Anonymous
05/09/2026 13:48
Subject: Middle school service hours?
So, did I understand it correctly that it depends on school to count 7th grade hours, some schools do and some don’t?
Is the mandatory service hours requirement only in middle school or also in high school at FCPS?
Is the mandatory service hours requirement only in middle school or also in high school at FCPS?
Anonymous
05/09/2026 13:33
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there is no standardization across FCPS with this. At our MS, kids get inducted into NJHS at the very end of 7th grade. Then they learn that the following year they will need to obtain 20 hours of service between the start of school and May 4th. In early September, the NJHS leaders hold a meeting to describe how to log hours and announce ways to get hours. So, the students have from September through April to earn 20 hours of service and get them approved through the appropriate channels. It is a lot and you really have to stay on top of it because you only have 8 months and there are not a lot of opportunities for 13 year olds to do service.
And this is why people need to know that NJHS is a community service club. Know what you are joining. For many, it’s a commitment for parents and the kid.
They are very clear about it, and my child is excited to have more service opportunities.
Anonymous
05/09/2026 12:08
Subject: Re:Middle school service hours?
For rising 7th graders and 8th graders, many food banks need help with packaging food and offer hours on a weekly basis. Your ES probably have events that they need help setting up and taking down and running stations. Libraries need help in ES and Ms with sorting and stacking books. Fairfax County runs invasive plant removal programs almost every weekend. Check at your local community centers and rec centers. There are a lot of hours out there/
Anonymous
05/09/2026 10:05
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like there is no standardization across FCPS with this. At our MS, kids get inducted into NJHS at the very end of 7th grade. Then they learn that the following year they will need to obtain 20 hours of service between the start of school and May 4th. In early September, the NJHS leaders hold a meeting to describe how to log hours and announce ways to get hours. So, the students have from September through April to earn 20 hours of service and get them approved through the appropriate channels. It is a lot and you really have to stay on top of it because you only have 8 months and there are not a lot of opportunities for 13 year olds to do service.
And this is why people need to know that NJHS is a community service club. Know what you are joining. For many, it’s a commitment for parents and the kid.
Anonymous
05/09/2026 09:12
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Sounds like there is no standardization across FCPS with this. At our MS, kids get inducted into NJHS at the very end of 7th grade. Then they learn that the following year they will need to obtain 20 hours of service between the start of school and May 4th. In early September, the NJHS leaders hold a meeting to describe how to log hours and announce ways to get hours. So, the students have from September through April to earn 20 hours of service and get them approved through the appropriate channels. It is a lot and you really have to stay on top of it because you only have 8 months and there are not a lot of opportunities for 13 year olds to do service.
Anonymous
05/09/2026 08:53
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:And there is a section in the NJHS application for service. Would have been good to start it so there was more to include.
+1
Anonymous
05/07/2026 21:36
Subject: Middle school service hours?
And there is a section in the NJHS application for service. Would have been good to start it so there was more to include.
Anonymous
04/27/2026 08:08
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
They sure as hell count at Carson. Kids try to get some done in 7th so it’s not so much in 8th when they also have to do NJHS hours (if they join). Carson also does an excellent job of offering opportunities right at the school itself so it’s easier. They also have a dedicated schoology page for service opportunities.
They've changed it then, for 7th grade hours definitely did not count when my two eldest kids went to Carson, and that wasnt that long ago.
My kid was at Carson just two years ago in 8th and was able to use hours from 7th and 8th.
Our kids must've had different Civics teachers, and there was not consistency among teachers. My kid's teacher did not allow hours from 7th grade.
Welcome to FCPS. Since some teachers allow hours to count from 7th, kids should be taught as soon as they begin middle school about service learning and how to get hours and how to use the system to record them. That way they can start early.
Anonymous
04/27/2026 05:43
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
They sure as hell count at Carson. Kids try to get some done in 7th so it’s not so much in 8th when they also have to do NJHS hours (if they join). Carson also does an excellent job of offering opportunities right at the school itself so it’s easier. They also have a dedicated schoology page for service opportunities.
They've changed it then, for 7th grade hours definitely did not count when my two eldest kids went to Carson, and that wasnt that long ago.
My kid was at Carson just two years ago in 8th and was able to use hours from 7th and 8th.
Our kids must've had different Civics teachers, and there was not consistency among teachers. My kid's teacher did not allow hours from 7th grade.
Anonymous
04/26/2026 20:11
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
They sure as hell count at Carson. Kids try to get some done in 7th so it’s not so much in 8th when they also have to do NJHS hours (if they join). Carson also does an excellent job of offering opportunities right at the school itself so it’s easier. They also have a dedicated schoology page for service opportunities.
They've changed it then, for 7th grade hours definitely did not count when my two eldest kids went to Carson, and that wasnt that long ago.
My kid was at Carson just two years ago in 8th and was able to use hours from 7th and 8th.
Anonymous
04/26/2026 19:38
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
They sure as hell count at Carson. Kids try to get some done in 7th so it’s not so much in 8th when they also have to do NJHS hours (if they join). Carson also does an excellent job of offering opportunities right at the school itself so it’s easier. They also have a dedicated schoology page for service opportunities.
They've changed it then, for 7th grade hours definitely did not count when my two eldest kids went to Carson, and that wasnt that long ago.
Anonymous
04/26/2026 16:31
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
Depends on the school, DC’s school takes 7th grade hours. NJHS won’t take hours prior to the 7th induction ceremony.
+1 kind of crappy if a school won’t accept service hours in 7th considering it’s called “middle school service hours.”
Anonymous
04/26/2026 16:30
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
They sure as hell count at Carson. Kids try to get some done in 7th so it’s not so much in 8th when they also have to do NJHS hours (if they join). Carson also does an excellent job of offering opportunities right at the school itself so it’s easier. They also have a dedicated schoology page for service opportunities.
Anonymous
04/26/2026 12:25
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.
Depends on the school, DC’s school takes 7th grade hours. NJHS won’t take hours prior to the 7th induction ceremony.
Anonymous
04/26/2026 11:55
Subject: Middle school service hours?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Franklin hasn’t told the 7th graders jack sh*t about volunteer hours.
That's because 7th graders don't need volunteer hours.
They probably also haven’t told 7th graders about the 8th grade formal, Oakton's prom, requirements for high school graduation attire, or when college applications are due. Why? Because 7th graders dont need that information yet.
If hours from 7th grade can count toward the total, then yes we need that information. We don’t want to saddled with it all in one year.
Hours from 7th grade don't count.