• Southside Community Service Learning Credit (Class of 2025 and 2026)
    • Southside Community Service Graduation Requirement (Class of 2027 and 2028)

    Southside High School's Community Service Learning offers students the opportunity to serve the school and the local community, all while earning a credit towards graduation.

    Community Service Learning Credit (CSLC) (Class of 2025 and 2026):

    Act 648 of 1993 states that beginning with the 1996-97 school year, "a student who has completed a minimum of seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12), at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall be eligible to receive one (1) academic credit that may be applied toward graduation." 

    The community service hours must be completed at an approved community organization or as part of a service-learning school program. The maximum amount of credit per student is one (1) unit of credit. No half units of credit may be awarded. The community service learning project is not a graded course.  The community service learning credit will not be calculated in the student’s GPA.

     

    Community Service Graduation Requirement (Class of 2027 and 2028):

    The LEARNS Act of 2023 (Act 237) mandated that all students entering high school this year as part of the Class of 2027 must earn 75 hours of Community Service as a graduation requirement.

    Hours are recommended to be broken up over 4 years as follows, but students may earn hours earlier than scheduled:

    • Freshmen: 15 Hours
    • Sophomores: 20 Hours (Total 35)
    • Juniors: 20 Hours (Total 55)
    • Seniors: 20 Hours (Total 75)

    How do I earn the credit or track hours for the graduation requirement?

    By completing the following steps, you will earn the service learning credit:

      1. Complete 75 hours of documented community service.
      2. Hours are tracked through https://mobileserve.com/ on student accounts.
      3. Students will have to complete a one-page reflection form for the CSLC:
        • To have the CSLC appear on the FALL Transcripts:
          • Complete the 75 hours and the one-page reflection by December 6th. 
        • For credit on the SPRING Transcript:
          • Complete the volunteer service and reflection form by Friday, May 2nd for seniors or Friday, May 16th for juniors.

     

    List of Approved Community Service Sites

    FSPS maintains a list of approved partner sites and organizations. Volunteer hours done with these partners can count towards the CSLC, along with hours done through school organizations, teams, or classes. See the FAQ below if your organization is not on the state-approved partner list.

      

    FAQ:

    Q: What if the outside group I want to work with is not on the FSPS Community Service Partner List?

    A: If you are a part of a non-profit or community organization and would like to be added to the community partner list above, please click the form link below and fill out the form. Completed partner forms will be approved by the FSPS Board of Education during the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting after the form has been submitted.

    Community Service Learning Partner Application

     

    Q: What if I don’t get all of my hours done in one semester?

    A: The hours rollover to the next semester. You can verify hours from any grade 9-12.

     

    Q: When can I start submitting hours?

    A: Hours may count if the date volunteered was after June 1st before a student starts their freshman year. Hours may be submitted once the student’s account has been created.

     

    Q: What if I want to include hours that I can’t get verified?

    A: All hours must be verified by a school sponsor or a representative of an approved district partner. Unverified hours will not be counted.

     

    Q: This isn’t an AP class. Will this hurt my GPA?

    A: No. This is a NON-Graded course. It counts as an elective credit towards graduation, but is not included when calculating your GPA.

     

    Q: So if this won’t help my GPA, why do this?

    A: Because it will make you stand out to colleges, you get rewarded and recognition for all the hard work you’ve done in the community, and it allows you to #BeMoreMaverick!

     

    Contact:  

    Joshua Adams, CSL Coordinator 

    jadams@fortsmithschools.org

    479-646-7371