Description
Working with the physically or mentally challenged in an approved agency:
These programs are very diverse and include everything from day care to camping. In most situations, the student is involved in a one-on-one activity with a developmentally challenged person. Some programs require an orientation or training session as well as parental permission.
Working with the elderly in a senior day center or convalescent/rehabilitation center:
Students participate in a variety of activities which enable them to interact with the elderly. Some of these activities include reading to those with poor vision, functioning as a group leader for exercise and sports, playing one-on-one table games, writing letters, taking the elderly for walks or just visiting with them. In some situations, students may serve meals or clean up after the meal. Bellarmine students will only earn miscellaneous credit in situations when asked to help with manual labor (e.g. moving furniture, setting up tables) and they are not interacting with seniors. Several programs require that students have a T.B. test (on file) within a year of the service.
Working with Environmental Organizations:
For the 2023-2024 year, sophomores can work with environmental organizations, non-profits focused on environmental justice and care of our common home.
Hours & Deadlines
Sophomores must complete 15 hours of service between May 24, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Half of those hours, i.e., 7.5 hours, are to be turned in by December 4, 2024. All of these hours must be completed at an approved agency: an environmental organization, or one that serves the elderly or the physically/mentally challenged. Students who neglect to complete and submit half of their service requirement on time in November will earn a JUG. Those who fail to fulfill the entire requirement on time will receive a Saturday JUG and may be placed on probation. NOTE: Students may not engage in service during school hours. All service hours must be completed outside of school hours: after school, in the evening, on the weekends, or during school breaks.
Verification
CSP hours must be verified before they will be approved. This verification can take place electronically or via a CSP time card. NOTE: Student service hours may not be verified by family members or relatives.
Electronic Verification will be accepted if the agency is on the CSP approved list of agencies or if the supervisor has a .org, .gov, or .edu e-mail address (e.g., name@organization.org, name@agency.gov, or name@school.edu). Please do the following:
- Make sure the supervisor and/or agency agrees to verify your hours electronically.
- Tell the supervisor that you will log hours into x2VOL on the day of your service and that they will receive an e-mail from x2VOL. Make sure to get the supervisor's e-mail address.
- When you log your hours into x2VOL, make sure to enter the supervisor’s e-mail address.
- Ask the supervisor to reply to the x2VOL query within 24 hours.
- A maximum of 10 hours of service credit can be received in a single day.
- If all of the above steps are followed, you will not need to submit a CSP time card.
CSP Time Cards must be completed in INK and signed off by an adult supervisor at the agency who is not related to the Bellarmine student. Students are asked to use the yellow time cards to confirm these hours. Extra time cards may be picked up in the CSP office or downloaded online. If a student does not have a CSP time card, he may ask the supervisor at the agency to give him a letter on agency letterhead or he may make a copy of their sign-in sheet. NOTE: A maximum of 10 hours of service credit can be received in a single day.