Community Service

The goals of the Community Service program at SPSG are:

• To cultivate an awareness of human needs and differences that extend beyond the students' own school or home experiences
• To develop a moral sense of "giving back to the community"
• To experience hands-on outreach to human and environmental needs in our world
• To provide experiences for personal growth while helping others
• To develop a belief that change for the better is possible through individual and group efforts
• To encourage a personal pattern of service by developing an ability to organize time and talents
• To develop in each student a desire to serve the community and an ability to take pride in that service
• To help fulfill the needs of others

In the fall of 1987, the SGA voted to make service to the community a graduation requirement. In the past 14 years, the hours needed for graduation have risen from 40 to 60. The Service Leaders of each class and the Stewardship Council are responsible for validating the hours served by the members of the Upper School. They are also responsible for approving or refusing new avenues of service proposed to them. It is unique to SPSG that students created and help to guide the course of service programs.

Founded in the Episcopal tradition, St. Paul’s School for Girls embraces service and outreach as major components of its program and encourages all girls to participate. In the fall of 2006, the Stewardship Council, composed of students, faculty, alumnae, parents, and friends of the school, was created to better organize and structure all the many service opportunities and projects. The community service program, including the requirement for graduation, was incorporated under the umbrella of the Stewardship Council.

Graduation Requirements

• The community service graduation requirement is 60 hours.
• Students must step out of their "comfort zone" when volunteering. Singing in a church choir or working at schools are examples of projects that are NOT venues for community service hours.
• Of the required 60 hours, 40 hours must be completed within one agency or program and must be direct volunteer service. Direct volunteer service requires a hands-on, personal commitment to people who have a specific and often acute need. Examples would be volunteering in a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or hospital.
• Students automatically receive 40 hours of direct service if they participate in a Mississippi trip or a summer service program listed on the web at www.spsfg.org, under the "Outreach/Community Service" section.
• Up to 20 hours may be in indirect volunteer service. Indirect volunteer service supports those giving direct service. Raising funds, participating in walks, collecting canned goods, and stuffing envelopes are examples of indirect volunteer service.
• Direct / indirect volunteer service hours begin with the Class of 2011.
• Past hours earned by students in the Classes of 2008, 2009, and 2010 will be counted toward the 60-hour requirement.
• Going forward, ALL students must check the web at www.spsfg.org, "Outreach/Community Service," to see if their proposed projects are listed. If students discover that their proposed projects are not listed, they must contact the Chaplain’s office for approval. Hours will not be given for projects not listed on the web or not approved in advance, or community service projects for which the student was paid.
• Seniors must have completed the community service requirement to receive senior privileges when they go into effect.
• Juniors must complete ¾ of the community service requirement (45 hours) by January to run for a school-wide or class office.
• Visit the "Community Service" section of the web for details regarding community service and acceptable venues for service.
• Students must submit their hours, when completed, to Mrs. Sheri Reynolds, administrative assistant in the Upper School. They must also submit their personal reflection forms signed by their supervisors.