Service Learning

Service Hours are a graduation requirement for all Lake Orion High School students earning a diploma.

• In Order to Walk at Graduation: All Service Hours, along with a completed reflection for each event, must be submitted through each student’s x2VOL account no later than the Friday after Spring Break of your senior year, which is April 5, 2024 for the 2023-24 school year. For 3rd quarter graduates, hours are due the Friday after Winter Break, which is February 23, 2024 for the 2023-24 school year.  For 2nd quarter graduates, hours are due before Holiday Break, December 15, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year.
• In Order to Receive a Diploma, but not walk at Graduation: All Service hours, along with a completed reflection for each event, must be submitted through each student’s x2VOL account no later than the last school day of May of your senior year.

 

Requirements for Graduation
Students MUST choose one of the following two options:

Option 1. Basic Requirement:

• Complete 20 service hours at approved locations or activities throughout your 4 years as a student at Lake Orion High School.
• Submit activity information, contact information and a valid reflection for each volunteer experience through your x2VOL account.
• All hours must be verified by a supervisor or coordinator of the activity or event.
• Hours will be applied to your account balance once your participation is verified and a valid reflection is approved.

**Prorating of Service Hours: Students transferring to Lake Orion High School will have a prorated Service Learning requirement. Students must complete 5 hours for each year (or partial year) that they attend Lake Orion High School.

Option 2. Alternative Essay:

In lieu of completing 20 service hours, a student may elect to complete an alternative essay. If a student elects this option, a Service Learning Essay request MUST be submitted in writing, to ServiceLearning@lok12.org.  The portal for submitting the essay will open on the Friday before Winter Break. 

 

PLEASE NOTE, YOU ARE REGISTERED WITH YOUR LOCS SCHOOL ID AND LOHS EMAIL ADDRESS

Incoming Freshmen may register and begin accumulating hours the day AFTER the last day of 8th grade. A letter with registration instructions will be emailed to LOCS students and their parents/guardians the last week of 8th grade. 

TO CREATE YOUR X2VOL ACCOUNT-

PLEASE NOTE, YOU MUST LOG IN WITH YOUR LOCS SCHOOL ID AND EMAIL ADDRESS

How To – Student Login

 1.       Go to www.x2VOL.com and click JOIN.

 2.       Click “Complete Registration” button.

3.       Type in zip code (48360) and select Search, click LAKE ORION HIGH SCHOOL..

4.       Type in your Last Name and Student ID.

5.       Enter the remaining profile fields and click proceed. Please use your name as listed in Powerschool. 

6.       Set a password, select your group and check the TWO “I understand” required boxes to complete your registration.

7.       Log in and view your Dashboard.

8.       If done correctly, a box will pop up saying activation successful.

 

June 5, 2023

Dear Class of 2027 LOHS Dragon:

20 Service Learning Hours are a graduation requirement for all Lake Orion High School students. 

Service learning teaches you how to interact in real life settings using the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom.  Below is a comment shared by a 2023 Senior student on the benefits of Service Learning:

"By giving up a couple hours to volunteer, you are not only making a big difference in someone else’s life, but you will also create a positive awareness in yourself and it will make you feel happy. You are also learning a lot of valuable skills needed in the future for jobs, life, friends and family. It also opens you up to more people in the community you may have never even knew existed and they can become your best friend. Much more comes from putting yourself out there and helping and volunteering around your community."

Service hours are submitted through an online portal called “x2VOL”.  It enables you to enter service hours, look for volunteer opportunities, sign up, write a valid reflection and receive contact verification, all in one convenient location. You do NOT log any service hours on paper at the high school.

Registration information will be uploaded into the x2VOL system this summer and you may begin accumulating service hours as soon as the first day AFTER completing 8^th grade, which this year is June 10.  It is your responsibility to finalize the registration of your account.  Any summer hours earned MUST be entered by September 30 of the current school year and ALL hours earned during a school year must be entered within 30 days of completing the activity. 

Complete directions for creating an x2VOL account and entering a service hour submission can be found on the school website at Service Hours - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)  Please use a laptop or desktop when accessing x2VOL as opposed to your phone, as it will give a more thorough view of the website.

As a LOHS Dragon, you will receive monthly emails with local events seeking volunteers and the email will be posted on the LOHS Career Center webpage and Facebook page for parents and guardians to view.  Opportunities will be announced on LOAM news, posted on the Career Center bulletin board and various flyers throughout the school during the year. 

