Secondary school students are required to complete 40 hours of community involvement throughout their high school years as part of the secondary school diploma requirements. Hours may be completed in small amounts each year, or in larger amounts in selected activities over a shorter period of time. Students may begin to accumulate community involvement hours beginning in July of their Grade 9 year. The community involvement requirement is designed to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and the role they can play in supporting and strengthening their communities. Support is available for finding appropriate community involvement opportunities. Students must provide the required documentation of eligible hours (See Community Involvement Tracking Form).

Eligible Activities

Ineligible Activities

Questions and Answers

Community Involvement Activities - Tracking sheet (pdf

Community Involvement Brochure 2011

Within the student's school

student council/sub committees: eg. Christmas Sharing, Student Trustee, Terry Fox Run
school committees: eg. yearbook, Student Crime Stoppers
organizing/assisting in school activities: eg. Grade 8 orientation, fundraising, coaching sports, parent’s night, Science Fair, art shows, technical crew or school productions

ecoprojects: eg. school/comm unity clean-up, school/community restoration and beautification

school/community initiatives: eg. food drives, Christmas Sharing

non-credit peer assistance: eg. scribing, tutoring

participation in conferences/training programs outside of school hours: eg. leadership/peer mediation

School Group
supporting elementary school activities such as school yard clean-up, equipment room organization, reading buddies, coaching

Neighbourhood

tasks required by neighbours in need of assistance: eg. shovelling snow, raking, gardening, shopping, companionship for seniors, reading, playing cards, tutoring, babysitting

Family

student participation/assistance in volunteer activities with a family member(s): eg. coaching, fundraising, environmental
initiatives

assisting relatives/family, friends in need: eg. grocery shopping, yard work, meal preparation, childcare

Agencies/Community Organizations

church related volunteer activities

community agencies/service clubs, volunteer opportunities which would be appropriate to student volunteers assisting
in: fund raising, community event organization, environmental projects, sports coaching, scouting, guiding, friendly visits: eg. community services, local food banks, United Way, 4-H Clubs, Meals on Wheels, hospitals, etc.

is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (eg. cooperative 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” periods is permissible

takes place in logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age

takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen 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 procedure to other persons

involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

requires the knowledge of a trades person whose trade is regulated by the provincial government

involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, 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 (eg. community-service program for young offenders, probationary program)