Community Involvement

Since September 1, 1999, one of the requirements for all students in Ontario is to complete 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop an understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities. Students will plan and select their community involvement activities in consultation with their parents/guardians and as part of the Individual Pathways Plan process.

Від 1 вересня 1999 року, щоб отримати диплом про середню школу в провінції Онтаріо (OSSD) однією з вимог до всіх студентів є 40 годин участі в громаді. Мета цієї вимоги полягає в тому, щоб заохотити студентів розвивати розуміння громадянської відповідальності та ролі, яку вони можуть відігравати, і вклад, який вони можуть зробити у підтримку та зміцнення своїх громад. Учні плануватимуть і обиратимуть свої заходи щодо залучення у громаді, погоджуючись зі своїми батьками/опікунами та в рамках процесу Індивідуального плану розвитку.

What is Community Involvement?

• an event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community

• a volunteer activity — not for pay or credit

• a constructive contribution to the community

Why has the Ministry of Education mandated it?

• reinforces civic responsibility

• strengthens the community

• develops new skills, enhances confidence, and builds self-esteem

• offers networking for future employment

• provides an experience for students to include in their portfolios

When must it be completed?

• any time during the secondary school program, beginning in the summer before they enter Grade 9, and prior to graduation

• outside class hours, for example:

o during lunch breaks

o in the evening

o on weekends

o during school breaks

o during the summer months

Getting Started

Step 1: Review the list of eligible and ineligible activities below

Step 2: Consult with parents/guardians and select an eligible activity

Step 3: Pick up a Community Involvement Notification and Completion Form from your Guidance Counsellor and complete the Proposed Activity section of the Form

Step 4: Obtain the signature of your parent/guardian if you are under 18

Step 5: Get a pre-approval signature for your activity from your Principal or Designate on the Completion Form

Step 6: Complete the activity

Step 7: Ask the Supervisor of the activity to complete and sign your Completion Form

Step 8: Submit the completed Form to your high school Guidance Office according to school procedures or deadlines

What Else You Need to Know

• Families must verify that the activity selected is in a safe environment and is on the TDSB approved list of eligible activities or has been pre-approved by the Principal or designate.

• Families are responsible for monitoring the completion of hours and the safety of their children. The following list of activities is approved by the Toronto District School Board and support not-for-profit initiatives. Any other activities must be pre-approved by the school Principal or designate.

HELP NEIGHBOURS/ HELP IN THE COMMUNITY/ HELP IN A SCHOOL

• provide service to seniors or to others who have difficulty leaving their homes — raking, shoveling (no snow blowers), shopping (students should not drive vehicles for this purpose), visiting, reading, meal preparation.

FACT SHEET

Community Involvement Hours (Grade 8 to 9)

Revised 2019 Current until revoked

• assist a neighbour with childcare, pet sitting, animal care

• tutor other students — read, take to library, help with homework, review difficult concepts

• volunteer at a seniors' home/centre — visit, read, play cards or board games, take seniors for walks, make crafts

• help organize local or school community events — food, clothing and toy drives/banks, fun fairs

• take part in environmental initiatives — recycling campaigns, park cleanup, planting trees and flower beds (students should not use power tools — lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, wood chippers, etc.)

• get involved in charitable activities — walkathon, daffodil sales, canvassing for non-profit organizations

• assist with sports teams but not as a player — community leagues, parks and recreation programs, within your school

• volunteer in leadership roles with community groups — youth groups

• volunteer in hospitals, libraries, or any charitable, not-for-profit organizations

• volunteer with social service or animal welfare agencies — Red Cross, United Way, Humane Society

• get involved in the democratic political process — act as a scrutineer, canvassing, campaigning

• offer service through religious communities/places of worship

• assist with literacy initiatives — at local libraries, daycare centers, community centres

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

• activities that are a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled

• activities that take place during the instructional day (except for during lunch and "spare" periods)

• activities in a factory, if the student is under 15 years of age

• activities that would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace

• activities that involve the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding

• activities that involve the administration of medication or medical procedure to other persons

• activities that involve handling of substances classed as "designated substances" under the OHSA

• activities that involve banking or handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables

• activities that consist of duties normally performed in the home (i.e. daily chores, caring for siblings)

• activities that are part of a court-ordered program (such as community service for young offenders)

WHERE TO FIND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Your Guidance Office Public Library Info Boards Community Centre Bulletin Boards

Community Involvement — St. Volodymyr Cathedral of Toronto (stvolodymyr.ca)
www.volunteertoronto.ca
www.charitvvillaqe.com
www.toronto-charities.ca

Parents/Guardians understand that the decision for their child to participate in a volunteer activity is between the Organization and them. They are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and by agreeing to or allowing their child to participate; they accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards to their child and the possibility of personal injury, property damage and loss resulting therefrom.

Parents/Guardians acknowledge that they are not aware of any reason, medical or otherwise, that would prevent their child from participating in the activity and fully accept personal responsibility for the damages, claims and costs following such injury, permanent disability, or death, including incidental expenses such as ambulance and other transportation fees.