Eligible Activities

Limestone Learning Foundation

The Ministry of Education and Training has developed a list of activities that are considered eligible and may be chosen as community involvement activities. Eligible activities might include:

  • An event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community;

  • An event or activity to support a not-for-profit agency, institution or foundation that conforms to the ethical standards of the Board and the Ministry of Education;

  • Any structured program that promotes tutoring, mentoring, visiting or coaching, or whose purpose is to assist others who require the benefit of that assistance;

  • Participation in an event or activity that supports ethical work of a global nature;

  • Participation in an event or activity that promotes positive environmental awareness;

  • Participation in an event or activity that contributes to the health and well-being of any ethical group that conforms to community standards of morality and conduct, including school-based activities;

  • Participation in an event or activity affiliated with a club, religious organization, arts or cultural association, or political organization that seeks to make a positive and ethical contribution in the community.

Events or activities that may be based on or with a particular interest group must conform to the ethical and principled standards of the Board and the Ministry to ensure that they are intended to promote a positive contribution to the community in general. Where an event or activity does not clearly fall within the guidelines, the Principal of the student's school has the discretion to approve or reject any activity or event that does not conform to the guiding principles and ethical standards for approved areas of involvement for students.

The following list provides examples of activities that, if within the intent and spirit of the applicable guidelines and ethical standards, are suitable for completion of the community involvement requirement:

  • Fundraising: includes canvassing; walk-a-thons for community benefit; celebrity games, gift wrapping, gala and sales for charitable purposes.

  • Sports/recreation: includes coaching, and helping to organize special Olympics, track meets and summer games, or volunteering as a leisure buddy or pool assistant.

  • Community Events: includes helping organize winter carnivals, parades, and summer fairs.

  • Community Projects: includes participating in organized food drives; or support services for community groups such as 4H clubs or Welcome Wagon.

  • Environmental Projects - includes participating in community clean-up flower/tree planting, recycling, and general beautification projects and activities.

  • Volunteer Work with Seniors: includes assisting in a seniors' residence, e.g. - serving snacks, helping with activities or portering, or participating in visiting and reading programs.

  • Committee Work: includes participation on advisory boards, neighbourhood associations and regional associations.

  • Religious Activities: includes participation as a volunteer in programs for children, child-minding, Sunday School assistance, special events and clerical tasks.

  • Youth Program: includes volunteer assistance with the operation of youth programs such as 4H, Scouts, Guides, drop-in centre activities, breakfast programs, March break programs, Leaders in Training, summer playground activities and camps.

  • Office/Clerical Work: includes volunteer activity in reception, computer work and mailings for individuals or groups.

  • Work with Animals: includes volunteer involvement with animal care, horseback riding programs, or volunteer assistance at a local zoo or petting farm.

  • Arts and Culture: includes volunteer assistance at a gallery, performing arts production or program, or in a community library program.

  • Activities for Individuals: includes volunteer activity that assists someone who requires the assistance with shopping, tutoring, light snow removal (no use of snowblower), housekeeping, writing letters or transcribing, or involves hospital visitation, voluntary involvement with chronic care, or service as a volunteer reading buddy.

  • School Community Service: may include service within the school community that provides benefit to others that takes place outside the regular school day. These activities must be approved at a local level by the school Principal in advance of the commencement of the activity.

In the event that a student would like to participate in an activity or event that is not clearly within the Board’s list of examples, and does not conform to the guiding principles as set out, the student will submit a letter detailing the proposed activity or nature of the participation and event to the student’s Principal. The Principal will forward the request to the Board and the student will be duly notified whether the proposed activity/event is suitable, or not. The activity or event should not be commenced until permission has been granted. If completed without permission and permission is subsequently denied, the activity or event will not be counted toward the student’s community involvement requirement.

Please note that a Principal is not obligated to approve a project at the local level.

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.