Silver Cord Program
Ames High School, as part of its mission to provide students with opportunities to develop to their fullest potential and become valuable members of society, will be implementing the Silver Cord Service Program beginning October 2022. Students who interact positively within their community will not only benefit the community but will also develop their own leadership and citizenship skills. To encourage and reward volunteerism and community service, the Silver Cord program will recognize students each year who have made contributions to their community through service.
Students who have completed 200 hours of volunteer service during their high school career will be awarded the silver cord and recognized at their senior graduation. It is suggested that students complete 50 hours of service activities per year to reach the total 200 hours. Students may only accumulate 60 hours of service in a given year. Verification forms must be completed for each activity for which a student volunteers. These forms should be submitted to your counselor so that they can be added to the student’s service file. To be considered, verification forms must be completed and submitted by the end of the school year for any service activity completed during that school year or the previous summer. Seniors must complete their service hours prior to April 15th of their senior year.
The Silver Cord program will start with the class of 2023. Students can start documenting their hours starting October 1st, 2022. The following hours will be required for Silver Cord Honors for each graduating class:
Class of 2023: 50 Hours
Class of 2024: 100 Hours
Class of 2025: 150 Hours
Class of 2026: 200 Hours
Class Thereafter: 200 Hours
Silver Cord Service Program Ideas for Service
The following are ideas that would be acceptable to fulfill hours of service:
- Volunteering for community service organizations
- Reading to the elderly
- Assisting elderly community members with household chores
- Volunteering for church projects
- Helping to improve school grounds
- Shoveling sidewalks/raking for the elderly
- Cleaning ditches or other public areas around the community
- Assisting with Special Olympics
- Assisting at a hospital, shelter, day care, or nursing home
- Beautifying community property (main street, parks, etc.)
- Volunteering for school sponsored activities (such as track meets, music contest, quiz bowl, etc.)
- Blood drives
- Volunteering to help coach younger children in sports
- Volunteer tutor for our students
- Volunteer counselor at a camp
- Serving as a youth member of the School Board, Chamber of Commerce, or City Council
- Attending School Board, Chamber of Commerce, or City Council meetings
- Others may be approved by your counselor.
The following activities would NOT be acceptable to fulfill service hours:
- Doing chores at home or helping family members
- Attending church or Sunday School
- Babysitting for a younger sibling
- Working on the family farm
- Completing ANY task for which you receive money
- Doing extra credit homework or helping a teacher with classroom management tasks
- Participating in extra-curricular activities
- Court ordered community service tasks
- Visiting an elderly relative with your family
- Minor acts of kindness (holding a door open, etc.)
- Working for a PROFIT organization for free
- Working for a political party or campaign
- Good Conduct violation community service hours