Per the OSSE website, the class of 2024 has a requirement of 50 community service hours. I have senior who worked really hard on this and just completed the last of their 50 hours in August...only to find out 2 weeks ago that the school implemented a higher requirement of 75 hours for this year's senior class.

My kid thought he was done with it, so he was a little annoyed when he found out, but he got over it pretty fast. He had hoped he would have the fall season to focus on college visits/applications, sports, senior class events and spending time with friends, but...he had to add more community service to the mix as well.

He said since it's only 25 more hours then he plans to do at least 12 hours over this coming holiday weekend so he can get at least half of it done. I'm hoping he can squeeze in the rest before the end of October so he'll be totally finished by Thanksgiving.

If my kid (who is a graduating senior) can do it, then your kid who is only a junior can do it too. Why would you even be looking for an escape hatch for your kid when he/she has TWENTY whole months left to get this done? And how do you know it'll be a burden for your kid? My kids were huffy about doing it at first, but once they started, they actually really enjoyed it.

Please don't encourage your kid to take the easy way out, you're better than that OP...I know you are.

Anonymous wrote:capital area food bank is very easy to schedule and track hours. If your kid is under 18 you have to volunteer with them, but, it is very well organized and an enjoyable volunteer experience.

Completely agree. I did it for a work required volunteer time. Loved it.

Prior to COVID, if you didn't have the hours, you didn't graduate. During COVID they kept saying the hours were required, then would waive them at the last minute because so many kids didn't have the hours and they couldn't risk the drop in graduation rates. Now OSEE has a new tapered hour requirement to get students back up to 100 hours. No exceptions. I suggest kids get on it!

2022-23: 12 hours (Note: Any student who transfers into DCPS from a non-DCPS or Public Charter School in the middle of the year shall have the requirement waived.)
2023-24: 50 hours
2024-25: 75 hours
2025-26 and after: 100 hours
https://dcps.dc.gov/page/community-service

Anonymous wrote:As a parent, I'm surprised that others are even questioning this. Don't you care about your children growing up to be kind people who are concerned about the world around them? Volunteering shouldn't be viewed as a drudgery, something to avoid. By HS, kids are old enough to figure out appropriate volunteer activities and do them regularly. There are lots of options in DC across a range of interests (public libraries, YMCA camps, retirement communities, Martha's Table, etc.).

As a DCPS teacher I’m not surprised a parent is questioning this. Most parents are lovely but there are always a few who think school should cater to their child specifically. Their kid shouldn’t have to do what they don’t seem ‘important’ but if they don’t get the exact schedule of APs they want as a sophomore then they complain. It is sad to see.

Yes, I believe no hours, no diploma. But, there are lots of opportunities. Call his former elementary and middle school. They often have opportunities to help out the teachers or work on the grounds.

If looking for volunteer opportunities, check out

Capital Area Food Bank
https://g.co/kgs/MVzEo3

Rock Creek Conservancy
https://www.rockcreekconservancy.org/

As a parent, I'm surprised that others are even questioning this. Don't you care about your children growing up to be kind people who are concerned about the world around them? Volunteering shouldn't be viewed as a drudgery, something to avoid. By HS, kids are old enough to figure out appropriate volunteer activities and do them regularly. There are lots of options in DC across a range of interests (public libraries, YMCA camps, retirement communities, Martha's Table, etc.).

Anonymous wrote:Hahahaha. I’m sure you’ll be back here at college application time asking for help on how to make your snowflake get into the school of his choice. You can tell them he learned nothing from his community service because he didn’t do any and his mama helped him get out of it with some lame excuses and by waiting until the last minute.

Seriously. Screw you and your kid.

Or why a teacher won’t write their kid a recommendation letter. Because their kid is probably entitled and lazy as encouraged by their parent.

Hahahaha. I’m sure you’ll be back here at college application time asking for help on how to make your snowflake get into the school of his choice. You can tell them he learned nothing from his community service because he didn’t do any and his mama helped him get out of it with some lame excuses and by waiting until the last minute.

Seriously. Screw you and your kid.

Seriously??? You can’t figure this out and encourage your kid to do this? An hour a week and it is done. A few weeks over the summer? Like what is wrong here?

Anonymous wrote:Me again (the DCPS teacher). I’ve felt guilty since I posted that, and I want to genuinely apologize for my rude remark. I do get frustrated sometimes bc I see some students who didn’t have a fair shake work really hard, but that doesn’t give me license to be mean. I don’t know you or your child, and I don’t know the circumstances.

I apologize.

Don't feel guilty. Your comment was the tough love that OP needs to see. Your perspective is appreciated.

Me again (the DCPS teacher). I’ve felt guilty since I posted that, and I want to genuinely apologize for my rude remark. I do get frustrated sometimes bc I see some students who didn’t have a fair shake work really hard, but that doesn’t give me license to be mean. I don’t know you or your child, and I don’t know the circumstances.

I apologize.

DCPS teacher at a Title I school. This is the most DCUM post ever.

Listen. If the kids I teach who receive free and reduced lunch can bust their asses in the summer to get hours, your snowflake can too.

Do the work.

Also, while I completely believe there are schools who skirt the rule, as of a few years ago community service hours couldn’t be done during school hours.

But more importantly, yeah, just do the work.

Easy way is to knock them out over the summer or during a school break.

If your child is planning on doing it week to week - make sure they save the template / content they submit because they need to right a reflection on their experience as they are submitting their hours. It is so much easier if you are doing this for multiple hours rather than 1 here and 1 there.