Holy Cross Service FAQ
- If I do 50 hours of service in my freshman year will my service hours be complete? Hide
No. The student will be given credit toward graduation for the minimum number of required hours each year (i.e. 10 hours as a freshman, 15 hours as a sophomore etc.).
- Do I get extra credit for extra hours? Hide
There is no extra credit. There will be recognition of students who have completed more than 100 hours in a year.
- Do I have to find my own project? Hide
Some projects will have sign-ups through Campus Ministry, while students will need to arrange other projects. The school website has a list of possible agencies where students need to make their own personal contacts. Students will be expected to work with people who fit the description for each year's core project (i.e. Freshmen must work with developmentally disabled people, Sophomores must work with grammar school age children, Juniors must work with elderly and Senior must work with economically poor). All service must be done at community, school or church agencies or organizations that place the student in direct contact with people in need. All hours must be "hands on" work directly with people in need who are not friends, relatives or neighbors.
- When does my project need to be finished? Hide
All students must have their projects completed by the designated date. A student will not be allowed to return to Saint Francis High School unless the service project is complete. Seniors will not be allowed to graduate until their service hours are complete. If a student has not completed all the service hours by the designated date the student cannot complete the reflection for Religious Studies (and will receive a "0" grade for the reflection) and will be assigned a project by the Campus Ministry which will involve at least double all the hours originally required.
- How far in advance can I do my hours? Hide
Freshman hours will begin at the beginning of the school year. Hours may be accumulated any time after June 1 for Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. Remember each year has it's own minimum/maximum number of hours for credit (10 for Freshmen, 15 each for Sophomores & Juniors and 10 for Seniors).
- May I receive credit for service done through other organizations like Scouts or National Charity League? Hide
You may receive credit if the service involves work at a community, school or church agency or organization that places the student in direct contact with people in need. All hours must be "hands on" work directly with people in need who are not friends, relatives or neighbors.
- May I get credit for working on fundraising activities, political campaigns or with animals? Hide
No. All work must be done at a community, school or church agency or organization that places the student in direct contact with people in need. All hours must be "hands on" work directly with people in need who are not friends, relatives or neighbors.
- What about long term projects (i.e. science camp, hospital volunteer, coaching, Amigos de las Americas, Ronald McDonald House, etc)? Hide
These will be judged on an individual basis according to the population served by the student. In all cases the maximum amount of possible credit will be for the school year in which the project is completed. All extra hours will be noted for possible recognition award.
- What happens if I don't finish my project before the end of the school year? Hide
If students have not completed their Christian Service Projects by the due date Campus Ministry will meet with the student and give him/her a letter outlining the penalties for late service. This letter must be signed by the parent and student and returned to Campus Ministry within 2 days of receipt.
First Level Penalties- Incomplete hours will be doubled (i.e. if the student has completed four hours out of ten – the six incomplete hours are doubled to 12 hours).
- The student will serve three hours of detention
- The student will have ten days from the date of the meeting in Campus Ministry, to finish the doubled hours
- Students with incomplete service hours after the ten-day delinquent period will be suspended from school for one day.
- Seniors must complete 20 hours with economically poor before final exams in order to graduate.
- Freshman, sophomores and juniors must finish the doubled incomplete hours before the 1st day of final exams.
- Freshman, sophomores and juniors who fail to complete their hours by the first day of finals will automatically be enrolled in the Campus Ministry summer service program at a cost of $100.
- All hours will be doubled (i.e. 10 = 20, 15 = 30) and must be conducted with the core group (i.e. freshman with developmentally disabled, sophomores with children etc)
- All hours must be completed in order to return to Saint Francis in the fall semester.
- The student will be assigned a two-page reflection paper and a meeting will be scheduled with the student and a Campus Ministry representative before the student returns to school.