Community Service

Community Service is a graduation requirement for all SVHS students.

The minimum commitment is 40 hours over four years for an average of 10 hours per year. Students who have not been at SVHS for the full four years need only to complete community service hours for the years they have attended SVHS. Community Service hours must be completed by May 1st of the Senior year.

Service projects and activities are often a transforming element for the individual student as they have the potential to nurture and mold the global citizen. Service involves interaction such as the building of links with individuals or groups in the community. The community may be the school, the local district, or it may exist on national and international levels, such as undertaking projects of assistance in a developing country. Service activities should not only involve doing things for others but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment to them. The relationship should, therefore, show respect for the dignity and self-respect of others.

Community Service hours must be documented by completing the Community Service Agreement and Reflection Form (on the back). The Agreement must be signed by the supervisor of the activity, and the Agreement and Reflection Form must be on file in the Office of the Registrar. 

Note:  Some service programs require training prior to being able to enter into service.  Training hours will not be applied to the Community Service graduation requirement.

Current Community Service Opportunities

Sages & Seekers is a wonderful organization that helps reduce ageism, feel connected and is NOT a mentoring program. Yes, you may learn things from your Sage, but you have as much wisdom to share with them as they do with you. One hour, once a week is your commitment and you earn 15 hours of community service. Must be a minimum of 15 years old, program lasts 8 weeks. The deadline to apply for the April/May session is Thur, 4/4. For more information & to register click here

VegFest is bringing the local community together to celebrate and learn about plant based, animal friendly and environmentally sustainable lifestyle and they need your help! There will be kids booths, taking tickets, directing people and various other tasks. Fri, 4/5 from 3 - 6:00. Sat, 4/6 from 6am - 10:30, 9:30 - 12:30, 12 - 3:30, 3 - 6:30,, 6 - 9:30. Event will be held at the Cocoanut Grove at the Boardwalk. To sign up, contact camilla@vegfestsantacruz.org or see Amy Paul in the College & Career Center

Scotts Valley Multicultural Fair needs lots and lots of help! You can earn hours leading up to the event and on the actual day. Many opportunities are available such as preparing activities, creating artwork, set-up, hosting a booth, help with the fashion show, work at the information booth, sales, organize supplies, offer breaks, clean-up and more! Fri, 5/3 from 4-6pm and Sat, 5/4 from 8am - 6pm Sign-Up here or see Ms Fleisch with any questions at dfleisch@scottsvalleyusd.org

She is Beautiful - Packet Pick Up Day help runners get their bib #'s and goodie bags. Fri, 5/10 shifts are 2-4:15 & 4 - 6:15 Pick Up Day is held at REI in Santa Cruz. To sign up, contact Sara at sara@runsheisbeautiful.com or see Amy Paul in the College & Career Center

She is Beautiful Race needs help with directing runners & cheering on runners! You will receive a free hat, morning treats and extra good energy being sent your way!!! Sat, 5/11 from 7:15 - 11am To sign up, contact Hallie at hanzalone@wafwc.org or see Amy Paul in the College & Career Center

Natasha's Run needs help for their big fundraiser race day! They will need help with keeping runners on course, bounce house supervision, face painting and more. Sat, 6/15 at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Sign-up here or contact Loreal at loreal.weitzel@arukahproject.org

Autism Family Network is in need certified belayers for their indoor rock climbing program at Pacific Edge. You have time to become certified! Rock Climbing events take place the 3rd Sunday of each month through April, 5:30 - 7:30. For more information and to sign up, click here

Vine Hill Elementary needs high school students to help tutor 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Do you have a free 6th or 7th period??? This might be perfect for you. Help is ongoing throughout the school year, Monday's & Thursday's from 3:00 - 4:00 Monday is in room P8 with Mrs. Bright & Thursday is in room P1 with Mrs. Blue. To learn more or to sign-up, contact Mrs Bright at abright@scottsvalleyusd.org

Birch Bark Foundation is committed to protecting the human-animal bond through assistance to vulnerable families facing unaffordable medical expenses to save the life of a pet. Volunteers are needed in multiple ways. Click here for more information on the organization. Click here to sign-up

