“A part of that piece to learn is to learn to be a good citizen, so that is why we do that,” Shaffer said.
Students at Urbana High School aren’t required to complete service hours but many do through participation in organizations like National Honor Society or FFA, Superintendent Charles Thiel said.
“Having those organizations (do service projects) leads to more time, more focused effort, more concentration on the project because it’s part of the bigger picture versus trying to track the child down to make sure that he’s just ... in compliance and not because they want to,” he said.
The requirement could also be viewed as an obstacle to graduation for students who work or have other obligations, Thiel pointed out.
“There’s a question in regard to how many barriers and hoops do we need to put in front of kids as they work toward graduation with testing requirements and course requirements,” he said.
Among the schools that require hours, each has different expectations.
At Tecumseh, students are required to complete 25 hours total, including five hours of political service.
At Shawnee High School, students receive credit toward their 60 hours for participation in athletic games and marching band performances, in addition to traditional community service.
“The research says if students are involved in stuff, they do better in school. So we’re trying to encourage them to be involved in as many things as possible because we feel it increases their achievement and success levels,” said Shawnee Principal Nathan Dockter.
Catholic Central Schools has the highest requirement of responding schools at 120 hours.
“Through their service experiences, our students learn communication and organization skills,” said Marcia Roth, service coordinator at Catholic Central.
“They learn more about the challenges our community faces, and how they can support and encourage others.”
Greenon, Tecumseh and Southeastern have a smaller hour expectation tied to one class that is required to graduate.
Requiring students to participate in community service may encourage them to be more involved in their community as adults, Springfield Superintendent David Estrop said.
“They will get a relatively early understanding of the importance of it and the rewards of it and the payoffs for both the community and themselves,” he said. “I hope it introduces them to a lifelong opportunity to provide service to others and their community.”
Springfield High senior Alex Wallen said his participation in school litter cleanups and charity runs will stick with him as an adult.
“A lot of people I know, and I’m probably one of them, if it wasn’t a requirement probably wouldn’t do it,” he said. “But really you can see yourself growing. In some cases you’re helping people or you’re just part of a big project that helps the community as a whole. That’s always really cool.”
In reflections on their service, 80 to 100 percent of Catholic Central seniors report that the program is valuable and should continue, Roth said, and that they plan to continue their service in the future.
“I plan to take whatever service I do in the community here to wherever I end up,” said Springfield High senior Kelsey McCready. “I will participate in other community service around the different places I will go.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or megan.gildow@coxinc.com.
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