Student Community Service

Eligible Activities

Eligible Activities which take place in non-profit organizations, such as:

Fundraisers Canvassing, walk-a-thons, celebrity games, gift wrapping, gala events, famine week-ends, and sales
Sports/Recreation Coaching, track meets, summer games, working with a buddy, working at a recreation centre, score keeping and organizing Special Olympics
Community Helping to organize winter carnivals, parades, summer fairs
Community Projects Participating in food drives, support services for community groups, 4H Clubs, Welcome Wagon, Meals on Wheels St. Vincent de Paul and Food Banks
Environmental Projects Participating in community clean-up, flower/tree planting, recycling and beautification activities
Religious Activities Programming for children, child-minding, helping with Sunday School, special events, and clerical tasks, alter serving, music ministry, assisting with liturgy
Office and Clerical Reception, computer work, and mailings for volunteer/not-for-profit agencies
Youth Program Helping to run youth programs such as 4H, Scouts, Guides, drop-in-centres, breakfast, after school and March Break programs, Leaders in Training, Summer playground activities, and camps
Work with Animals Working with animal care in a non-profit organization
Arts and Culture Assisting at a gallery, performing music, involvement with a non-profit community theatre program, or involvement in a library program
Activities for Individuals
Assisting seniors shop, read prepare letters, shovel snow, rake leaves, garden, cut lawn, chronic care hospital visits or tutoring, transcribing, and/or reading buddies
School Community Programs
Helping out with a non-credit extracurricular activity such as: student governance, organizing school activities (i.e.: sports meets, music production, theatre production) and assisting in school activities (i.e.: ushering, parents night, fundraisers)

Notes:

  • Being a member of a committee, club or organization of itself is not an eligible activity, although services provided by that committee, club or activity may be eligible, if they meet the criteria stated.
  • Where an activity does not clearly fall within the guidelines, principals have the discretion to approve areas of involvement on a case-by case basis.
  • A principal is not obligated to approve an activity.

List of Activities that are Ineligible

Notes:

  • Student activities are not to displace paid workers.
  • Profit earning companies are not eligible placements.

The Ministry has developed a list of activities that may not be chosen as community involvement activities. These are referred to as ineligible activities. An ineligible activity is an activity that:

  • Is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g.: Cooperative Education, any portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience);
  • Takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during a student’s lunch breaks or “spare” period(s) is permissible;
  • Takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age;
  • Takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age;
  • Takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult;
  • Would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace;
  • Involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
  • Involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons;
  • Involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
  • Requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
  • Involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
  • Consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e.: daily chores) or personal recreation activities;
  • Construction before 16 years of age;
  • Involves the activities for a court-ordered program (i.e.: community service) program for young offenders, probationary program);
  • Involves simple membership in a school or community club;
  • Is part of a Community Service Day during regular scheduled class time.