Service Program

All students of Archbishop Shaw High School are required to study the Gospel and to consider seriously what effects it should have upon their daily lives. An important aspect of the Gospel is the care and concern that we each should have for our brothers and sisters. We are each gifted with unique talents and we have the obligation to share those talents with others. In recognition of this need, service projects are mandatory for all students at each grade level. Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least 5 service hours during the summer, and it is preferable if all service hours are completed before the school year begins. At least 5 service hours must be completed at a non-profit, charitable organization, excluding Archbishop Shaw High School.

  • Eighth grade students will participate in a service project that totals five (5) hours.
  • Ninth grade students will participate in a service project that totals ten (10) hours.
  • Tenth grade students will participate in a service project that totals fifteen (15) hours.
  • Eleventh grade students will participate in a service project that totals twenty-five (25) hours.
  • Twelfth grade students will participate in a service project that totals twenty (20) hours.

Service Projects are performed for a non-profit, charitable organization that are aligned with our Catholic Christian values. Projects are verified via MobileServe and must include the following:

  • The name of the organization (written in the Service org field).
  • A detailed description of your service work (written in the Tell Your Story field):
    • State your activity: Clearly describe what you did. For example, "Volunteered at a food bank" or "Tutored ESL students during the summer."
    • Mention the organization: Describe its mission as a non-profit, charitable organization that is aligned with our Catholic Christian values and its goals.
    • Highlight Your Role: Briefly explain your specific contribution, e.g., "Sorted and packed food donations" or "Read storybooks to help improve English skills."
    • Include Impact or Outcome: If possible, mention the impact, e.g., "Served meals to 50 families" or "Assisted 10 students with ESL skills."
    • Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-4 sentences. Avoid vague terms like "helped out" without context.
  • A supervisor’s name and email address: The supervisor is the person who directly oversaw or managed your volunteer work. This could be an event organizer, staff member, or volunteer coordinator who can confirm your participation and hours. supervisors will receive an email from MobileServe asking them to review the information and either approve or reject the submitted log. Note: rejection from the supervisor does not imply that your log isn’t verified, but it helps us to confirm the information you’ve submitted is accurate. Supervisors have the opportunity to provide feedback if they reject logs.
  • Add photos: When submitting service hours, students may attach up to three (3) photos to document their work. Follow these guidelines to ensure photos are appropriate and comply with service organization rules:
    • Types of photos: illustrative (showing the service activity), location (an image of the service site), or of documentation (such as a verification letter).
    • Respect organization rules: Confirm with the organization whether photos are permitted. Some organizations prohibit photos due to privacy or safety concerns.
    • Content guidelines:
      • Ensure the photos are relevant to the service activity and appropriate for submission.
      • Avoid including identifiable faces of other people unless you have their permission.
      • Do not include selfies or unrelated personal photos.
  • Verification letter (optional): Some organizations will provide you with a letter to verify your work. These should be attached via a photo in MobileServe log and include the following:
    • It is written on stationery with the letterhead of the non-profit, charitable organization or the Shaw Service Hour Form (if you are uncertain if the work will qualify, get approval from the service hours coordinator before doing the work)
    • It includes a supervisor’s name, address and a contact number associated with the organization (no personal cell phone numbers).
    • It includes the student’s name and what was done for the projects
    • It includes the number of service hours completed

Service projects may only be completed with a non-profit, charitable organization that is aligned with our Catholic Christian values; it is not simply work done without pay. It is done for an organization that is charitable in nature and does not seek to make a profit. Assistance to individuals or family members is not eligible for service projects. Assistance to a business is not eligible for service projects.

The following deadlines are established to encourage students to keep up with their service program obligations and to make it easier for them to retrieve the necessary documentation from the non-profit, charitable organizations.

  • Service hours completed between May 31st, and August 1st, must be turned in by August 31st.
  • Services hours completed during the first semester must be turned in by January 31st.
  • Ultimately, each student must have completed his service hours prior to taking his Theology exam.
  • Seniors must have completed his service hours prior to the 4th quarter progress report. Any senior who fails to meet this deadline will lose his exemption from all of his exams. This may result in the inability to participate in graduation activities.
    • Failure to complete all service project hours prior to the scheduled Theology exam date will result in a zero on the Theology exam which may impact passing the course.