The Christian Service Program is designed to send students out into the community and help those in need. The Christian Service Program is based on the Corporal Works and the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Each student is required to complete 100 hours of service in the community.

The following are the guidelines for the Christian Service Program and projects:

1. Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of service through the CSP prior to graduation. Transfer students, after consultation with the CSP director, will have the number of required hours reduced. Exchange Students are exempt from the CSP requirement.

2. Students are not required to complete 25 hours per year. The 100 hours may be completed over the four years as best suits the student and his or her family. Students are encouraged to begin the CSP early in their time at PND to avoid a last-minute struggle to complete the CSP requirement.

3. The CSP requires that a 20 hour minimum commitment be devoted to each project. No project will be counted toward the requirement unless it comprises at least 20 hours by the completion of the project. Projects of less than 20 hours per year can accumulate and receive credit over a number of years if the student continues similar service at that site. The entire 100 hours can be completed through one project if desired, or any combination of 20+ hour projects can be used to meet the required 100 hours. For example: 1 project of 100 hours; 3 projects consisting of 34 hours; 5 projects of 20 hours each.

4. Projects can be completed during the summer and/or school year.

5. Generally, incoming students should wait to begin the CSP after information has been presented during the fall of the freshman year. If students are involved in a project the summer before high school begins, it may be applied toward the service requirement if it follows all the guidelines of the CSP. All incoming Freshmen intending to start and complete a project during the summer prior to their entrance to PND must attend a general meeting in May. This meeting is mandatory and the date and time will be advertised in advance. Failure to attend will result in no credit for the project.

6. ALL PROJECTS MUST BE REGISTERED BY THE STUDENT AND APPROVED BY THE CSP DIRECTOR BEFORE THE PROJECT HAS BEGUN. NO PROJECT WILL RECEIVE CREDIT UNLESS THIS GUIDELINE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED.

7. All completed projects must be evaluated by the student on the appropriate (blue) Evaluation Form.

8. Students may not receive monetary compensation for service projects. This includes money, gifts, tuition remission from the parish or any other compensation.

9. Generally, CSP projects are not completed for family members. The CSP asks students to broaden the concept of neighbor to include those outside of friends and family. (Exceptions can be made for some Independent Projects via a written request and approval of the CSP Director).

10. Generally, a project supervisor should not be a family member of the student involved in the project. A project supervisor should be a responsible adult capable of adequately supervising a minor.

11. Parents should be involved in the selection of a suitable project and should monitor the project to ensure that the student is well supervised.

12. Students should arrange their service projects on their own by contacting a parish or organization or agency directly. They should find projects that can readily be identified with the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy, and bring participants into direct personal contact with a person or persons in need. Projects that are more properly regarded as supportive of activities whose long range objectiveis a Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy, such as decorating, setting-up, cleaning-up for a fundraiser; clerical work; maintenance work; fundraising; ticket taking; coaching or assisting with athletics; working a concession stand, etc. ARE UNACCEPTABLE. Some excellent project suggestions are included on later pages of the CSP handbook. Students should also contact the CSP Director for additional information or further suggestions and assistance.

13. The CSP Director's primary responsibilities for particpants include: maintaining accurate records on each student's status in the CSP; educating, motivating, and supporting students involved in the CSP; promoting and advertising service opportunities; and acting as a resource person for students, parents, and organizations requesting information on the CSP.

14. When a student completes the required 100 hours and all the necessary paperwork, he or she will receive written notification and will be recognized in the Parents Newsletter. Student diplomas and final transcripts recognize CSP completion

15. Students who complete at least 150 hours and/or at least 4 different projects with excellent evaluations by supervisors will receive special recognition at their Senior Honors Assembly.

16. Any junior student who has not yet begun a CSP project by the end of that academic year will be notified that a project must be started by Sept. 1 of his or her Senior year or else the CSP Director will select a project for the student from an approved list of available projects. Completion of that project becomes the highest priority after academic concerns.

17. All disputes will be handled according to PND due process procedures.