Community service or paid work hours are required for all Bright Futures Scholarship Awards. There is not a community service requirement for graduation. Students may begin logging community service/work hours the summer before freshman year. Students should make sure to read the steps for volunteering below before they start working on their community service.
Students are allowed to combine paid work hours and community service hours to count towards the requirement for the Bright Futures Scholarship.
Documentation for Community Service/Paid Work Hours:
- For students submitting hours from a school related volunteer activity, students should complete the Beachside HS Community Service Form and turn it in with the reflection log attached.
- Students submitting hours from an outside-the-school related volunteer activity must submit a letter on letterhead from the organization that they completed the volunteer hours with that includes the student’s service hours, type of service performed, who in the community the service benefited, dates, and supervisor signature.
- Students using paid work hours are required to submit pay stubs to have their hours counted.
- For hours completed on or after August 16, 2021, students must submit a reflection log for their Bright Futures Community Service Hours to be approved. This is for paid AND volunteer hours.
Steps for Students to Complete Prior to Volunteering
- Determine an area/topic in the community where you would like to make an impact.
- Research the types of volunteer activities available in your community. The district community service website lists local opportunities and community service guidelines for St. Johns County School District.
- Contact the organization you are interested in volunteering with and determine 1) the steps to become a volunteer, 2) if they have volunteer openings for the dates/activities you are interested in, 3) who the contact will be to verify your hours and participation in the activity. Note: Supervisor must be non-family member with organization who directly supervises the student during the activity outside of the home.
Steps for Students to Complete During Volunteering
- Keep track of hours, dates, & activities completed during service to verify with whoever supervises you during your community service.
Steps for Students to Complete After Volunteering
- Have the supervisor of your service provide a signed letter on the organization’s letterhead describing the type of service performed, who in the community the service benefited, and a description of the service event. Student and parent/guardian should sign this letter.
- For paid work, student will need to submit a copy of their pay stub to Ms. Davis.
- Make a copy of all completed forms for your records.
- Student provides letterhead or pay stub and reflection log to Ms. Davis with all required signatures included.
- Please allow 1 week for hours to be updated. Students may check their hours by logging in to HAC and clicking on the registration tab.
Local Community Service Opportunities
Here are some ideas to help students find organizations for volunteer opportunities. Opportunities will also be posted on our School Counseling Schoology group; be sure to join group using access code: 8G4M-J5H5-5RZSD
| St Johns County Volunteers | https://www.careconnectvolunteers.com/ | Search for volunteer opportunities throughout St. Johns County |
| Volunteer Match | https://www.volunteermatch.org/ | Search for volunteer opportunities throughout North Florida |
| United Way of Northeast Florida | https://uwnefl.galaxydigital.com/ | Search for volunteer opportunities throughout North Florida |
| Habitat for Humanity | https://www.habijax.org/get-involved/volunteer/ | Volunteers help by constructing homes, helping with events, or working at the office. Must be at least 16 years old. |
| Goodwill | https://goodwillnorthfl.org/get-involved/ | Volunteers may assist in any store locations (excluding Pound Stores & donation centers). Must be at least 16 years old. |
| Episcopal Children’s Service | https://www.ecs4kids.org/about/volunteer/ | Volunteers work with children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Must be at least 16 years old. |
| Mayo Clinic | https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/volunteers/florida/becoming-volunteer | Offers a summer program for teens from age 15 through the time you graduate from high school. |
| UF Health | https://ufhealth.org/volunteen | Offers ages 15-17 an opportunity to volunteer in a variety of areas throughout the hospital. |
| Betty Griffin Center | http://bettygriffincenter.org/volunteer-career-opportunities/ | Volunteer at either of the two thrift shops. Must be 16 years or older. |
| St Augustine Wild Reserve | https://www.sawildreserve.org/volunteer | Volunteers participate in many activities at the Reserve including cage cleaning and maintenance. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 or be accompanied by a parent when they volunteer. |
| Castillo de San Marcos | https://www.nps.gov/casa/getinvolved/volunteer.htm | Historic Preservation |
District Community Service webpage
Students are encouraged to choose a variety of opportunities or services when selecting and completing their community service hours. If a student is unsure if activities are considered viable, they should consult their school counselor prior to the activity.