Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 135 No. 1 Fall 2013 | Page 16

Gaining Experience
WSD seniors will see a change in graduation requirements in 2014. Students are now expected to volunteer off campus in the community. Volunteering is a
great way for students to recognize the importance of
connecting in the community, to give back to others,
and to increase sensitivity toward others. The Pupil
Services Team decided to add this requirement in the
best of interest of our students.
High school students are required to work eight hours
each year. Since this is the rst year that WSD is requiring this experience, seniors will only have to contribute eight hours before May 23, 2014. Completing
more than the required amount of hours will earn the
student a grey cord to wear at graduation.
Jamie Chapin is the coordinator of the program and
will facilitate forms, record keeping, nding volunteer opportunities, supporting parents to nd opportunities in local communities and approving facilities.
Ms. Chapin posts new volunteer opportunities on the
bulletin board near her of ce at the Student Support Center in the dorm, sends email messages with
volunteer opportunities to high school students and
their parents, and posts them in the Announcements
on First Class.

Fall 2013 - 16

Volunteer work completed at home is permitted with
prior approval. It is the student’s responsibility to
turn in completed forms before they begin working.
Students may not earn pay and cannot work for their
own parents. Students who have transferred to WSD
may transfer previously earned volunteer hours.
Athletes who have schedule con icts can complete
their volunteer work during weekends, vacations,
or during dorm hours. Hours completed during the
summer may be transferred to the upcoming school
year. If a student has a valid reason for struggling to
complete their volunteer hours, they must meet with
Ms. Chapin to determine a plan for completing the
hours.
WSD students have been involved in volunteer opportunities at the Lakeland Animal Shelter, in parks,
making holiday cards for hospital patients, making
and delivering goodies to nursing homes, visiting the
elderly, tutoring and mentoring other students, and
helping with local community events.
Efforts are made to ensure that students enjoy volunteer experience and it is hoped that students will
continue to volunteer their time with the possibility
of choosing a similar area of study in the future.