Learn.Serve.Engage. Program Overview

Lincoln Charter School's Learn.Serve.Engage. (LSE) program is designed to foster a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement among students. Participation not only contributes positively to communities but also equips students with essential skills and experiences that benefit their future academic and career paths. LSE encourages students to become thoughtful, active citizens by supporting school-based service, community involvement, and service-learning experiences.

Getting Started

1. Complete your service between June 1 and May 31
2. Students in grades 3-12 log hours in x2VOL
3. Students in grades K-2 keep a paper log
4. Every service activity must have an adult verifier
5. Log your hours as soon a possible after serving and follow up with the verifier if they have not approved your service hours in a timely manner. 

Program Requirements & Service Hours

The Learn.Serve.Engage. program mandates that students complete a specified number of service hours each academic year, running from June 1 to May 31. These hours can be fulfilled through a variety of activities both inside and outside the school community, including faith-based efforts, local nonprofits, and structured service-learning projects.

Annual & Golden Eagle Service Hour Goals

A student completing yearly goals from K–12 will graduate with 200+ hours of community service. What an outstanding way to teach the next generation to be an integral part of our community!

Service Expectations for School Programs

Participation in clubs and student activities may require students to be in good standing with their LSE service hours:

• National Honor Society (11th–12th grade) – Must meet LSE expectations.
• Beta Club (10th grade) – Must meet LSE expectations.
• Eagles Advisory Council (EAC) – LSE compliance considered.
• Homecoming/Prom Court Candidates – Service expectations considered.

x2VOL: A Student Service Tracking Platform

Lincoln Charter School has adopted the use of x2VOL, a national platform that facilitates the recording and tracking of student service hours. This program is specifically designed to benefit students from 3rd to 12th grade, ensuring that each student’s community service contributions are comprehensively documented throughout their academic journey.

Account Setup and Access

•  Pre-registered accounts are set up using school-issued email addresses. This eliminates the need for students and families to create new accounts, simplifying the onboarding process. 
• Accounts for 3rd grade and all new students become available by September 10th. This timing aligns with the opportunity to record hours on the 9/11 day of service activities. 
• Please remember that x2VOL accounts are required to use your school-issued email address.  Do not set up a new account - click join, my school has instructed me to register.  All LCS students in grades 3-12 have an account within the x2Vol platform.  (Rising 3rd grade and new LCS 4-12  accounts are set up by Sept. 10)

x2VOL tip- Students should enter the verifier's email address carefully. Most verification delays occur because of incorrect email addresses. If a verifier does not respond, students may resend the request or update the verifier information. 

K–2nd Grade Students

Younger students in grades K-2nd are not able to use x2VOL. They are encouraged to maintain a paper log. This practice prepares them for future use of the platform once they enter 3rd grade. Once they receive their x2VOL account they can backload every activity from their paper log. 

Free Cell Phone App

Students may use the x2VOL cell phone app. Once the app has been downloaded, sign in with the student issued email address and the password that you use on your computer. The benefit of the cell phone app is that students can fill in the log while still at the volunteer event and potentially get approval from their verifier before they get to the parking lot to go home.

Opportunities for Service

Students are encouraged to seek opportunities both within the school and outside in the community. Elementary students typically reach their yearly service goal of 5 hours through classroom activities. Middle school students may not meet their entire goal through classroom service alone but can complete a significant portion this way. Parents are encouraged to help students find additional opportunities in the community. All students can earn service hours by participating in school-based traditions and events.

High School Students can find service updates on the StudentSquare group   Learn.Serve.Engage. | Student Service Opportunities”

School-Based Traditions

Events where students may earn service hours with their teachers and classmates but will need to document their time individually:

• 9/11 Day of Service
• PTO Track Attack: Donations and celebration day- Fall
• La Fiesta- Fall
• Pink Out- October 31st
• Veterans Day Program
• SoulFest- Winter
• Cultural Expo- Spring

Clubs & Advisory Projects

• Eagles Advisory Council (EAC)- Apply in the fall
• Big Eagle/Little Eagle – A high school mentoring program led by the Counseling Department. Apply in the fall.

What Counts as Service

For hours to count as service, they must be completed through a non-profit (501c3), government agency, or school. Hours for faith-based organizations can be approved as well. Senior/retirement centers, both profit and non-profit, are allowed. 

Qualifying Activities

• Volunteering at shelters, clean-up events, or nonprofit fundraisers
• Faith-based service like helping at church events or mission work
• School-hosted service-learning projects
• Local civic engagement (library helpers, elections, etc.)
• Up to 10 hours/day, plus reasonable travel time (if serving outside Lincoln County)

What Does NOT Count

• Chores or household responsibilities benefiting one’s own family
  • Babysitting siblings, yard work, 
• Declining pay for a job that benefits a for-profit business
• Donating money, gift cards, or items (service = time, not stuff)
• Court-ordered community service
• Competitive events (e.g., band, sports, theater) unless the event has been pre-approved by the LSE coordinator as a Humanitarian effort where the community is directly benefited.
• The student may not receive any form of compensation, including payment, discounts, or in-kind services.

Logging & Verifying Hours

Students should log all service in x2VOL honestly, based on the expectation of Honesty, one of our school’s core values.

