Although not every student was enthused about having to accumulate 40 hours of volunteer time in order to graduate, Fort Frances High School is proud to report every eligible graduate accomplished that goal.
Now all they have to do is pass their final exams, which began Wednesday.
“We’re thrilled,” said FFHS vice-principal Mary Hickling. “I’m very proud of the student’s achievements.”
The Class of ’03 was the first who needed the 40 hours as a graduation requirement imposed on school boards by the Ministry of Education.
“Not one student failed to get their hours,” Hickling noted.
“It took a little nagging to get the paper work in,” she said, adding the last of it only came in last week (the supposed deadline was closer to Easter).
She said those students who hadn’t submitted their hours by the deadline got a little extra prodding.
“I would track them down personally,” she said, adding that isn’t the ideal situation in the long-term but, in the first year, was essential to get the message to all the students.
“A little extra leg work to ensure 100 percent success.”
Hickling wasn’t surprised all the students did do the work. And she stressed that if they hadn’t accomplished the hours, “they wouldn’t get a diploma.”
She admitted something might have been worked out to allow the potential grad to finish up over the summer, if need be, but added the students need to take the requirement seriously.
“I encourage any student who is still in school to work on it through the summer,” she said, suggesting that volunteering for the bass tournament here in July as one way to earn hours.
It also is important that the students are sure the volunteer hours they choose to perform are on the list supplied by the ministry, or get approval in writing ahead of time, before beginning a project.
“Some kids did go ahead and do hours that weren’t on the approved list from the ministry,” Hickling said, noting those hours didn’t count. “If it’s not on the approved list, they must get written approval.”
Although it’s not the school’s responsibility to find the students volunteer hours, nor nag them to do them, the school took it upon itself to help encourage the students.
There even was a bulletin board at the school—updated regularly—which listed opportunities for community involvement.
“Most students had more hours,” Hickling remarked, showing how easy it was to actually achieve.
“I think they’ve gained a lot from the experience,” she added. “They know what it’s like to help people without expecting something in return.”
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
