The Silver Cord Program is a community service initiative designed to encourage high school students to engage in volunteer activities. The purpose of the Silver Cord program is to instill within students the importance of community service and encourage them to invest in their own education and in their community.

Program Guidelines

Incoming 9th grade students are eligible to participate in the Silver Cord program beginning the summer prior to their 9th grade year.

To earn a Silver Cord, students must volunteer a total of 200 hours before April 30^th of their senior year. Recipients will be recognized at the Senior Honors Assembly and will wear their silver cord at commencement.

How to submit Silver Cord hours: 

• The Silver Cord forms are available for students to pick up in the Main Office
• Form can also be printed from the Ottumwa Schools Website  Silver Cord Application
• The Silver Cord form must be completed and signed by the supervising adult
• Please return completed form to Mrs. Birch, Silver Cord Advisor, in the Main Office upon completion of volunteering
• Students may see an Ottumwa High Administrator or Mrs. Birch, Silver Cord Advisor, if concerned whether the service they have chosen is acceptable. Partial credit will be given to hours completed through organizations such as Scouts or 4H
• Mrs. Birch, Silver Cord Advisor, will supervise the database of student volunteers and notify students if she has questions or if hours were not approved

Examples of service may include: 

• Volunteer at a hospital, care center, county home, food bank, clothing bank 
• Fine Arts performances for the community (outside of OHS) 
• Volunteering at preschools/daycares outside of your home
• Peer tutoring 
• Yard work for area citizens 
• Helping shut-ins (reading, housework, writing letters, etc.) 
• Volunteering for the humane society 
• Volunteering at church – mission trips, etc. 
• Mentoring

Non-Eligible Volunteer/Service Activities: 

• Service for family members
• Services for which you receive payment or other recognition such as a grade, merit badge, or academic letter are not eligible
• No more than 50 hours of Teacher Assistant services will be approved, as we expect students to volunteer out in the community
• Not all services can come from one event/organization. A variety of service is required

Program Deadlines: 

• All summer service forms are due by the end of September
• All first semester service forms are due by the end of January
• All second semester service forms are due by the last day of school
• All senior second semester forms are due by April 30