Community Involvement Hours (CIH) &
Opportunities for DSBN Academy students
Argos!
Please find below opportunities available to you which take place beyond the walls of DSBN Academy. Some of these activities qualify for Community Involvement Hour; others are just great experiences for your consideration.
Additional information regarding adjustments to the Community Involvement Hours requirement for 2021-2022, has been posted in your D2L Grade Pages.
All high schools students must complete 40 hours of community involvement by the time they graduate from Grade 12. Students may begin to accumulate volunteer hours in the summer between Grade 8 and Grade 9. Students may do as many different volunteer activities as they’d like as long as the total number of hours adds up to 40 and are logged through Hour Republic.
Access Hour Republic through D2L. 
Be sure to review the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Education before you begin. Below are some important details to note.
The following activities are examples of pre-approved, eligible activities. Additional activities may be eligible, this is not a comprehensive list. If you are unsure of any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your proposed activity, please contact your secondary school guidance department.
- Provincial and national non-profit organizations such as Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way, Girl Guides and Scouting of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Cancer Society, Rotary and Service Clubs, Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Arthritis Society, Habitat for Humanity
- Fundraising or awareness run/walk events
- Coaching / Coaches Helper / Leader in Training programs with non-profit organizations
- Region or city organized community events
- Supporting work of a global nature, promoting environmental awareness
- Food Bank Organizations
The Ministry's List of Ineligible Activities:
- is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience);
- takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible;
- takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age;
- takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age;
- takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult;
- would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace;
- involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
- involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons;
- involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
- requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
- involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
- consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities;
- involves activities for a court-ordered program (e.g., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program).