SILVER CORD

THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING

This program is to recognize students on graduation day for their volunteerism in our community. This is an optional program that is open to all students. Students that complete the necessary requirements will be recognized by the wearing of a Silver Cord during their senior year graduation program.

HOURS REQUIRED

To earn silver cord recognition, students in the class of 2025 need to earn 175 volunteer hours over the course of their high school career. Students in the class of 2026 and beyond will need to earn 200 hours over the course of their high school career. Students will be allowed to earn 75 hours in any given school year towards this total.

CRITERIA

Each student must pick up and return completed forms to the High School Office. Submission of hours ends May 10th of the graduation year.

  • Group activities should be supervised
  • Individual activities may not be court ordered, for school misconduct, or class
  • Activities may not be for pay
  • Activities must be documented
  • Student organization hours can be counted for silver cord if the teacher in charge approves
  • Hours count from the end of 8th grade, including summer hours
  • No more than 50% of hours can come from one organization
  • Hours must be submitted for approval within 3 months of their completion
  • Summer hours will be due September 1
  • Parents cannot sign the form unless approved by the principal prior to the event
  • The 75-hour limit resets each year on the day after the final day of school.

What counts toward Silver Cord hours?

  • Tutoring (outside of class time)
  • Club activities (FFA, FCCLA, etc.)
  • Yard work/snow removal for a person in need
  • Church activities (choir, teach Sunday School, etc.)
  • Volunteer at fundraisers
  • City, community, and/or school cleanup
  • Blood drive donations
  • Salvation Army bell ringer
  • Nursing home/daycare volunteer
  • Volunteer youth coaching

Examples that do not count towards Silver Cord hours:

  • Anything to do with family, including extended family
  • Anything that is paid (babysitting)
  • School activities that are a requirement (ex., FCCLA clean-up)
  • Any type of school practice (fine arts or sports)
  • Anything done during school class time
  • Fundraising for self/team
  • Anything that earns credit toward a class

ORGANIZATIONS WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

If your organization or group wishes to be added/deleted to this list please call the High School at 515-232-3738.

  • American Red Cross
  • Habitat for Humanity                   
  • Local Churches                                                      
  • Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Centers          
  • Preschools                                                                
  • Salvation Army                                                       
  • Soup Kitchens
  • Various GHS Activities
  • Meals on Wheels
  • GHS Mentoring
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Relay for Life
  • Senior Citizens Centers
  • United Way
  • Overflow Thrift Store
  • Redeemable Volunteers for Gilbert Can Station
  • Gilbert Youth Sports (coaching, concessions, and fieldwork)
  • YSS School-Based Mentoring

*This list can be added to by the Silver Cord committee