The School's community service programs remain popular and active, with some great options now available for the academic year 2011-12. Please visit the Community Service intranet page for the latest news on current service-related activities.
The Service Requirement
The School maintains a 10-hour community service requirement for all students in Form IV. This program provides a window on existing volunteer work and includes some classroom reflection on the role of service to the community. Independent projects are accepted in fulfillment of the requirement - students can be creative, take some initiative, and put together their own volunteer project or work with friends. The direct service element of the requirement may now be completed in either Form III or Form IV, as best fits a student's schedule. Click here for more information on the requirement.
Service Internships
The School also continues to have outstanding opportunities available to all students interested in community service. As an afternoon co-curricular option, students may pursue an internship in community service, contributing their talents to local agencies as they learn. Students may create their own program or join ongoing partnerships.
The Appalachia Service Project
The Appalachia Service Project has taken place at Portsmouth Abbey for 17 years, when a group of Portsmouth Abbey sudents and chaperones travels during spring break every March to a remote region of Appalachia, where, working in teams, they help restore, renovate and repair the homes of the underprivileged. Students are currently gearing up for the 2012 March trip to Kentucky. Fundraising activities for the beginning of the 2011-12 school year include a bake sale and raffle, to be held under the tent at the football game on Reunion Weekend (September 23-25). For a report and photos of the 2011 Appalachia Service Project, click here.
Information on all of these programs and other volunteer options is available by contacting Therese Thomas, Director of Christian Community Service, at 401/643-1357; or at communityservice@portsmouthabbey.org.
