Should Students be required to perform "Community Service"?

[OceanAnnie]

I'm sorry. You want to contort an issue to fit a pattern that does not exist.

We will not see eye to eye on this issue. I will agree to disagree with you.

 

[Imagineer7]

I'm sorry. You want to contort an issue to fit a pattern that does not exist.

We will not see eye to eye on this issue. I will agree to disagree with you.

Fine with me. Your kids can home and play video games. Mine will go volunteer at the hospital and help people. Best of luck to ya.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Fine with me. Your kids can home and play video games. Mine will go volunteer at the hospital. Best of luck to ya.

Nice try. We don't have an issue with volunteering.

But good luck to you as well.

 

[castleview]

We have it here along with a Senior Service project and I don't mind it. But for most students, it is just a nuisance and they will find the lamest things to get their requirements in. The Senior Project is the biggest joke - while some kids take advantage of it and organize some very cool things, others just stick a collection box outside a store or have a relative sign off on something no one can confirm.

However, I also feel if it weren't a requirement, there wouldn't be the volunteer opportunities around for the kids that actually WANT to do community service but are too shy.

 

[Charade]

We have it here along with a Senior Service project and I don't mind it. But for most students, it is just a nuisance and they will find the lamest things to get their requirements in. The Senior Project is the biggest joke - while some kids take advantage of it and organize some very cool things, others just stick a collection box outside a store or have a relative sign off on something no one can confirm.

However, I also feel if it weren't a requirement, there wouldn't be the volunteer opportunities around for the kids that actually WANT to do community service but are too shy.

Sounds like it's mostly a waste of time and money. It would probably be more effective if the resources spent making all the kids "volunteer" were directed to those that really want to (and the recipients of their services).

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Please it isn't the same at all and you know it. Let me know when you have to work with a volunteer who has no desire to be there.

That's easy. I got plenty of those during Disney's Give a Day Get a Day. I just didn't let them volunteer. So sorry, too bad so sad, we just don't have any opportunities for someone who wants me to sign off and commit FRAUD when you didn't do anything but want me to give you something because your sister-in-law's-first-cousin actually does volunteer with us.

With teenagers, for a class? You send them home with a smile "I get that you don't want to be here. Tell you what, I'll tell your folks you just weren't any good at this. You can find another opportunity that suits you better. 'kay, thanks!" And send them off without their form signed or signed for the 30 minutes they were painful to have around.

See, that's the thing. They're not OUR kids. We don't have to have them around when they're being pains. We can (and will) tell them to shove off. In the nicest way possible, of course.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

That's easy. I got plenty of those during Disney's Give a Day Get a Day. I just didn't let them volunteer. So sorry, too bad so sad, we just don't have any opportunities for someone who wants me to sign off and commit FRAUD when you didn't do anything but want me to give you something because your sister-in-law's-first-cousin actually does volunteer with us.

With teenagers, for a class? You send them home with a smile "I get that you don't want to be here. Tell you what, I'll tell your folks you just weren't any good at this. You can find another opportunity that suits you better. 'kay, thanks!" And send them off without their form signed or signed for the 30 minutes they were painful to have around.

See, that's the thing. They're not OUR kids. We don't have to have them around when they're being pains. We can (and will) tell them to shove off. In the nicest way possible, of course.

And in an ideal world, that's the point. Ideally kids doing CS will get feedback about their behavior. Community Service isn't about kids helping the community. Sometimes it works that way, but that isn't the point. It's about kids learning about/from the community. That's why many schools call it "Student Service Learning", because the emphasis is on what the kids should be learning, not on what they're giving.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

We have it here along with a Senior Service project and I don't mind it. But for most students, it is just a nuisance and they will find the lamest things to get their requirements in. The Senior Project is the biggest joke - while some kids take advantage of it and organize some very cool things, others just stick a collection box outside a store or have a relative sign off on something no one can confirm.
However, I also feel if it weren't a requirement, there wouldn't be the volunteer opportunities around for the kids that actually WANT to do community service but are too shy.

This is why some schools that require community service have approved lists - these organizations have submitted requests and proven that they're going to get the kids to do good, honest labor for the betterment of their community.

 

[Becky2005]

A huge, emphatic, NO!

I first heard of such a concept on these very boards. I was absolutely floored they could force such a thing only to find out they do just that here too!!

I view forced "community service" as a punishment and not appropriate for kids in school. If they want to have a community service CLASS where the school arranges everything and it is done during school hours, I could live with that. But to put the onus on already busy kids to find a place to volunteer, get themselves there and back, etc. is way out of line IMNSHO.

If people WANT to volunteer? More power to them. But it should not be forced. That is called work. And students shouldn't have to work for free or not graduate.

