Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many hours do I need to graduate?

A. 100 hours are required for graduation.

These hours must fall into certain categories based on who you are helping and how.

Up to 25% of your hours may be in the immediate category
(helping Sion, your church, your club sport, your elementary school, etc.)

Up to 35% of your hours may be in the practical work category (hands-on work for different social service agencies)

A minimum of 40% and up to 100% of your hours may be in the working with marginalized people category (working directly with people who are poor, suffering, and/or oppressed)

For more information on the categories of service, see the link from the service homepage.

Q. If I have already reached the maximum for a category or fulfilled the 100  hours, do I need to keep turning my service hours in?

A. You should turn all your hours in, because they may make you eligible for the Presidential Service Award or other awards.

Q. How many hours do I have?

A. First and third quarter report cards will show you how many hours you have earned towards graduation. Your report cards at the end of each semester will break it down between the categories and give you a total. Also, you can contact Mrs. Hull about your service hour totals.

Q. I turned in more hours than are showing on my report card. Why is that?

A. You may have hours that count towards your grand total but don’t count towards the graduation requirement. See the category explanation above. For example: if you turned in 10 hours helping at your old elementary school, 20 hours helping Sion, 7 hours helping at Harvesters, and 5 hours helping kids at Operation Breakthrough, you would have 37 hours towards graduation. You can only count 25 hours of helping in the immediate category and you reached the maximum in that category. Your 7 hours would count in the local community/practical work category. Your 5 hours would count in the marginalized/working with people category.

If after looking at your hours in this way, you still think your total is incorrect, please see Mrs. Hull ASAP.

Q. Where do I get service forms to fill out?

A. This Service Learning Web Site is connected to the Wornall Home page so you can access it from any computer that is connected to the internet. From the main Service Learning Site home page follow the Service Hour Report Form link and print it out.

Q. Where do I turn in my service forms?

A. Turn them into the Religion/Service-Learning office (next to the Freshman hallway). There are plastic drawers labeled for each year. There is also a designed tray in the library to turn in service hours. The third option is to put them in Mrs. Hull’s mailbox in 102B.

Q. When are my service hours due?

A. All hours completed in the summer, are due in Septmenber (see your planner for the specific due date). All hours completed in the fall semester are due on a designated date in December (check your planner). All hours completed between December and the winter/spring semester are due at the end of April/beginning of May (check your planner for the exact date). If you fail to turn in hours by the designated due dates, they "expire" and do not count towards your graduation requirements. You are encouraged to turn in hours ASAP after you complete them.

Q. When should I work on my service hours?

A. Incoming Freshmen may start working on their service hours the summer after their 8th grade graduation. We recommend at least 25 hours per year. Some religion classes have a service requirement. Seniors will complete at least 25 of their hours through their senior service projects. You can anticipate what times of the year are busier with practices, rehearsals, work, travel, etc. so plan your service commitments accordingly.

Q. Do my senior service project hours count towards the service hour graduation requirement of 100 hours?

A. Yes!

Q. How do I turn in my senior service project hours?

A. You will turn in a sheet with your hours and official signatures to Ms. McDermott, as the Senior Service Project Sponsor. These sheets will also be used to enter your hours for graduation. You do not need to turn in a separate Service Hour Form to Mrs. Hull for your senior service projects.

Q. What does not count as service hours?

A. Working for free does not automatically count as service. Service needs to benefit a non-profit organization and/or people who are marginalized, needy and/or suffering.

Some examples of what does NOT count are: helping a parent at work (unless they work at a non-profit); babysitting a neighbor for free (unless they fall under the marginalized/suffering category), working in a vet clinic, or helping a relative move (unless they cannot afford movers).