How to get your SSL hours - Best practices
- BEFORE YOU BEGIN SERVICE, MAKE SURE THE ORGANIZATION IS PREAPPROVED OR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: Just because a student volunteers their time, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily count as service towards SSL hours. They may NOT serve at a for-profit company (unless it is a nursing home or retirement community) and they must complete the pre-approval form (560-50) for any organization not on the approved list (found here). See the MCPS website for further clarification. http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/
- INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION ON YOUR VERIFICATION FORM (560-51): All student information must be included, especially the student’s school ID # and the student must type or write legibly.
- NO ABBREVIATIONS: Organization names need to be written out and make sure you are using the parent organization name. For example, if you worked at a summer camp, do not put "Summer Camp" but put the organization such as "St. Patrick's Catholic Church Summer Camp"
- WRITE YOUR REFLECTION: If the reflection piece is not completed, the form will be returned.
- RECORD PROPER DATES AND HOURS: Service information needs to be completed correctly, including the number of days, hours and dates. Students cannot serve more than eight hours per day and can only serve outside school hours.
- COMPLETE THE ORGANIZATION INFORMATION: The entire organization section has to be completed even if the student attaches something from the organization. You may staple documents from the organization which prove your service, however, you still need to complete the organization section on the verification form.
- GET FORMS IN BY THE DEADLINE: The deadline is firm. Really. I'm not kidding. Forms turned in after 3PM on the due date will NOT be accepted. Forms from an earlier time (last summer, last school year) will also not be accepted. Students MUST follow deadlines or their hours will not be recorded. Deadlines can be found:
- On the top of the verification form (560-51)
- On the Montgomery County website.
- On this website (under page "Contact and Deadlines")
- On the morning announcements two weeks prior to the deadline.
- On Twitter (@WoottonSSL)
- TURN FORMS IN TO THE CORRECT PLACE: All forms need to be turned in to the red box in the main office. Electronic/faxed/scanned copies cannot be accepted. Mrs. Stroot is not responsible for forms turned in or left anywhere else!