South Lewis High School

Distinguished Community Service Diploma (DCSD)

South Lewis High School offers recognition and a variety of incentives to encourage our students to perform volunteer community service.  The volunteer efforts of many of our students culminate on graduation day when they are recognized by receiving a Distinguished Community Service Diploma (DCSD).

Please click on the attachments below for more information.

Introducing … the South Lewis Distinguished Community Service Diploma

Rationale: South Lewis has many campus clubs and organizations, and we honor students for their academic, athletic, and fine arts involvement. However, apart from resumes and college admission essays, campus clubs that have a community service focus (SLSO, SAVE, YAC, NHS, FCCLA, FFA, among others) are not as readily recognized. With this South Lewis Distinguished Community Service Diploma, we will recognize South Lewis students for the many hours of community service which they already perform both in and out of school. 

 Overview of the Diploma: Students who receive this distinction will perform at least 150 hours of community service.  To work toward this award, students will do the following:

1. Log their hours on a service record, to be turned in each marking period
2. Perform at least 50 hours of the 150 total hours in some long-term service commitment (i.e. service to one or two organizations)
3. Serve hours at more than one organization over the course of the four years
4. Complete a culminating project at the end of each year.  This project should address what the student did and what he or she learned, and it may be written or artistic.

Hours for the current sophomores and juniors will be prorated.  Sophomores who complete at least 120 hours (40 long-term) and juniors who complete at least 80 hours (25 long-term) will qualify for the distinction.  The current Freshman class (Class of 2015) will need to complete 150 hours or more.

South Lewis has also become a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and our record of student hours can be used to award government medals for community service: BRONZE (100-174 hours); SILVER (175-249 hours); GOLD (250+ hours).

Logistics of the Program (FAQs):

Q: Where can I go to pick up a community service log?

A: Copies of front-to-back community service logs are outside Mrs. Grunert’s door (room 124); the form can always be downloaded from the website.

Q: When do I turn in the form, and to whom do I give it?

A: Turn in your service log by the end of the 9^th week of each MP to the Community Service mailbox in the HS Office.  This is located on the wall next to the student window of the HS Office. 

Q: If I am unsure if my anticipated community service appointment is appropriate, whom should I speak with?

A: See one of the members of the DCSD teacher advisory board: Mrs. Grunert, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Birgenheier, or Mrs. Burmingham.

Q: When is the culminating project due? To whom do I hand it in?

A: Seniors must turn in the culminating project and all logs by the 9^th week of the 3^rd MP. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen may still complete hours during the 4^th MP, and the due date for their culminating projects will be announced.  All culminating projects

Q: How will I know that the DCSD teacher advisory board received and logged my hours?

A: You will receive confirmation that your hours were recorded in either your English or Social Studies classroom.  See one of the teachers on the DCSD teacher advisory board should you not receive confirmation by the 1^st week of the new MP.