• Each submission must include the email address of the supervising adult.
• Phone numbers are not acceptable for verification.
• The supervisor will receive an email from x2VOL to confirm the hours.
• Parents/guardians may verify if they oversaw the event.
• Students may not verify their own hours or those of another student.
• The LSE Coordinator reviews and officially approves all verified entries.

Need assistance with x2VOL? Message Brenda DeYoe

Reflection & Photo Uploads

When logging hours of service, each student will be asked to “Reflect”, journal what they learned as part of their activity/service hours. It doesn’t have to be lengthy but should capture the essence of their experiences and insights. The purpose of Reflection serves multiple purposes; personal growth, impact assessment, and documentation. Students will be able to see that they have developed skills and can recognize personal growth as they make a difference in their community.

Tips for Effective Reflection:

• A few thoughtful sentences are enough. Focus on what you learned and how your service impacted others.
• What did I learn from this experience? Highlight specific skills or lessons learned 
• How did I grow personally or socially? Describe your personal growth and development
• What challenges did I face and how did I overcome them?
• Did this service inspire me to do more?

By actively participating in the Learn.Serve.Engage program, students at LCS not only fulfill their service hour requirements but also cultivate a lifelong commitment to community involvement and personal growth. 

Optional: Upload a photo of yourself serving in action! It adds value to your reflection and creates a lasting digital portfolio.

The Golden Eagle Award

The Golden Eagle Award honors high school students who exceed Lincoln Charter’s community standards in academics, service, and leadership. Established with the Class of 2018, this award represents a student’s full participation in the Lincoln Charter Experience. 

Eligibility

• Begins June 1st of their freshman year. The calendar year is June 1st- May 31st each year.
• Prorated for students who enroll after 9th grade

Golden Eagle Requirements

1. Academics - minimum of a 3.5 GPA each school year (unweighted)
2. Athletics or Theater - each season
   1. Participate on an athletic team or
   2. Attend one athletic event or
   3. Attend one Lincoln Charter theatre performance
3. Student Life 
   1. Learn.Serve.Engage.
      1. Freshman Year - minimum of 40 hours
      2. Sophomore Year - minimum of 60 hours
      3. Junior Year - minimum of 80 hours
      4. Senior Year - minimum of 100 hours
   2. College/University Visits - 2 visits per school year 
   3. Club Participation - minimum of participation in 1 high school club per school year
   4. Social Event - minimum of participation in 1 Lincoln Charter social event per year

Each student is responsible for documenting their items on a yearly basis.  Each freshman is provided with the Golden Eagle Template.  The template must be renamed and shared with your Learn.Serve.Engage Coordinator (Brenda DeYoe).  Completion of tasks must be completed, documented, and submitted by the last day of school each year, except for your senior year when it is due on May 1st.   

Recognition and Benefits

The Golden Eagle Award is a testament to the values of Lincoln Charter, encouraging students to excel academically while encouraging a spirit of service and leadership. Students who earn this award are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

● Ceremony and Diploma: Recipients of the Golden Eagle Award are honored at the graduation ceremony and receive a distinctive medal. This recognition highlights their outstanding achievements and dedication. 

● College and Career Advantages: The award is a valuable addition to college applications and resumes, providing students with a competitive edge in their future endeavors. 

Get Involved

Whether you're a student or a family member, there are plenty of ways to serve. Service can reflect your values—faith-based, civic, or educational.

FAQ’s

Does summer service count?

Yes. Service completed after June 1 counts toward the next school year.

Can parents verify hours?

Yes, if they directly supervised the activity.

What if my verifier never responds?

Students can resend the verification request or edit the submission with a different verifier if appropriate.

Can I volunteer with my church?

Yes.

Can I volunteer outside Lincoln County?

Yes.

Can I volunteer with a family member?

Yes, provided the organization qualifies

Is travel time included?

Reasonable travel time may be included when serving outside Lincoln County.

How quickly should I log service?

Students should submit service shortly after completing it while details are still fresh.

Struggling to think of service ideas?

Elementary

• Library
• Food pantry
• Church nursery
• Animal shelter (age permitting)
• Community cleanups

Middle School

• School events
• Food drives
• Park cleanups
• Community festivals

High School

• Leadership projects
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Nonprofit organizations

Get Involved

Service starts with finding a way to make a difference. Whether you serve through your school, your faith community, a nonprofit, or another organization, every experience is an opportunity to Learn. Serve. Engage.

Not sure where to start? Watch for service opportunities shared through ParentSquare/StudentSquare with the group called, ”Learn.Serve.Engage. | Student Service Opportunities”. You can also talk with your teachers and counselors, or reach out to Brenda DeYoe, Service Coordinator. Brenda works with students on both campuses and is here to help you find opportunities, answer questions about service, and make sure your hours are properly documented.

Your service matters. Log your hours promptly in x2VOL, reflect on what you learned, and keep looking for ways to serve. The goal isn't simply to reach a number of hours. It is to discover how your time, talents, and willingness to help can make a difference in the lives of others and in your community.

Need Help or Have a Service Question?

Brenda DeYoe | Service Coordinator
Learn.Serve.Engage.
Supporting students on the Denver and Lincolnton campuses
Contact Brenda DeYoe

Learn. Serve. Engage. – and make your service count.