ALMONTE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

Effective September 1, 1999, and starting again on September 6, 2022, every student who begins secondary school in Ontario is required to complete 40 hours of community involvement in order to receive a diploma. Students can begin collecting their hours in the summer following Grade 8 graduation. All 40 hours must be completed by the end of Grade 12. 

The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to understand the various roles they can play in their community and to help develop a greater sense of civic responsibility and belonging within the community.

The Ministry of Education has developed a list of activities that must not be chosen as community involvement activities.

An ineligible activity is an activity that:

• is a requirement of a class or course (e.g., cooperative education 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 the student's lunch

• break or "spare" period is permissible;

• takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen;

• 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 others;

• involves handling of "designated substances" under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;

• requires the knowledge of a trades person 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 activities;

• involves a court-ordered program (e.g., Community service program for young offenders, probationary
  program).

Hard copies of the Guide and the Community Involvement tracking form can also be picked up in the main office. 

Student Services sends out emails from time to time with opportunities that arise. There is also a bulletin board around the corner from the main office to check out.

If you have any additional questions regarding mandatory community involvement, please don't hesitate to contact the school.

Some Volunteer Opportunities you might like to check out include the following;

*Almonte General Hospital & Fairview Manor Junior Volunteer Program
*Local Fairs (ie. Puppets Up!)
*Local Festivals (ie. Celtfest, Lanark Highland Games)
*Local Libraries (ie. Almonte Library)
*Local Youth Groups (ie. Mississippi Mills Youth Centre)
*Local community groups (ie. Friends of the Beach)
*Local Pet Rescues
*School sports and Student Council events (ie. Thunder Stomp)

If you are a not-for-profit community group looking for student volunteers, please call Ms. Summers at 613-256-1470 ext. 506 and we can give our students the details.