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NCDSB Logo  Lakeshore Catholic High School  •  150 Janet Street, Port Colborne, ON L3K 2E7   •  905-835-2451

Student Services

Student Services

Community Service Form

Community Service Placements

APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SERVICE PLACEMENTS

In keeping with the mission, vision and values of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, the following service placements constitute Community Service:

  • Catholic/Christian social service agencies or social justice groups
  • Charitable activities – assistance at church bazaars, pancake suppers, spaghetti suppers
  • Coaching minor sports
  • Community Care residences
  • Fundraising for not-for-profit organizations
  • Homeless shelters
  • Hospitals and Hospices
  • Journey Retreat Leaders (before and after school hours);
  • Parish ministries
  • Local food banks
  • Nursing homes
  • Pilgrimage, Starvathon, or any school activities designated toward raising money for developing countries
  • Refugee centres
  • Service clubs
  • Unpaid academic tutoring
  • Volunteering at the Humane Society
  • Any activities that do not fall within the scope of the examples listed above must be approved by the Secondary School Principal.

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

A.   Ministry of Education Ineligible Activities

  • A requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (i.e., co-operative education portion of the course, job shadowing, work experience).
  • An activity that takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day; however, activities during the student's lunch breaks or "spare" periods are permissible.
  • An activity that takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age.
  • An activity that takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age.
  • An activity that takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult.
  • An activity that would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace.
  • An activity that involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding.
  • An activity that involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons.
  • An activity that involves handling of substances classed as "designated substances' under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • An activity that requires the knowledge of a trades person whose trade is regulated by the provincial government.
  • An activity that involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiquities, or other valuables.
  • An activity that consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e. daily chores) or personal recreational activities.
  • An activity that involves a court-ordered program (i.e., community-service program for young offender, probationary program).

B.   Niagara Catholic District School Board Ineligible Activities

  • Any activity that takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student's lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible;
  • Activities completed for reward (i.e. bonus marks)
  • Work normally done for a wage or any form of payment
  • Work required for a course in which the student is enrolled
  • Baby-sitting, shovelling snow, raking leaves for family or friends
  • Any activity that provides direct financial benefit or other gain (political, social, etc) to the student or    to the student's family/relatives;
  • Any activity that provides direct financial benefit or other gain (political, social, etc) to the student or to the student's family; and
  • Any association with an organization or an activity that conflicts with the ethical standards and teachings of the Catholic Church;
  • Scorekeeping/managing school teams during the school instructional day;
  • Alternative placement hours in lieu of suspension and/or detention as initiated/coordinated by school administration.
  • Students will be responsible for completing all documentation according to Board requirements.

The Community Service Activities Form must be submitted to the school by the required date as communicated by the school in conjunction with the Student Services Department. Religious Education Department staff will verify that the identified service activity meets the criteria of Community Service, approve the Completion of Community Services Activities Form, and forward the forms to Student Services to input the completed hours into the student’s Maplewood profile.

If a student enrolled in a Niagara Catholic Secondary School is interested in completing his/her Community Service over the summer.

Community Sponsors are responsible for providing a safe environment and the appropriate training, equipment and preparation for students who will be under their supervision. They must be aware of the "ineligible activities" as outlined in the Board's Information Brochure. The person (not parent/guardian) supervising the student's activity must verify the date(s) and number of hours completed on the Completion of Community Services Activities' Form found on the Catholic Secondary School’s website.

Principals, in co-operation with the Religion and Student Services Departments, are responsible for sharing information and documentation with students, parents and the broader community, approving special requests, and ensuring that completed Community Service hours are entered on a student's official transcript and report card.

The Niagara Catholic District School Board's liability insurance covers students who are involved in Community Service, but it is recommended that students participating in the program purchase Student Accident Insurance.