Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the class of 2029 and following graduating classes will have to complete a total of 32 service hours to graduate. Compared to the 25 mandated hours in years prior, this change was made to create more involvement and awareness for students at Sandburg to take on a more active role in their community.
“We understand now sports, everything, clubs have gotten more demanding. And I feel like the community aspect has kind of fallen behind,” Ms. Donatucci, the new Service Learning Coordinator, states.
While completing the required service hours, Ms. Donatucci hopes students can enjoy what they are doing and find their experiences to be interesting and meaningful. Service hours are meant to be a reflective experience and a way to feel satisfaction about helping others and making a difference.
Ms. Donatucci states, “it could make someone’s day, and it’s a really good, you know, life lesson for [students],” suggesting that service hours are more than a requirement but could benefit students and their communities.
There are many opportunities that are always available to students. To find a volunteer site in need of help, go to the Service Learning 2025-2026 page on Canvas. Here, opportunities are always available and released monthly or when in demand. For example, The Orland Park Library and the Orland Park recreation center are two of the many service opportunities always available for students.
Students can also follow the new Sandburg Service Learning Instagram page, which is @sandburg_sevice_learning, for more information and opportunities.
To submit service hours, a student must complete and submit the Service Learning Student Agreement sheet, which can be found in a file on the Canvas page or as a hard copy in room S168, the Service Learning office.
If a student is unsure if their service hours count or need confirmation for their volunteer site, please email Ms. Donatucci at [email protected] or visit her in room S168.
If a student completes 100 or more service hours in a year, they have the opportunity to achieve the Cook County Sheriff’s Award. This award acknowledges the work put into volunteering and a student’s impact on the community. With the acknowledgement of the award, students also have a morning ceremonial breakfast and receive a chord at graduation as well for their dedication.
Jillian Wallery, a junior, is receiving her second Cook County Sheriff’s Award. She states, “Service hours [are] really important to me, and it definitely helps me with my social skills and helps me learn different things.”
By completing the 25 or 32 mandated service hours (depending upon a student’s graduation year), students have the opportunity to learn more while also helping their community grow. Service hours not only benefit the community; they also inspire students and can create new opportunities.