If you have an idea of a service project that is not listed, please stop by the Career Center BEFORE serving or read through ALL the “Rules and Regulations of Hours” section on the Service Learning page of the school website.

Summer Opportunities for 2023 will be posted on the Service Learning link on the school website Service Hours - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org).  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the tab for the letter that will be sent to all current students at the end of the school year.

If you have any questions, please email ServiceLearning@lok12.org.  

 

Activity: Name of the non profit organization or location that you volunteered

Description: The event that you participated in and share/describe what you did 
**If you participated at the same organization for multiple times, you may list all dates and times in this section as well. BUT, make sure to submit the opportunity every 30 days

Contact: Name AND email address of the supervisor who will verify your time and participation.
**Make sure you have a valid email address, that you enter the email address correctly and that your contact knows they will be receiving an email from VOLUNTEER VERIFICATION/ x2VOL, not LOHS. Logging correct information is the ONLY way you will receive credit for your hours! x2VOL NEVER calls a contact.  You MUST enter a valid email address for hours to be verified!

Notes:
* If any of the above is incorrect or incomplete, your submission may be denied.
* If your submission is denied, please long into your x2VOL account, click the Activity Log and then the "Edit Entry" button on the denied claim.  Scroll down to the Comments area for why it was denied and how to resubmit, if possible.  
* If a denial is received, most of the time a correction needs to be made and the submission can be resubmitted.
* Not getting paid for your time/work does not automatically mean the event qualifies for Service Hours. Make sure you are submitting hours for non-profit organizations and/or non-profit events.

 

 

• Student volunteer hours MUST benefit the community - not a business or other for-profit organization.

• Volunteering for family members, friends, neighbors, etc. does not count towards the service hour requirement. 

• All hours must be completed through non-profit organizations or events that benefit the community.

• Babysitting and animal care does not count as service hours.

• Service hours should focus on making a positive impact on others.

• Hours must be submitted through x2VOL within 30 days of when the event/activity takes place.  Any ongoing event, MUST be submitted every 30 days. 

• Hours completed during the summer must be submitted by September 30th of the fall school year.

• Students may begin accumulating service hours as soon as the first day after they have completed 8^th grade.   

• If hours take place over multiple days, please list the days and times in the description area of the submission.

• Make sure to read the requirements for the reflection of your submission and complete it thoroughly for each entry.

• Once a student submits an entry, an email will be automatically generated and sent to the contact for verification.  It is the student's responsibility to follow up for verification.

• Hours that have been done for another organization's requirement (court mandated hours, NHS, Leadership, Boy Scouts Eagle Badge, etc.) cannot count towards your graduation requirement – No Double Dipping!

• ALL Fundraising events for your group, team or organization do not count for Service Hours.

• Performances, practices and private lessons do not count for Service Hours.
• The donation of baked goods or other food items DOES NOT count for service hours.

• Not getting paid does not automatically mean Service Hours. You cannot volunteer for a company that is a profitable organization and refuse to be paid.

• Students cannot verify the participation of other students.

• Preapproved service project cards are permitted to be made with a ratio of 8 homemade cards for one hour of service per project. A maximum of one hour may be claimed per service project and a maximum of 5 hours may be claimed in card making over the four years at LOHS. 5 hours maximum per organization may be claimed for card making.

• Parents cannot verify their student's participation in a service activity.

• Students may NOT submit service hours that are obtained at school during a normal school day or as part of a school sponsored activity.

• Participating in a parade as a member of a group or team does NOT count for service hours, however, volunteering with the parade organization does.

• Club planning, activities and events you belong to at LOHS does NOT count for service.  That is part of being a member of an organization, not community service.

• Don’t limit yourself to just 1 or 2 events or activities. A variety of service experiences allow you to give back to your community, grow as an individual and have a positive influence on others.

• If a denial of hours is received, please read the comments/notes on the entry to know why and what (if anything) can be corrected for approval.

If your submission of hours is denied:

• Log in to your x2VOL account and select the Opportunities and Projects link and under that, the Activity Log (this is where you will see all of your entries)
• Click Edit Entry of the submission that was denied. (denied show a "0" in the "approved hours" section)
• Scroll down to the Comments section which notes the reason your submission was denied. Most of the time, only editing is needed.
• If editing is needed, make the changes, click save, scroll down to the end of the form, click the button that says this submission is true and click Submit again.
• Send an email to ServiceLearning@lok12.org that you changed your reflection so it can be reviewed. If you do not do this, your submission will not be approved.

