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 in each student’s x2VOL account no later than the Friday after Spring Break of your senior year, which is April 10, 2026 for the 2025-26 school year. For 3rd quarter graduates, hours are due the Friday after Winter Break, which is February 20, 2026.  For 2nd quarter graduates, hours are due before Holiday Break, December 12, 2025.
• 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 in 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. Requirement:

• Complete 20 service hours at approved locations or activities throughout 4 years as a student at Lake Orion High School. Hours must be completed at a non-profit, 501C-3, or tax exempt organization. Organizations will be required to provide a copy of their tax exempt status to Lake Orion High School.
• Submit activity and contact information, with a valid reflection for each volunteer experience in the x2VOL account within 30 days of completing the event.
• All hours must be verified by an adult supervisor or coordinator of the activity or event.
• Hours will be applied to your account balance once participation is verified
• A valid reflection must be written and approved.  Reflections MUST include proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. Reflections are normally 4-5 complete sentences, including how you had the ability to impact the lives of others, as well as how your life may have been impacted. You may also include why you chose the opportunity, any skills that you used and/or gained through this experience or any additional information that you feel helps to explain your experience or the outcome of your time and effort..

**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 before November 1 of your Senior year.  You must also meet with the Service Learning Facilitator to discuss your essay topic.  The portal for submitting the essay will open on the Friday before Winter Break. 

 

June 9, 2025

Dear Class of 2029 LOHS Dragon:

20 Service Learning Hours are a graduation requirement for all Lake Orion High School students throughout your 4 years as a student at Lake Orion High School. Hours must be completed at a non-profit, 501C-3, or tax exempt organization. Organizations will be required to provide a copy of their tax exempt status to Lake Orion High School.

Service learning (volunteering) teaches you how to interact in real life settings using the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom.  Service hours are submitted through an online platform, “x2VOL,” which enables you to enter service hours, look for volunteer opportunities, 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. It is HIGHLY encouraged that you use a LAPTOP when logging your hours, not the app on your phone.  The app is unreliable and does not give a full site experience.

Your registration information is already uploaded into the x2VOL system and 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.  There is no exception to these deadlines.

Complete, 7 STEP DIRECTIONS for creating your x2VOL account can be found at the bottom of this email.  Please complete this BEFORE freshman registration day. Instructions for submitting service hours can be found on the school website at Service Learning - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org) under the “How to Complete a Service Hour Submission” tab.  There is a tutorial for x2VOL at the top of the website.

As a LOHS Dragon, you will receive monthly emails with local events seeking volunteers and the email is posted on the Service Learning website.  Summer service opportunities for 2025 are also posted on the school website and at the bottom of this email.

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.

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

Sincerely,

Kristi Pavelich

Lake Orion High School

Service Learning Facilitator

TO CREATE YOUR X2VOL (SERVICE LEARNING) ACCOUNT-

1. Go to Service Learning - Lake Orion Community Schools, scroll to the X2VOL link www.x2VOL.com and click JOIN.

2. Click the top link “My school instructed me to complete my registration”.

3. Type in zip code 48360 and select LAKE ORION HIGH SCHOOL.

4.Type in your Last Name and Student ID (complete name, including hyphens if applicable) Press enter.

5. Put in your first and last name. (MUST USE PROPER CAPITALIZATION AND FULL NAME IN POWERSCHOOL- NO NICKNAMES) Verify your birthdate.  Click proceed.

6. Set a password (use email password), select your graduation group year and check the required boxes (TWO “I UNDERSTAND” STATEMENTS) and submit to complete your registration.

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

 

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 the last day of 8th grade. 

TO CREATE YOUR X2VOL ACCOUNT-

PLEASE NOTE, YOU MUST LOG IN WITH YOUR LOCS SCHOOL ID AND LO 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.

 

 

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.

• 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 (or outside) does NOT count for service.  That is part of being a member of an organization, not community service.

• Practices, games or sporting events for activities, groups or teams you belong to at LOHS (or outside) does NOT count for service.  That is part of being a member, not community service.

• Performances, practices and other operational activities for clubs, classes or groups you belong to DO NOT count for Service Hours.

• 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 beginning their Senior 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 10, 2026. For 3rd quarter graduates, hours are due the Friday after Winter Break, which is February 20, 2026 and for 2nd quarter graduates, hours are due before Holiday Break, December 12, 2025. Turn It In is active in 2026.  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:  

·        Enrollment key:  

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? 

STADIUM ELEMENTARY DK ROOM CLEANOUT 3 volunteers are needed to assist with organizing and cleaning the Developmental Kindergarten classroom at Stadium Drive Elementary. Contact in x2VOL.

ORION LIBRARY PROGRAMS- 6/12, 6/17, 6/21, 6/24, 6/25, 6/27 There are many opportunities to help at the library this month! Sensory play with babies, 90s fun party, CD weaving, Senior citizen interactions, and book fair bubble dancing. All dates and times in x2VOL.

ORION LIBRARY SENIORS & STUDENTS- 6/25 The Orion Library is hosting a NEW event "Bridging Generations: An Afternoon of Connections," for Seniors and students on Saturday, June 25, 12:30-3:30pm. The library will provide guided conversation topics and interactive games to encourage conversation.  Snacks will be provided. Please be comfortable speaking with older members of our population, over age 65, and plan to put your phone away for the entire time.  Contact in x2VOL.