Around here there are very few places kids can volunteer at really, most of them you have to be at least 16+ and/or take classes to volunteer and it's basically a lot of work to do. We have a lot that specifically say they are not set-up to be used to fill school volunteer requirement hours. I know my DD volunteered at the animal shelter and she could only socialize with the cats, there were restricted hours they could be at the shelter, she had to take an orientation class AND then shadow someone before she could even come play with the cats. You have to be 16 to walk the dogs and then there are restrictions on that too.

Luckily, it's not a requirement here to volunteer. They do have a program where if you do 50+ hours for all 4 years you get recognized. DD did enough her first 2 years & I'm pretty sure she put in her 50 hours Junior year but she didn't get the paperwork filled out because getting eveything verified is a pain here (when she volunteers at the shelter, they have a sign in/out system and the volunteer coordinator isn't usually there when she is to sign off on any such sheet).

I don't know -- everytime I hear of REQUIRING Community Service I think of someone in trouble with the law and they are having to do community service to pay for a crime.

 

[Pigeon]

If you're going to take the line of thought young people shouldn't be forced to volunteer, then they shouldn't be forced to do anything.

1) They shouldn't be forced by their parents to go to church. They should have the liberty to choose.
2) They shouldn't be forced to get summer jobs during high school. They should have the liberty to choose.
3) They shouldn't be forced to do chores around the house. They should have the liberty to choose.

Or let me guess what you will say.. each parent gets to decide what to force their children to do. So when it benefits the parents, they will force the children to do whatever. But when it benefits society at large, how dare they!! Oh the outrage.

I absolutely believe young people should not be forced to go to church. I think it accomplishes nothing but breeding resentment. If my parents hadn't forced their religion down my throat, I'd still be an atheist, but I'd probably have more respect for their religion than I do now.

But as for all of your choices, the point is that they are family decisions. The school doesn't mandate whether or not your kids have to do chores. The parents do. Community servitude should also be an individual family choice.

 

[luvmy3]

If you're going to take the line of thought young people shouldn't be forced to volunteer, then they shouldn't be forced to do anything.

1) They shouldn't be forced by their parents to go to church. They should have the liberty to choose.
2) They shouldn't be forced to get summer jobs during high school. They should have the liberty to choose.
3) They shouldn't be forced to do chores around the house. They should have the liberty to choose.

Or let me guess what you will say.. each parent gets to decide what to force their children to do. So when it benefits the parents, they will force the children to do whatever. But when it benefits society at large, how dare they!! Oh the outrage.

You really are missing the point, this has nothing to do with "not wanting (our) kid's to do something for society". You accused a pp of being obtuse, but where I'm sitting, you are the one being so.

 

[Imagineer7]

You really are missing the point, this has nothing to do with "not wanting (our) kid's to do something for society". You accused a pp of being obtuse, but where I'm sitting, you are the one being so.

Bottom line is that if public schools wanted to institute a community service requirement for graduation, they would be within their legal rights to do so. And I would stand up and commend them for it. About time the young generation gives back instead of just taking.

 

[jrmasm]

Bottom line is that if public schools wanted to institute a community service requirement for graduation, they would be within their legal rights to do so. And I would stand up and commend them for it. About time the young generation gives back instead of just taking.

Don't assume that if the school doesn't mandate it that kids aren't volunteering.

 

[luvmy3]

Bottom line is that if public schools wanted to institute a community service requirement for graduation, they would be within their legal rights to do so. And I would stand up and commend them for it. About time the young generation gives back instead of just taking.

No, the bottom line is that you still don't seem to get it. Here's a hint, we parents are perfectly capable of raising kids to be productive members of society without the school's interference. Maybe you need it for your family and that is why you feel so strongly, but my kids have learned the value of hardwork and volunteerism through my example.

 

[Imagineer7]

Don't assume that if the school doesn't mandate it that kids aren't volunteering.

Most aren't.

 

[Imagineer7]

No, the bottom line is that you still don't seem to get it.

I get it clearly, I think it's you who refuses to understand that if a school decides to institute this policy, your kids will be at the food bank getting their hours done.

 

[luvmy3]

I get it clearly, I think it's you who refuses to understand that if a school decides to institute this policy, your kids will be at the food bank getting their hours done.

No, I understand that perfectly, however I'm arguing that they are overstepping their authority when they force kid's to volunteer, and as of 2011 my school district still agrees

 

[luvmy3]

Most aren't.

So what if they aren't, still not the school's job to force them to.

 

[jrmasm]

Most aren't.

What's your point?

The school forcing kids to go to the food bank doesn't magically make them volunteers for life. The volunteers for life are the ones who WANT to be there.

 

[DefLepard]

Yeah this is a good idea for a teen

Force a teen to volunteer ....

What would that accomplish??????????????????

Nothing but resentment