Student Service Learning (SSL)
Important Student Service Learning(SSL) Service Update:
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The Student Service Learning (SSL) program in MCPS promotes a culture of student involvement and student responsibility through civic engagement. Service learning is a graduation requirement in Maryland. MCPS students must complete a minimum of 75 service-learning hours to graduate. They may begin fulfilling this requirement in the summer after Grade 5 and continue to accrue SSL hours through high school.
More information regarding SSL can be found on the counseling website under the tab “Student Service Learning”
SSL Coordinator: Mrs. Jen Poole, Counseling Office, 240-406-1564, Jennifer_A_Poole@mcpsmd.org
Turn in completed SSL forms to the Counseling Office.
When corresponding via email, please type SSL in the subject line.
Student Service Learning Graduation Requirement
Middle school and high school students may continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the summer, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the temporarily amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).
Please refer to the important information about the MCPS SSL program provided below:
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Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) Website |
All opportunities (including in-person): https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities Virtual/remote opportunities: |
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MCPS Form 560-50: Used to obtain pre-approval prior to service with a nonprofit organization not listed on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website |
To request pre-approval for service to be completed during the summer, please complete and submit https://bit.ly/SSLPreApproval to SSL@mcpsmd.org |
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MCPS Form 560-51: Used to verify and document SSL hours after service is completed Student and supervisor must complete the form |
SSL Activity Verification Forms (https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) for service completed during the summer should be turned into your school’s SSL coordinator in the fall |
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Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record |
Step-by-step directions may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE |
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MCPS SSL Program Overview Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms |
MCPS SSL Program Overview may be found at https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020 |
If you have any questions about the SSL program before the end of the school year, please email your school’s SSL coordinator, Mrs. Jen Poole. (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS). If you have any questions about the SSL program during the summer, please email the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!
If you have any questions, please email our school’s SSL coordinator, Mrs. Jen Poole at Jennifer_A_Poole@mcpsmd.org or the MCPS SSL office at ssl@mcpsmd.org
Please click to enroll in CJMS SSL on myMCPS Classroom 
SSL Helper for CARES Tutoring Program
Please complete the form. Remember if you agree to be a tutor, you are not there to socialize and cannot share any information with anyone! We are looking for dedicated, responsible, trustworthy students to support this program. Thank you for your interest!
For information about what is SSL, how to earn hours, due dates, how to find opportunities, how to gain pre-approval, how to complete forms, how to turn in forms, awards, and general SSL information, please view this presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1n8iOL31pfzCCqwQplPjXVeHxiz8voxjcvd7l34JfRTY/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming Student Service Learning Opportunities:
Opportunities to earn SSL hours can be found on the MontgomeryServes.org website http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/volunteers/SSL.html
Student Service Learning Deadlines
Student Service Learning Forms
560-51 Student Service Learning Activity Verification - To be completed after completing hours
560-50 Individual Student Service Learning Request - To be used to gain pre-approval before beginning SSL hours if the organization the student plans to work with is not pre-approved by MCPS.
Forms will be returned to students for completion if information is missing, incorrect or additional documentation is necessary. SSL hours will be awarded when a complete and approved form is submitted.
Students are encouraged to maintain records of the SSL hours they have earned by keeping copies of all forms and a log of their involvement. Review regularly the section of your report card where the record of required, earned and remaining SSL hours to complete appears.
Preapproval:
Please check the MontgomeryServes.org website to determine if an organization if preapproved. Organizations with an MCPS SSL banner are pre-approved. Note: Organizations may be on the website but may not be pre-approved. Organizations must have an MCPS SSL Banner to demonstrate that it is a pre-approved organization.
If an organization does not have an MCPS SSL banner and/or is not listed, you must gain pre-approval before beginning the activity. Please complete the following form:
560-50 Individual Student Service Learning Request - To be used to gain pre-approval before beginning SSL hours
Important Links:
Special Information about SSL Activities:
SSL hours for involvement in auditioning, practicing, training, rehearsing, etc. in activities such as dance, sport, and music may be earned when such talents are shared with the greater community. A performance to nursing home residents, hospital patients, visit to a homeless shelter etc. are examples. Hours are available for the actual performance only, not the practice sessions and/or training involved in developing the skill. For further clarification, please contact the SSL Coordinator.
For-profit assisted living and nursing home facilities remain the only for-profit locations where students may earn SSL hours in MCPS. If these organizations are not listed on the pre-approved for SSL list then the student is required to complete an Application for SSL Special Activity approved in advance of any service with these for-profit organizations. Service with these organizations must be direct to the residents, nothing to support the profitability of the for-profit business.
All MCPS sponsored events, including PTSA activities and assisting individual teachers, are pre-approved and do no required a pre-approval form.
All Montgomery County Government sponsored events are pre-approved and do no required a pre-approval form.
Political activities for specific candidates require a pre-approval form. Activities that involve door to door canvassing, phone banking, and soliciting of donations for political campaigns cannot earn SSL hours.
Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/pages/faq.aspx