Superintendent's Digest

TO: Superintendents of Schools

FROM: Dr. Dianna R. Wentzell, Commissioner of Education

DATE: October 26, 2017

SUBJECT: Community Service Recognition Award

I am pleased to provide you with the attached Certificate of Achievement for school districts to use in recognizing high school graduates who have satisfactorily completed community service offered in accordance with Connecticut law. As you may know, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-221a(h), a local or regional board of education may offer one-half credit in community service which, if satisfactorily completed, qualifies for high school graduation credit. The community service must be supervised by a certified school administrator or teacher and shall consist of not less than (1) fifty hours of actual service that may be performed at times when school is not regularly in session, and (2) ten hours of related classroom instruction. Community service may not include partisan political activities.

The attached Certificate of Achievement is a template that can be filled in with a student’s name when the district determines satisfactory completion of the community service requirement, in accordance with local board of education policy, on behalf of the State Board of Education.

Please note that all students, including those with disabilities, should have the opportunity to participate in the community service activities offered by a district.

If you have any questions regarding this graduation requirement, please contact the Division of Legal and Governmental Affairs at 860-713-6520.