MIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOL

Bellevue High School’s Silver Cord Program

The purpose of the Silver Cord Program is to instill within the students the importance of community service and encourage students to be accountable for investing in their own education and in the community on a regular basis during their school years. The Silver Cord Program recognizes students for their community service during their high school years. Students who meet the thirty-hour requirement will be recognized in the spring of each school year. Students are expected to complete the thirty hours of service each year, with a total of One Hundred Twenty hours (120) total by the end of their senior year. A student cannot put off all hours until their senior year. A 10th -12th grade student may petition to earn up to, but no more than thirty make up hours for hours not completed during previous years.

Students volunteering one hundred twenty hours by April 30th of their senior year will have the distinct honor of wearing a silver cord during their graduation ceremony.

Who is eligible?
All Bellevue High School 9th – 12th grade students.
The Silver Cord Program starts May 1st of the students’ eighth grade year and concludes April 30th of senior year.

How do I begin?
1.     Consider volunteer activities of interest to you.
2.     Contact the volunteer organization or site to inquire about your service activities. Remember that Silver Cord hours must meet a clearly defined NEED for an agency, church, charity program, political agency, social service, group or community event. Opportunities will be made available through the announcements as well.
3.     Complete your service.
4.     Turn your COMPLETED Silver Cord Form, with ALL questions answered and ALL required signatures, into one of your class sponsors.

Can I complete hours in the summer?
Silver Cord service hours earned during the summer after the current academic year may be applied toward the following school year. Silver Cord forms must be used to document summer service hours.
The time frame for the following school year begins on May 1st and continues through April 30th.

Can I carry over hours from one year to the next?
Students can carry over up to fifteen hours from the previous year if the student had over thirty hours the previous year.

Can I put more than one event on a form?
If you serve multiple times for the same organization (for example, go to the nursing home each week for an hour) you can put a list of dates on the form and answer the questions based on the service as a whole. You do not need a separate form for each time you serve an organization.

What are acceptable service activities?
Silver Cord hours must be for providing a service or meeting a clear need for a non-profit agency, church, school, park, charity program or fundraiser, or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvement and should not be part of a required service for any program or as a part of your commitment to an organization as a member of that organization. Some examples of activities that would not be considered acceptable service are: sports team managing or training, required service work for a group as part of your membership obligation (ie: junior class, NHS, student council, homecoming events, music or athletic practice, employment orientation/training, work for one’s family, or service which is part of an academic, court ordered or discipline requirement. However, group service projects where participation is encouraged but is not required may be accepted.
Students may receive up to five hours each year for activities directly involved with the rituals, services, or ceremonies of any specific religion or fundraising to support a specific religious institution. Examples of activities may include: singing in your church choir, candle lighting, reading from religious texts, altar service, etc.
Accepted religious activities with no annual limit may include: teaching Sunday or Vacation Bible School, leading youth groups, babysitting during religious services, working at retreats, or mission trips.
A maximum of fifteen hours each year can be completed for Bellevue Community School related groups. The other fifteen hours need to be completed in the community.
If you feel you have a service activity in question, please seek a pre-approval form from Mr. Jess or Mr. Recker prior to completing hours.

Silver Cord Hours CANNOT be:
1.     To satisfy a class or requirement/obligation for any agency, program or organization of which you are a member.
2.     For a relative.
3.     For pay or compensation of any kind.

Are there any exceptions for unique situations?
Students who move into the district or have extenuating circumstances may be given special consideration. The Silver Cord Committee will be the decision making body.