Confirmed this year, the community service hour requirement at Kennedy High School is being revoked, allowing for the graduation of seniors to become an easier process, whilst giving high achieving students the opportunity to receive an additional cord at graduation.
The change occurred due to issues that students had with the management of fitting in time to perform service to their community into their schedules, when students were already busy with outside activities and commitments such as work, sibling-care at home, and athletics.
This change gives students that have chosen to complete their community service hours, in the process of completing three out of the four given requirements, the opportunity to obtain an additional chord at senior award night to wear at their graduation.
While the hour requirement has been officially terminated for this graduation year, students’ service learning projects are still required due to the fact that many projects have been integrated into clubs and classes to help students get them completed.
Emma Kamel, a junior at Kennedy High School, stated, “I completed my service learning project in my AP Psychology class and my topic was based on helping victims of domestic abuse and or violence. Our group decided on doing a journal donation drive. Initially, the thought of this project was stressful, but being able to complete it in class with help and as a group was really useful.”
Though community service is no longer a written requirement for this year’s graduating class, community service is still highly recommended for students to perform during their free time.
Natalie Patrossian, an Assistant Principal at Kennedy High School, stated, “Community service is a valuable and noble endeavor for all students, regardless of whether or not it is required. We encourage all seniors to be of service to their school and community.”
The community service hour requirement of 100 hours, over four years, was originally created with the purpose of pushing students to develop as leaders and become involved members of their community and learn the role of hard work in their lives.
Though this rule was a part of Kennedy’s graduation plan during the past years, it has changed for the current graduating class and may continue with the ongoing generations of future John F. Kennedy seniors with the annual review performed by Kennedy High School admin.
