What is the Internship/Community Service Program?

Real world experience is essential to the CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY learning program. Every student will volunteer at an organization in the community for two or three hours each week. An internship or community service can take place almost anywhere in the community. The main requirement is that you, as a student, be interested in what is going on in the organization. The only limit for an internship or community service is your own imagination!

Two hours a week are required for an internship or community service.
· Community service is giving back to the community
· Internships help you learn new skills – this can include music or dance lessons.

General community service assignments that can be used in many subject areas are outlined below.

Around our School Community
· Keep the CHA campus orderly and clean and an environment in which we can take pride. You can be part of our Green Team to keep our halls, classrooms and common areas clean and in good repair.
· Help teachers and fellow students as peer tutors and student aides.
· Be part of our Public Relations Team and do tours, presentations, new student orientation, make brochures, flyers and promotional materials for CHA.

Around our Friends and Neighbors
· Do volunteer work (or visiting) in hospitals, senior citizen centers, rest homes.
· Help at the Animal Shelter
· Help at the Public Library
· Volunteer at museums
· Distribute food and clothing to the needy
· Assist in child care centers
· Be a teachers assistant at your former elementary school

Many more possibilities exist. We are open to creative Ideas.

As an intern or volunteer, your main goals are:
· To contribute to the organization in whatever way you can and they would like.
· To learn about the place that you are working
· To gain real world experience
· To learn about career opportunities and your community by doing
· To contribute to the community

To ensure your goals are met, each CORTEZ HILL ACADEMY student will be asked to:

· Obtain a service log from the counselor, Ms. Hicks.
· Have your service log signed each week by your site supervisor; these will be checked frequently by your Advisory teacher.
· Write a five paragraph essay reflecting on your experience.
· Obtain at least one letter of reference a supervisor.

Paid or not paid?

· You may be paid and still receive Internship credit.
· Community Service credit requires that you be a volunteer only – never paid.
· You will receive 0.5 credits each year for a total of 1.0 credit for Community Service and 1.0 credit for Internship Service.