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September 9, 2003


COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THE BEACON SCHOOL


How does the Community Service Program work?
Every 10th grader (15-16year olds) at the Beacon School takes the Community Service class in either the Fall or Spring
semester. We try to provide internships that are educational for students and at the same time meaningful for the
community. Beacon students reflect on their experience in written journals and in a weekly classroom seminar.

Beacon students are expected to work five hours per week over a semester (about four months) in a site that they
select. Students may negotiate any work schedule that is convenient to themselves and their community service site. A
total of 50 hours is required for passing credit in the course. Students who complete 75 hours are eligible for
"Honors" credit.

Students in Community Service meet weekly in a seminar to reflect on their community service work and to explore
related social issues. Students are responsible for writing a weekly guided journal entry that is submitted to their
community service teacher.

How is Community Service evaluated?
Students receive a letter grade in Community Service based on the following criteria:
· regular service in their site and completion of a minimum of 50 hours.
· evaluation by the on-site supervisor.
· weekly journal reflections on their experience.
· participation in the weekly classroom seminar.
· completion of a project based on Community Service.

How do students apply for their Community Service Internships?
Students select their sites from a booklet of sites provided by the Beacon School or from Beacon web page at under
"School Projects." Students are expected to set up interviews with their site supervisors in the last week in
September and to begin their placements in the first week in October. Students are expected to dress appropriately and
bring a resume to the interview.

Site supervisors should contact the Beacon School after the interview to let us know if the candidate is accepted for
the position. Some sites may be contacted by more than one student and it is up to the supervisor to select his/her
preferred number of interns.

In any given semester, it is possible that no interns will select a particular site.

What is expected of Community Service Interns?
Interns are expected to be cooperative and diligent in carrying out their internships. They are expected to be
punctual and to call their site supervisor ahead of time if they will be absent from their assigned schedule. They are
encouraged to take the initiative to learn as much as possible about their site.

Interns are expected to speak to their site supervisors if any problem arises.

What is expected of site supervisors?
We ask that supervisors provide interesting and educational work for the interns over the duration of the internship.
Our interns need to know to whom they should report problems or questions. They should also know whom to call if they
will be absent.

We ask that supervisors sign a weekly time sheet that records the student’s work hours, and write an evaluation of
the student at the end of the semester. We also ask that site supervisors contact the Beacon School Community Service
Office if there are problems with particular interns so that we can attempt to resolve the problem.

What is the role of the Community Service staff?
The Community Service Program is coordinated by Bayard Faithfull, Nathan Turner, Tara Rana, and Jodie Barnhart.
Community Service teachers call site supervisors regularly and attempt to visit every site at least once per semester
in order to gain a better understanding of the work that Beacon students are doing.



FALL 2003 SCHEDULE

September22 - Community Service Fair in the Drama Studio

September 29 - Interns begin their placements.

January 5 (week of) - Last classes; all journals, time sheets, and final assignment are due

January TBA - Community Service Awards Ceremony