Most common reasons for a submission being denied:

• The reflection, or lack of a reflection (editing needs to take place and the entry can be resubmitted)
• Hours were verified by another student or a parent (can be resubmitted with an adult contact at the location you served)
• Hours were submitted after the 30 day deadline (cannot be resubmitted)
• Hours were done for a business/profitable organization (cannot be resubmitted)
• Hours were done as part of a fundraiser that you receive monetary benefit from (cannot be resubmitted)
• Hours were done for a family member, friend, neighbor, etc. - something done for those listed above should be done out of compassion, not for service hours (cannot be resubmitted)

Questions about submissions and/or denials can be sent to servicelearning@lok12.org

Opportunities can be found in the x2VOL online portal.   Once you have logged into your account, click the GREEN "FIND OPPORTUNITIES" button to see all upcoming events and activities.

Events that occur during a certain month are both capitalized and bolded by month. 

VERIFIED hours - your contact person has verified your participation.

APPROVED hours - your hours have been approved and accepted by the school.

DENIED hours - something is wrong with the submission. Please refer to comment section of your entry for an explanation.

 

Earning Elective Credit - Optional 
In addition to the graduation requirement of 20 hours of service, a student may choose to continue to complete additional hours to earn elective high school credit.

A student may choose to earn ½ elective high school credit by completing 90 hours of service within a calendar year.  After ½ elective credit is earned, students may choose to complete this cycle one additional time to allow for a total of 1 elective high school credit. In addition, to be awarded credit, the student must fulfill the following requirements:

To Earn 1/2 Elective Credit

• The request to receive credit must be discussed with and approved by the Service Learning Coordinator and your counselor prior to starting the additional hours.
• 90 service hours (All 90 hours must be completed within one calendar year from the date the first service hour is completed).
• Submit the required activity information and reflection(s) to your x2VOL account for all 90 hours (this can be done as the hours are completed).
• When all of your hours are complete, submit a one page written reflection about your Service Learning experience to be reviewed by the LOHS Service Learning Board. You may be requested to meet with the members of the Service Learning Board if additional information is needed.
• After all of the above is completed and approved, the counseling office will be notified to award ½ credit for Service Learning to your transcript.

To Earn additional 1/2 Elective Credit (for a total of 1 Elective Credit)

• Once the initial 1/2 elective credit has been earned, students may apply to earn one additional ½ elective credit.  The process for the additional ½ credit will be the same process as the first ½ credit, with additional hours and an additional written reflection.

Students may earn a maximum of 1 elective credit with service hours throughout their Lake Orion High School career.

Alternative Assignment: Instructions for students electing this option

Requirements for completing / fulfilling any remaining service-learning hours with an essay / research paper: It is suggested that students wait until their Junior year before electing this option. However, the alternative assignment has always existed and will continue to be an option for our students to complete their graduation requirement. 

Students may write a research paper (rather than completing remaining service hours). For seniors, these essays are due on Friday, April 5, 2024. For 3rd quarter graduates, hours are due the Friday after Winter Break, which is February 23, 2024 for the 2023-24 school year.  For 2nd quarter graduates, hours are due before Holiday Break, December 15, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year. Turn It In is active in 2024.  All essay submissions will be submitted via Turnitin (plagiarism detection software). Any incidents with plagiarism /artificial intelligence (AI)/ academic misconduct will be subjected to the standards outlined in the LOHS Student Code of Conduct.

 

LOHS Service Learning Alternative Assignment
Number of Service Hours Remaining	Required Pages of Content
15 – 20.0	4 - 5 pages
10 – 14.9	3 - 4 pages
5.0 – 9.9	2 - 3 pages
0.1 – 4.9*	1 - 2 pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Paper Instructions

1.      Students must select a topic(s) identified in this document.

2.      Research paper will follow MLA guidelines.

3.      Formatting will include standard 1” margins, double-spaced, 12-point Calibri or Times New Roman font.

4.      To submit your paper: Log into your Turnitin account by going to your ONLINE Office 365.  
         (Directions to access TurnItIn)

5.      Click on the “Enroll in a Class” tab.

·        Class/section ID:  41835672

·        Enrollment key:   Service_2024

6.      In the  class / assignment, enter your name, and upload your essay. For the submission title, use your last name followed by “SL Essay” (Example: Everitt_SLEssay)

7.      Once the essay is submitted, you MUST send an email to ServiceLearning@lok12.org with your name in the Subject Line and well as SL Essay.  In the email, note that your essay was submitted and the date.

Guidance on writing your essay:

In general, students are instructed to write a research paper / essay relating to volunteerism, community engagement, philanthropy, etc.

