implementing of a dinner for the homeless in collaboration with that restaurant.

10. POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS

Q: Can my child campaign for a political candidate/specific issue and earn service-learning hours?

A: Yes, as long as it is not in conflict with the Precepts, Beliefs, and Values and the Multicultural Education Mission of the Baltimore County Public School system. Additionally, preparation and reflection activities must be included. Remember that no more than 25% of the project can be clerical tasks.

11. TEAM MANAGERS/ASSISTANTS

Q: Can my child earn service-learning hours by being a team manager?

A: No. While team managers/assistants can be a valuable part of school athletic teams, participation as a manager or assistant does not meet the state requirements for service-learning. However, students working with or coaching community-based teams (such as those run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks) may earn hours if they are not paid for their service.

12. SCHOOL THEATRE

Q: My child spends many long hours working on the theatre production at their school. Can he/she earn service-learning hours for this?

A: Students may earn service-learning hours for school productions only if the production is being used to serve the community or population of people in order to teach, entertain, or promote the arts to those who may not have access otherwise (i.e. performing the play for younger students or for the disabled in order to promote the arts). Students should share how they became involved in the arts and the work that the production takes and encourage others to get involved. Students must get pre-approval from the service-learning coordinator before any hours can be accepted. Projects will be evaluated on an individual basis.

13. WORKING FOR MUSIC/SPORTS BOOSTERS PROGRAM

Q: Can my child earn hours by working with the music/sports boosters program?

A: Students may be able to earn service-learning hours by working with the music or sports booster programs if they are participating in fundraising and/or other activities that provide support to those programs. However, students must do more than work at a concession stand to earn hours. Students must be actively involved with the boosters program (such as participating in booster meetings) and must complete preparation and reflection activities with the program in order to earn service-learning hours.

14. WORKING FOR THE SCHOOL PTA

Q: Can my child earn hours by working with the school PTA?

A: Students may earn service-learning hours by working with the PTA if they are assisting in fundraising and/or other activities that support the school. However, students must complete more than clerical duties to earn hours. Students must be actively involved with the program (such as attending meetings or participating in fundraising events) and must complete preparation and reflection activities with the PTA in order to earn service-learning hours.

If students or parents have questions regarding any project, they should speak directly with the service-learning coordinator at their school or contact the Office of Service-Learning at 410-887-4329.