Silver Cord Program – AHS
Purpose of Program: To promote volunteerism and to encourage students to take part in their community, students may earn a Silver Service Cord to be worn on their gown at graduation, which indicates significant hours of volunteer service during their enrollment at Anamosa High School.
Silver Cord Guidelines: From the summer before the students’ Freshman Year to the final month of the year they graduate, students who earn a total of 120 hours of service earn a silver cord. Students are encouraged to average 30 hours of service per year.
Special consideration may be given to students who move into the district after beginning their high school career or for other special circumstances.
Volunteer Information: Volunteer Opportunities are posted on the Silver Cord Google Site as they become available. Students are encouraged to search out their own opportunities within the community, their church, and their passions. Students document their hours using the Google Form, they will then be approved, documented, and tabulated. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of approved hours.
Documentation: Hours must be tracked and submitted within a month of their completion date. You must have contact information of your direct supervisor for the hours complete. Parents/Guardians should not complete documentation unless previously arranged. Students should be completing the form and their own reflection. Hours should be turned in immediately after the activity, but will be accepted up to one month after the activity. You submit hours on the Silver Cord Service Completion Form which is linked here and also on the Silver Cord Google Site.
What Counts: Any service (volunteer, not for pay) performed within the Anamosa Community School District communities or within our greater “global” community. Any activity posted on the Silver Cord Google Classroom, announcements, or in AHS Publications. If you have any concerns about your hours you should email the Silver Cord Advisor to get prior approval.
What Does Not Count: Court-ordered community service, practicums/internships, job shadows, any work done for school credit. No work for relatives, any work done for pay. No unsupervised work.
Why participate in Silver Cord?
- We all have a responsibility to contribute to the common good and do our part to help make the world a better place.
- Giving of ourselves and serving others helps us feel more positive about ourselves, a feeling of “I am making a difference”.
- Having a record of participating in community service enhances your chances of qualifying for college scholarships.
- Listing a participation in community service on your resume says something about your character and makes your resume stand out from others and increases your chance of getting called in for an interview.
- Participating in a variety of community service projects can be a great way to explore potential future careers to see if they are a good fit for you.
- Participation can be a good way to make new friends.
- The networking that takes place during service work could potentially lead to a future job.
Current Silver Cord Advisor: Mrs. Melissa Kane mkane@anamosa.k12.ia.us
