Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Community Service/Involvement Hours page

Community Service/Involvement Hours

Community service hours poster showing five students during a community cleanup, with information about Ontario's 40-hour graduation requirement and recognition for completing 50+ hours.

Grade 8 students may begin completing their Community Involvement Hours during the summer prior to entering Grade 9. Students under 18 years old should consult with their parents to plan and select their community involvement activities.  

Students accumulating volunteer hours will record their experience online through Brightspace using a platform called 'Hour Republic'.  In place of a record book, students will enter their hours, validate their experience, and track the community service requirement. 

Students, including Grade 8 students, will receive Hour Republic training at school and will be able to request assistance or get more information from their school guidance counsellor.

Parents and organizations will be required to verify student hours in Hour Republic. When students enter their hours in Hour Republic, an email is sent automatically to a parent and the organization.  The email will come from [email protected]

Parents and organizations do not require an account with Hour Republic to verify. Prompts are provided in the email.

As part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students are to complete 40 hours of community service prior to the end of Grade 12 and it is a mandatory graduation requirement.

For more information about Hour Republic, please use the following link:

Hour Republic FAQ

Please review the additional information:

40 Hours Community Service Involvement Liability Statement

40 Hours Community Service Involvement Roles and Responsibilities

40 Hours Community Service Involvement Approved Activities

40 Hours Community Service Involvement Ineligible and Unacceptable Activities


Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
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