While yearly community service hours are necessary in order to graduate, 2015 marks the first year that the previous policy of entering hours through the online website Aeries has changed. Honors Physiology, Environmental Biology and Honors Biology teacher Megan Swanson is responsible for implementing the new turn-in process.

Starting this year, students will complete their logs on paper and attach a 150 word typed reflection to the back. Once completed, logs can be turned in to the attendance office, or to Swanson in room S-6. Logs are available for printing on the service learning website. Faculty and administration members hope this new process will be an easier and more effective method of inputting hours.

“We hope that by eliminating the scanning and uploading of forms, more students will submit their hours by this year’s due date,” said Swanson.

In addition to altering the turn-in process, the standard forms of community service have risen. The expectations of service learning are higher this year, and the administration would like students to participate in projects that appeal to their interests. CHS faculty urges students to participate in events that relate to their interests beyond academics such as music, film or sports.

A reflection essay will also be required starting this year in order to get credit for service learning hours. This has been changed because the faculty believes that students should reflect on the work they have done and realize the difference their volunteering made in the world. Administration members believe this process is necessary because interaction with many different groups bolsters a person’s communication skills, making him or her have a successful career.

“A reflection essay may cause conflict with teachers and supervisors,” said junior Kimia Zargari. “A student may have an opinion on the work that the teacher does not agree with.”

CHS administration members believe serving the community can be a great way to find a career path and can help shape ones future choices as he or she moves to college. Seniors must turn in all community service forms for 2015 by May 1, and all other students must submit forms by June 1.