The CSL program helps high school students serve their communities and explore career pathways. The CSL program office is located in room 135. The CSL staff works with students to plan and create CSL and career exploration activities that will enhance and clarify a student’s search for opportunities. These opportunities will include, independent study, mentorships, shadowing experiences, service to the community, job and career exploration, and development of communication and other job related skills.
Students have the option of enrolling in the CSL program for one or more of the quarters:
- Students will be assigned to a service learning placement either within the SHS/BTC campus or at the external site located in the Barre area.
- Students will complete a minimum of 60 hours of service per quarter. This includes an orientation, training, service five days per week for 75 minutes per day, and reflection.
- Students in the 10th grade may enter the CSL program.
- Students in grade 11 and 12 will, in most cases, receive external site placements.
- Students also have the option of meeting service requirements during the morning block, after school, and weekends, through an independent study option. The student must also procure a site supervisor and develop a plan of action.
Volunteering refers to a person demonstrating good will to offer time and energy to address a need.
Community service learning is a method by which students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs, are coordinated in collaboration with the school and community, are integrated into the high school curriculum, provide the student with time to reflect on the service activity, provide the student with opportunities to use skills and knowledge in real life settings, enhance the students’ education by extending learning beyond the classroom, and foster a sense of caring and responsibility of the community.
Students benefit from CSL by building life skills in communication personal development, civic and social responsibility, and problem solving. Students who have participated in quality CSL experiences are attractive candidates to college admission boards who appreciate the sense of commitment shown by applicants who have worked with others to improve the quality of life for all living members.
Community service learning experiences are also good opportunities to explore career options, to make contacts with community professionals, and to get an idea of the current and future job market.
If you are considering a CSL experience, please talk to your guidance counselor or the CSL staff (room 135) to learn more about CSL placements and opportunities.
Students involved in CSL typically demonstrate social, personal, and intellectual growth and development. They increase their teamwork and problem solving skills, as well as, leadership skills and initiative. Their self-esteem increases as they see that they can tackle tough problems and succeed. It will also help them see their roles as citizens and as active participants in the solving of community problems.
Teaching students how to be involved citizens has traditionally been one of the primary purposes of public schools. The Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities support service learning as a method by which students gain fundamental skills and knowledge in preparation for successful lives.
Community service learning is also a method for improving classroom learning. There is now an understanding that many students learn best, not through lectures and seat work, but through active, purposeful experience. For instance, when students study chemistry, they can test a local stream for its acidic content. Based on their evaluation, they may decide how best to help clean up the stream or advocate for better water quality as a matter of public policy.
Students have several options. They may register for a CSL placement, either CSL 101 (semester) or CSL 102 (quarter) and receive a half a credit per quarter, or sign up for CSL 201 Exploratory/Independent Study and receive one credit per semester.
In CSL 201, students will be able to implement a CSL project that meets community needs, yet allows students to integrate their interests, career explorations, abilities and academic program. Students will be expected to submit a proposal that is evaluated by other students and adults, and stick to a timeline for implementation. Activities will include participation in an actual CSL field experience several times per week and a presentation of his/her CSL work at the end of the semester before a panel consisting of students, faculty, and community members.
Students may also choose to enroll in CSL for a grade with permission of the CSL director prior to enrollment.
Currently, students use their own vehicles or walk to their external CSL placement. Students who cannot obtain transportation will be able to serve within the school.
Ultimately, your child is responsible for meeting the requirements. CSL personnel, however, will help by providing opportunities for students to engage in service in the school through classroom-based projects, through school-sponsored extracurricular activities, accepting service performed at outside organizations, and by keeping a cumulative record of students’ service.
Each student receives a CSL Planning and Assessment Portfolio that includes the student, parent or guardian, and site supervisor responsibilities; liability forms for signature, a preparation outline designed to determine and measure goals; a series of questions that require the student to reflect on the CSL experience; a self assessment worksheet that is also used as an evaluation tool by site supervisors, and a calendar of important dates for CSL.
The CSL program operates mainly on a pass/fail grading system. To receive a passing grade, a student must:
- Attend all CSL orientation and training sessions;
- Comply with the standards of individual CSL sites and the site supervisors;
- Complete all paperwork connected to the CSL program;
- Attend the CSL Roundtable Session at the close of each term;
- Exhibit a positive attitude and be responsible in regard to the expectations of site supervisors:
- Maintain an acceptable attendance record. Students are expected to comply with the stated wishes of CSL site supervisors with regard to what constitutes acceptable attendance. In general, the CSL program permits three excused absences. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his/her site supervisor and the CSL staff in advance. In the case of sickness, emergency, school events, etc., the student is responsible for contacting the site supervisor and the CSL staff.
It is important for students and their families to recognize that the expectations for students in CSL placements will be more rigorous than the district policies that govern attendance and behavior. Community service learning students are in a unique position to receive valuable skills and knowledge in real life settings. However, such opportunities are accompanied by real life expectations. Students and their families are asked to recognize and consider these factors.
There are a wide range of CSL placements available. The following organizations have participated in the CSL program:
- Aldrich Library
- Barre City Police Department
- Barre City Elementary and Middle School
- Barre Town Elementary and Middle School
- Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Central Vermont Humane Society
- Central Vermont RSVP
- Choice Physical Therapy
- Health and Wellness Clinic
- Highgate Community Center
- Lincoln House
- March of Dimes
- Neighbor to Neighbor
- New Directions for Barre
- Orange Center School
- Project Independence
- Studio Place Arts
- Spaulding High School and Barre Technical Center Campus
- St. Monica’s School
- Times Argus
- Vermont Council on Aging
- Vermont Food Bank
- Vermont History Center
- Washington Village School
- Washington World