NO-HAZ @ KENSINGTON- 7/19 Volunteers are needed to help direct traffic at the No-Haz Day event for the county at Kensington Church 4640 S Lapeer Rd on Saturday, July 19.  Check in begins at 7:30am and meet Ms. Crane at the church entrance off Lapeer road for your assignment location. The No-Haz event runs until 1pm. 

FORGOTTEN HARVEST @ WOODSIDE-CANTERBURY-MONDAYS Forgotten Harvest partners with Woodside church in the distribution of emergency food boxes EVERY Monday morning throughout the summer from 8:30-10:30 am.  This is an OUTDOOR opportunity. Dress for the weather and CLOSE TOE SHOES REQUIRED. Volunteers will place groceries directly into trunks of vehicles. Located in the parking lot of Woodside Church at 2500 Joslyn Rd, Lake Orion.  You may just show up.  There is no sign up.  

LEVEL UP CAMPS @ MIDDLE SCHOOLS Level Up Camp 2025 is run by the NOCC for all rising sixth graders in the Lake Orion district. Each camp runs Monday-Thursday from 9am-1pm. Volunteers will help with set up, clean up, and everything in between! Expect a fun week helping campers move between activities, games, crafts, and food! Sign up genius in x2VOL.

ART CLASSES @ FRIENDSHIP PARK- The Artist Apprentice camps run all summer with different themes such as fashion, sculpture, printmaking and drawing and are located at Friendship Park 3380 Clarkston Rd.  Plan to arrive 15 min prior to camp start and stay after for clean up.  Responsibilities include helping kids (ages 7 & up) with their art projects and supervising at recess. Please bring a snack & water bottle for yourself and smiles for the kids. Contact and dates/themes in x2VOL.

OXFORD WILDCAT THEATRE SUMMER PROGRAMS Oxford Wildcat Professional Theatre Company (OWPTC) is a nonprofit theatre company and needs assistance with youth camps this summer! All ages, rising stars, Broadway and Wicked- you will be responsible for stage management, props, costumes, set build, and leading campers. Contact info in x2VOL.

OXFORD DOWNTOWN CONCERTS & OPEN AIR MARKETS-THURSDAYS The Oxford DDA needs volunteers on THURSDAYS all summer for their concerts and open air markets.  Responsibilities for concerts include helping to set up/tear down, support the transitions of the opening activity into the actual concert and passing out any flyers.  Market responsibilities include helping with check-in for the market, loading and unloading and then directing to park in the DDA lot as well as making a few rounds through the market to check in on vendors. Sign up genius in x2VOL.

YOUTH EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS TUTORING- WEDNESDAYS Kingdom Of God Outreach Ministries needs 6 volunteers to assist teachers in tutoring students on WEDNESDAYS, July 16- August 13, 12-5pm.  You may sign up for any or all weeks.  The goal is to prepare each student for success in the upcoming school year. Responsibilities may include any of the following: reading aloud during story time, explaining math concepts, administering quizzes, demonstrating writing techniques, assisting with snack distribution and/or cleanup.  Sign up link in x2VOL.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE CAMP Friendship Circle Camp is an organization that creates friendship in the lives of individuals with special needs pairing female teen volunteers as buddies in field trips, free play, complete art/sensory projects, movement based recreation, outside play and more! Please note: there are always staff around to support volunteers. This is a weekly camp, running Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3pm. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up by session and are not required to register for the entirety of day camp. 

MIRACLE LEAGUE @ FRIENDSHIP PARK Friendship Park at the corner of Clarkston and Baldwin hosts Miracle League, an adaptive baseball field for children with special needs. Many of our LO students participate in this team and LOve when our students play with them! One of the most important parts of The Miracle League is the “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied friend to assist them on and off the field during a two-inning game. Concession help is also needed.  Games take place Thursday and Saturday, all summer.  Please see the signup genius in x2VOL for time and location.

KIDS DAY IN THE PARK (CLARKSTON)-8/9 Many volunteers are needed with Kids Day in the Park, 6000 Clarkston Rd, on Saturday, August 9 from 9am-1pm.  Possible job responsibilities include setting up, overseeing the inflatables, giving temporary tattoos, handing out construction hats, or passing out coloring pages.  Sign up genius in x2VOL.

PURPLE POLKA DOT RACE @ STONY CREEK METROPARK-8/10 A Stadium Elementary family is hosting a 5K/10K charity run to support their daughter on Sunday, August 10th from 6am-11am at Stony Creek Metropark - Eastwood Beach. They need 20 volunteers to help make the day a success! Job responsibilities include crossing guard, helping set up, directing family fun run obstacle courses, set up/take down of tents and tables, and helping at the registration table. There is a $10 entrance fee/car to the metropark and you will be reimbursed. Please sign up by July 20.  Contact info in x2VOL.

STADIUM ELEMENTARY WELCOME BACK- 8/27 10 volunteers are needed at Stadium Elementary School on Wednesday, August 27 from 2:45-5pm to welcome students back to school, hand out prizes and size students for tshirts.  Contact info in x2VOL.

DRAGON TRAILS TRIATHLON-9/7 The 2nd Annual Dragon Trails Triathlon will take place Sun, Sept 7 at Camp Agawam and surrounding areas. Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, check in, passing out water and guiding athletes at various points along the course. Volunteers should plan to help between 7am and 2pm and many shifts are available in the link to the sign up genius in x2VOL. 

 

Students who achieve over 100 hours of graduation service hours 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.  Hours for consideration are above and beyond the required 20 service hours and required club or academic honor society hours do not qualify.