Brief Explanation:

(Acrobat PDF)
Authorization for Student Participation in Service Learning
Driving Policy

Service learning is a teaching strategy that promotes student service in the community. It allows the teacher to integrate that service naturally within the academic curriculum and foster the development of lifelong commitment to service in the community. Community service is different from service learning; it does not integrate the service into the classroom curriculum. Over the last seven years, the district’s service learning program, "LEARN & SERVE San Diego," has experienced growth. Because of this expansion, certain procedures have been revised. These revisions build on the district policy that was originally approved by the Board of Education in 1995. In order to further support our initiative, a referral system has been developed to assist teachers and students in making service site choices.

Parents/Guardians must be made aware of all service learning and community service activities in which their child will be participating.

Service learning/community service authorization procedure:

1. All service sites (except San Diego City Schools sites) must be approved through the Volunteer Center of San Diego County:

• A student or teacher selects an organization listed in the "2000-2001 Guide to Youth Volunteer Opportunities" and notes the page number on which the organization is found in the top right corner of the Authorization for Student Participation in Service Learning form.

• If service is occurring on campus or at a San Diego City Schools site (whereby students are traveling from one school to another), the tracking number and page number is not required. Place the name of the site on the Authorization for Student Participation in Service Learning form.

• If a placement cannot be found through the "Guide…", call the Volunteer Center of San Diego County at (858) 636-4131, and a referral and tracking code will be given. This number is entered in the top right corner of the Authorization for Student Participation in Service Learning form.
   

• Monthly reports generated by the Volunteer Center of San Diego County will be sent to teachers of all referred students. Placements and tracking codes can be verified by teachers against these monthly reports.

3. Parent/guardian permission must be obtained for the student to leave campus during school hours (regardless of whether a school employee will or will not be accompanying the student).

4. The student must also obtain permission from teachers of classes that will be missed because of the service learning or community service experience.

Attached is the revised copy of the Authorization for Student Participation in Service Learning form. Use this form in place of a regular field trip permission slip. The attached form may be duplicated as needed. If you have questions, contact