Community Service Now a Graduation Requirement

now has a community service requirement for students. 

The Board of Education approved the measure this week as a revision to the policy regarding graduation requirements. The requirement will take effect with the incoming Class of 2016.

"Community service is a way for our student body to give back to their community," the policy states.

It continues, "As part of their civic expectation at Rockville High School, students will be required to donate their time to the service of others."

There are several posted guidelines:

• The service must not be financially compensated in any way.

• Students may work with a specific non-profit organization or they may volunteer individually.

• Students may complete community service hours through any school organization, like the service club, if the appropriate club adviser verifies and documents the hours of service.

• Students already involved with community service for another requirement, like those of church confirmation programs, may count those hours as part of the graduation requirement.

Students will be required to complete 40 hours of community service to meet graduation requirements, the policy states. Students will be required to complete at least 10 hours during each school year. Students who transfer to Rockville High School after their ninth-grade year will have a modified total based on 10 hours per school year. For example, a sophomore transfer will have to complete 30 hours.

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