Questions regarding the alternative assignment can be emailed to servicelearning@lok12.org

Students should spend some time organizing a topic and developing their essays. It is permissible for students to approach the research paper with a broad sense (incorporating a variety of the prompts identified below).

Below are some topics and / or guiding questions that might be helpful in organizing your research papers:

·        What are some benefits of volunteering in the local community?

·        Why is it important for schools (or colleges) to partner with the local community?

·        Give an example of an event (i.e. natural disaster) that relied upon or required community action.

Focus on an organization or non-profit entity that is involved with helping others in the community:

·        What is the history of this organization (How did it start? How did it grow?)

·        Describe their mission / purpose.

·        What sort of impact does the organization have on the community?

·        What sort of volunteer opportunities exist for people who are interested? How would one go about volunteering for this organization?

·        How has the organization been successful? What are some challenges?

For students who have completed some service learning – Write a more detailed reflection / essay:

·        What did you do?

·        What sort of impact did the work have? How was it beneficial?

·        Why was the work important?

·        What community service activity have you participated in that has meant the most to you? (Or had the greatest impact).

·        What is your favorite memory from performing community service?

·        Why did you choose this particular organization?

·        What made you decide to volunteer where you did?

·        How has your community service changed you?

·        How has your community service helped others?

·        How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

For students who are interested in a specific college or university (or have already been accepted):

·        What community service opportunities are available for students?

·        What are some student organizations on campus that are invested in the community?

·        As an incoming student, how might your involvement in volunteer opportunities benefit the community and how might volunteerism benefit you as an individual?

·        Describe some examples of ways that (insert name) partners with the local community.

·        How does the university support the community? How does the community support the school? 

TOPS SOCCER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS- 4/7 This opportunity is for helping young players with special needs learn to play soccer and improve skills.  Volunteers DO NOT need ANY soccer experience, just a fun and helpful attitude. The season begins Sunday, April 7 from 3-5pm and runs weekly through May. It is located at Simpson Park, 70199 Campground Rd in Romeo. Contact info in x2VOL.

LOHS SOCCER GAME BALL HANDLER- 4/12, 4/16, 4/19, 4/23, 4/30, 5/20  Ball handlers are needed for the LOHS girl's JV home games.  Responsibility includes chasing loose balls, passing them quickly to ref or player to keep up pace of play.  No experience necessary.  Arrive at 5.  Game will run until 7pm.  

ORION TWP LIBRARY- 4/13, 4/22 & 4/26 There are many fun Spring events at the Orion library. Help is needed at the 3D Star Lantern Program, Fairy Garden Craft and Wrapped Rainbow.  Log into x2VOL for dates, times and sign up information!

THERAPEUTIC REC BUDDY SOCCER LEAGUE-4/16-5/21 Volunteers are needed for the Therapeutic Recreation Buddy Soccer league, which is being a "buddy" to our soccer players who are elementary aged students with cognitive disabilities. No soccer experience is necessary and this is a really fun way to earn volunteer hours. Check out x2VOL for all information and sign up.

WALDON FRIENDS AND FUN NIGHT-4/19 Remember how much fun YOU had at Friends and Fun Night when you were in middle school? It is time to return that joy to the current students and volunteer at Waldon Middle School this Friday, April 19 from 6:30-9pm.  Help is needed playing cornhole, bingo, serving concessions, at coat check and playing games.  See the sign up genius in x2VOL.

THERAPEUTIC REC VOLUNTEER BINGO or PIZZA AND MOVIE- 4/19, 5/3 & 5/17 Friday night fun with Bingo, pizza and a movie! Help is needed with set up, tear down, check in, handing out food, watching a movie or playing bingo!  Many LOHS students who have volunteered in the past say it is the best night out and leave having had a great night with lots of fun! Sign up genius in x2VOL.

ORION GREEN UP AT THE ORION LIBRARY- 4/20 20 volunteers are needed to get the library and Polly Ann trail connector ready for spring! Rake up pine needles and pine cones, pick up branches and sticks and help with the overall clean-up and preparation of our library grounds and garden beds. Wear outdoor clothing and bring gloves if you have them! Sign up info in x2VOL!

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION - CLARKSTON- 4/20 Six volunteers are needed for an Earth Day Celebration at the Sashabaw Plains Park (5620 Maybee Rd, Clarkston) on Saturday, April 20 from 9:30-12:30pm.  Volunteers will assist with set up, facilitate activities and interact with participants and help with clean up.  It will be a fun day!  Sign up link in x2VOL.