YouthServe is an organization that is involved in several community services opportunities. This site will keep you up to date with what is currently available. Right now they have a graffiti clean-up and beach clean-up. In the spring they will also need help painting a mural in Santa Cruz County. To learn more and sign-up, see here, Project List

Santa Cruz Public Libraries has a substantial list of community service opportunities. Currently, they have needs listed for the Arboretum at UCSC, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and Bike Smart - youth bicycle safety program and more! Check it out here

Vine Hill Life Lab needs help with their garden. Your tasks would include tidying, sprucing, weeding, laying down mulch, and various other jobs. You can schedule this around your availability. Contact Amy Paul to sign-up

♦ YMCA Camp Campbell is looking for responsible high schoolers to volunteer to be a cabin leader while developing their leadership skills, earning community service hours, and helping create a memorable educational experience for 5th and 6th graders. Volunteers commit to Monday through Thursday. See Amy Paul Paul for weeks. To sign up or to get more information, contact Manager of Volunteer Services at cabinleader@ymcasv.org 

♦ Santa Cruz Public Library system needs help at their Felton branch. You would be part of the North County Advisory Council for Teens (ACT). Your duties would include advise and assist the library staff, implement teen services & programming. You would also assist with library programs and events. They met every 3rd Saturday from 2-4pm at the Felton Library 6121 Gushee St. For more information contact Jacqueline at 831-427-7700 or danzigerj@santacruzpl.org

♦ Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz are looking for students to help with their ongoing projects. MBOSC are offering regular weekday drop-in trailwork hours typically Tuesday through Friday and you can attend for as little or as long as you'd like. Please just RSVP so they know how many volunteers to expect. MBOSC provides all tools and equipment along with guidance from staff. For more information visit mbosc.org/trailwork or contact Emma at emma@mbosc.org

Volunteer Match of Santa Cruz County has a variety of opportunities continually available. They have something for everyone right now with needs from the Maui fires, animals, food distribution and the environment. Volunteer Match

Volunteer Center - Connect for Good has many opportunities in the Santa Cruz County. To name a few, they have: food distribution, walk to end Alzheimer's, gift bag decoration for Adopt a Family, and being a literacy tutor. Santa Cruz Volunteer Center

SVHS Campus Beautification Seeking help for litter pick-up, light weeding. pruning, etc Contact Amy Paul in the College and Career Center

 Dominican Hospital Gift shop, nursing units and general office work.

Contact 462-7740

♦ Animal Service Authority Dog walking, kennel cleaning, playing with small caged animals, office support.

Contact 454-7200

Beach Flats Food Pantry Work with Valley Vineyard Church to bag groceries for distribution in the Beach Flats Community

Contact 438-3456

Save Our Shores Beach clean-up

Contact 462-5660

♦ Second Harvest Food Bank Help organize organize and hand out supplies

Contact 706-6113

♦ Brook Knoll Elementary School Various school projects, volunteering in classrooms as teacher aids, etc. Project specific, not to exceed 15 hours

Contact Josh Wahl, Principal 423-2454

 Vine Hill Elementary School Various school projects, volunteering in classrooms as teacher aids, etc. Project specific, not to exceed 15 hours

Contact Tracey Neilsen, Principal 438-4087

♦ Scotts Valley Middle School Various school projects, volunteering in classrooms as teacher aids, etc. Project specific, not to exceed 15 hours

Contact Joe Allen, Principal 438-0610

DID YOU KNOW?

►  You can check your Community Service hours in Synergy at the bottom of Course History.

► Pre-approved service opportunities may be found on the link to the right.

►  Community Service opportunities are posted in SVHS College & Career Center.

►  See YouthServe for community service opportunities in our county.

►  The annual SVHS Community Service Fair is held on campus every September.

►  New postings may be found on this website.

CONTACT

Community Service Coordinator
Amy Paul
apaul@scottsvalleyusd.org

COMMUNITY SERVICE POLICY

To read more on Community Service Policy

PRE-APPROVED COMMUNITY SERVICE

CAREER EXPLORATION

Students can earn up to 15 hours of community service through Career Exploration. They can choose to explore through career interviews, site visits/tours, job shadows, and internships.

Career Exploration Program