Embedded Files
All students are encouraged to become involved in our school and our community through volunteer opportunities and 40 hours of community service, a requirement for achieving the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
As Catholics, we are called to the service of others. Volunteering offers many personal benefits and builds a healthy community. By volunteering, you can:
Contribute to your community
Gain valuable work experience
Learn new skills or create new interests
Meet new people and make new friends
Lend your talents to a cause or initiative that is important to you
Examples of Catholic Community Involvement:
Examples of Catholic Community Involvement:
Within the Community
Within the Community
Assisting charities, service clubs, and other not-for-profit organizations
Participating in liturgical ministry (lector, server, choir)
Assisting with children's liturgy
Volunteering service with parish/church organizations (e.g., Share Lent, youth group)
Assisting with Brownies, Guides, Cubs, and Scouts
Coaching sports teams
Helping organize community events (e.g., winter carnival, Canada Day)
Participating in environmental projects (e.g., cleanup, recycling programs)
Assisting in a seniors' residence
Participating on committees (e.g., advisory boards, school committees)
Participating in community services (e.g., United Way, local food banks, Meals on Wheels, 4-H Club, Big Sister, Big Brother)
Within the School
Within the School
Participating on the student council
Organizing school activities (e.g., Grade 9 welcome, school arts show, sports meets)
Assisting in school activities (e.g., guide for Parents' Night, technical crews for productions, student ambassador for feeder school)
Participating in environmental projects
Participating in school/community activities (e.g., Terry Fox Run)
Tutoring students or being a reading buddy
Being a peer mediator
Participating on yearbook committee
Organizing a dance
Website created to help search for Volunteer Opportunities:
Examples of Ineligible Activities:
Examples of Ineligible Activities:
Some ineligible activities include:
Handling of securities
Household chores
Operation of motor vehicles and power tools
Court-ordered programs
Parent Involvement:
Parent Involvement:
Parents should provide assistance to their child when selecting one or more community involvement activities. Selection of activities should take into account the age, maturity, and ability of the student, the location and environment of the proposed activity, and the need for any special training, equipment, and preparation. The safety of the student is paramount.
Parents should communicate with the community sponsor and the school principal if they have any questions or concerns.
Sponsor Involvement:
Sponsor Involvement:
Persons and organizations within the community may be asked by the student to sponsor a community involvement activity. Any training, equipment, or special preparation that is required for the activity should be provided by the person or organization. Students must be able to fulfil their community involvement requirement in a safe environment. Our School Board expects community sponsors to ensure that student volunteers are provided with safety instructions, and are trained and supervised to ensure a safe and mutually beneficial volunteer experience.
The person overseeing the student's activity must verify the date(s) and the number of hours completed on the "Completion of Community Involvement Activities" form.
Because the program is mandated by the Ministry of Education, our School Board's liability insurance will protect the students and the community sponsors. However, our School Board's insurance does not cover lawsuits that occur from injury in the workplace arising from sponsor negligence. Though not required, it is recommended that students involved in the program purchase Student Accident Insurance.
For additional information on community involvement, you can read the Ontario Ministry of Education's Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirement: Community Involvement Activities in English-Language Schools (April 27, 1999).
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