PAINT CREEK ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW-4/25 Ten volunteers are needed to help at Paint Creek Elementary School's Talent Show from 5-8:30 pm. Volunteers will be responsible for serving concessions, assisting kids before they go onstage, breaking down the chairs and putting them away after the event and cleaning up.  Sign up contact in x2VOL.

LOHS SHREK MUSICAL USHER- 4/25, 26, 27 Ushers are needed for Shrek the Musical to help people find their reserved seats before the show. Students will be able to receive an hour of service and see the show for free. 6 ushers needed per night and PLEASE WEAR ALL BLACK! Please arrive April 25th, 26th, and 27th at 6pm and 11am on Saturday, April 27. You will receive training on the seating chart and be there when the doors open at 45 minutes to curtain. Check in with an adult in the lobby of the LOHS auditorium. 

PAINT CREEK ELEMENTARY OUTDOOR CLEAN UP- 4/26 Volunteer at your local elementary school on your day off! Join Paint Creek Elementary School, 2800 Indianwood, in the morning, cleaning outdoor garden beds, raking leaves, and improving the exterior of Paint Creek.  Arrive at 10:30 am and plan to stay until 1:30pm. Please bring gloves, garden spades and rakes.  There will be NO use of any restrooms. 

SCRIPPS MIDDLE SCHOOL OUTDOOR SPRING CLEAN UP- 4/26 Volunteer at your local middle school on your day off! Join Scripps Middle School in the afternoon cleaning outdoor garden beds, raking leaves, and improving the exterior of Scripps.  Arrive at 11 am and plan to stay until 2pm. Contact in x2VOL.

SPRING CLEANUP FOR SENIORS- 5/4 Join the Youth Advisory Council in helping the seniors in our community prepare their homes for summer by raking leaves, prepping flower beds and laying mulch.  Grab some friends and meet on Saturday, May 4 at 10am at Orion Twp Hall 2525 Joslyn Rd, Lake Orion.  You will need your own transportation, gloves, rakes and wear appropriate outdoor clothing and closed toe shoes. Sign up info in x2VOL. 

ORION LIBRARY PROGRAMS- 5/4 & 5/6 Fandom Fest and Outer Space Lego Building Program helpers are needed.  Dates and times are in x2VOL as well as contact info.

SPECIAL NEEDS PROM-5/10 This will be a great night and help is needed setting up, greeting guests, interacting, playing games, dancing and take down.  The party takes place at the Brady Lodge 6970 Andersonville Rd, Clarkston. Contact in x2VOL.

PINE TREE SOCIAL NIGHT- 5/10 10 Volunteers are needed to socialize, play games, dance and interact with the special needs students at Pine Tree Social Night at Pine Tree Center-  Many LOHS students say it is one of the most fun volunteer events! Arrive at 5pm to help set up and plan to stay until 8:30 to take down.  

ORION LIBRARY BOOK SALE- 5/11 & 5/18 The Friends of the Orion Library Book Sale needs many volunteers to make it a success.  Please note that you will be lifting boxes of books and pushing carts with boxes of books, so using your muscles will be necessary! Contact info in x2VOL.

GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP @ OAKLAND UNIVERSITY- 6/10-13 The Michigan PGA needs 30-40 volunteers at the Hall Financial Michigan Open Championship at Oakland University's Katke-Cousins Golf Course June 10-13. Volunteers will be responsible for course spotting, assisting in the scoring tent and other roles as needed.  Must sign up by MAY 13.  Contact info in x2VOL.

ORION ART AND FLOWER FAIR- 5/17-5/19 The Art and Flower Fair is an annual fun event in downtown LO that needs MANY volunteers to be a success.  Help is needed at the art crawl, loading and setting up tables, the hospitality tent, flower booths, entertainment garden, and take down.  See the sign up genius below for all available time slots and activities.  You will have LOTS of fun helping our community!  Sign up Genius in x2VOL. 

WEBBER FAMILY FUN NIGHT- 5/29 Ten volunteers are needed for the Webber Family Fun Night on Wednesday, May 29 from 4:00PM - 8:00PM, with the event running from 5:00 - 7:00PM. Volunteers will help with set-up/clean-up, assist the boosters in serving pizza dinner, dessert, running the games and inflatables for the kids, and generally helping for the event to run smoothly and be fun!  Contact in x2VOL. 

Students who achieve over 100 hours of service earn the Service Learning Medal and are recognized during the Department Awards.  All hours for consideration of the Service Medal hours are due by May 1 of a student's senior year.