The article addresses many of the concerns that I had even back when I was in High School, but especially now that I teach.
BUT critics say that what started as a dignified attempt to instill a sense of noblesse oblige in high school students has devolved into an unseemly obsession with hours — not counting the ones that parents spend chauffeuring teenagers to soup kitchens. When students are in a panic over how to fill their hours, it leads to a debasement of community service that mistakes quantity for quality, these critics say. It also can prompt some teenagers to exaggerate their deeds, or, in the case of those from wealthier families, simply to buy their hours.
The system itself is also always extremely shady. I remember, and see currently, "Hour Deals," where the coordinator will give students extra hours to go to an even that is "especially important." Counting travel time usually serves as an incentive for "big events," but for regular oppurtunities It doesn't. There is no real way to determine if students did what they claim they did for as long as they say they did. There are no clear cut definitions as to what is considered community service/Chesed. Babysitting for teacher's during Conferences is Chesed, but regular Babysitting isn't.
What are the goals of the requirement? Is this program a mere formality? Do we expect them to recognize the importance of doing Chessed? Is the current setup of our schools' systems encouraging this or are kids just running out to find their hours? Is this a "forced altruism," or a "broadening of students' horizons?" Are we banking on MiToch SheLo Lishma BaLishma/Acharei HaPeulos Nimshichu HaLevavos?
I liked the idea of assigning a big task for each "naturally formed communities," like sports teams or school clubs.
How do we improve, what could be, a really nice requirement of our students?
The Chesed Hour programs are a scam and were created knowing they would be a scam. The programs were invented for the outside world to see, not the students.
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