X2VOL Online Community Service Log - Silver Star

 Silver Star Award Qualifications

The Silver Star Award is an award given to students that show balance in their schoolwork, extracurricular activities and supporting the community all at the same time.  This program is to teach students responsibility and help them get ready for high school and beyond.  This award is given after the first, second and third nine week periods.

To qualify for the Silver Star Award, students must meet all of the following criteria each nine weeks period:

• A minimum of 8 hours of community service, which must to be completed and documented on the Medlin x2VOL site, within the current nine weeks grading period. All service hours must be entered before the end of the day on the nine weeks due date. No late entries will be accepted. (See all due dates below)

• A cumulative grade average of an 85 or higher in each course (excluding PE & Athletics)

• Must have no office referrals

The Silver Star Award will be recognized for 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters. 

Silver Star Privileges Include:

• Students will receive a new ID badge each nine weeks showing Silver Star status.

• Students, with their Silver Star ID, will have access to the courtyard during lunch or tall tables in the cafeteria.

• Students, with their Silver Star ID, will receive promotional discounts for dances and sporting events. These discounts will be announced. 

• Students with their Silver Star ID will be allowed to be first in line for candy sales.

• Students with their Silver Star ID will be invited to attend quarterly events during Pride time, and can include a special treat, tech time and social fun.These will be announced.

Any hours worked should be claimed within 1 week of completing the hours.  They should then be verified within two weeks. Hours that are not verified by the fourth week after completion are subject to be denied and will have to be resubmitted. 

        **Please understand that there are three steps for hour(s) approval: **
1) A student works and submits/claims the hours in x2VOL
2) The hours are then verified by the person who can confirm the hours were worked (this is done by e-mail that the student enters in X2VOL when claiming the hours).
3) The hours are approved

You are responsible for checking x2VOL and following up with hours not verified. 

Students can earn an end of the year award for service hours. This award is for hours worked between April 16th of a previous school year through April 15th of the current school year.  Awards will be given for the following categories:
BRONZE MEDAL:  Awarded to students who work a total of 50-74 hours
SILVER MEDAL:  Awarded to students who work a total of 75-99 hours
GOLD MEDAL:  Awarded to students who work 100 hours or more. 

For 8th Grade Students:
In high school, you can participate in the Green Cord Challenge.  You may enter your hours starting April 16th of your 8th grade year. Just click on the link below for all the information you need. Make sure you read the program details and overviews. Some of these are a different from the middle school programs. The information you enter on Medlin's x2Vol account will transfer to your high school x2Vol account.  However, it may not show on the high school account until after the school year begins.  

Green Cord Guidelines 

Q.  How many hours of community service are needed to qualify for Silver Star?
A.  One of the qualifications for Silver Star status is a minimum of 8 hours of community service completed and documented in x2VOL within the nine weeks grading period time frame. 

Q.  What is Community Service?
A.  Community Service is defined as unpaid service above and beyond that which is normally expected as a member of the community.

Q. How does Medlin Middle School establish community service guidelines?
A.  We award hours based on the amount of time a student works.  An hour of work equals an hour of credit.

Q. What is the Volunteer Service Award?
A.   This is an award (certificate and medal) given to any student who completes a required number of community service hours: the Bronze Award can be earned by completing 50-74 hours of service.  The Silver Award can be earned by completing 75-99 hours. The Gold Award is earned for 100 or more hours of community service.  

Q.  What kinds of service count and what doesn't?

1. Mission/service trips may count up to a maximum of 8 hours per day.  Travel time may not be counted.

2. We count  hours that benefit the entire community.  Therefore, we do not count hours earned by babysitting for family and friends, mowing, pet sitting, or singing at church.  However, if you are performing at a nursing home, those hours will count.

3. Regular attendance at a club/organization meetings does not count.  However, if as part of the club you participate in a service project, the hours may count.

4. Generally, activities that are expected or required as part of membership in an organization do not count.  For instance, decorating the gym for a dance as a STUCO member does not count.

5. You may count service hours collecting donations or food preparation for charities.  Donating items to food drives or charities may not count toward community service hours.

6. Mentoring/tutoring  other students will ONLY count as community service if it is under direct teacher supervision.

Q. Can we "double dip" hours for National Junior Honor Society?
A.  Yes, community service hours completed for National Junior Honor Society may be "double dipped."  That is, community service hours that go toward NJHS credit may also be recorded for the Presidential Award. 

Q.  Who can verify hours that are worked? 
A.  When you enter your hours on X2VOL, you will include an e-mail and phone number for the person who can verify that the hours were worked.  This is typically someone with the organization where you worked.  A parent, guardian or family member cannot verify hours.  

Looking for hours?  Here are some suggestions:

• Check with your classroom teachers to see if any of them could use some extra help for volunteer hours.

•  You can return to your elementary school and ask if teachers need help before or after school
•  You can sign up to work in the concession stands at Medlin during volleyball and basketball seasons, or other concession stands in the community.
• You can volunteer to help with school functions such as dances or fine arts events
• You can work at any city organized event.
• Local food banks are always looking for volunteers. (Metroport Meals on Wheels contact Annmarie Walker at 817-491-1141 or AMWalker@MetroportMOW.org)

Any non-profit agency is usually accepted.