Work Permit/Volunteer Hours

Yes, students should keep track of their time spent performing community service. For the current cycle, the Service Hour Submissions Deadline is March 13, 2026.  Everything students need to formally submit their hours is now located in ScoutsCenter. 

How to Track/Submit Hours:

1. Go to the ScoutsCenter. It is also an icon in their web browser on their school laptop. 
2. Scroll down to the Extracurricular & School Life section.
3. Click on either the Service Hour Tracking Spreadsheet or the Service Hours Submission Form (students have to use their LFHS email). 

LFHS will keep track of a student’s hours for their entire high school career. It is important to record service hours because the school frequently refers to volunteer records when asked to suggest candidates for leadership seminars, conferences, scholarships, and national and local service awards. If you have questions about your specific hours, please visit Ms. Malec or Ms. Sabin in the Student Activities Offices (Upper Library) or send them an email. 

Questions?  Contact Ashleigh Malec, 847-582-7772, amalec@lfschools.net.

Individual Volunteer Service

If you can say YES to the following questions, your volunteer service is likely to be approved:*

• Was the service done on behalf of others (not family members)?
• Was the service done to assist others and for the good of the community?
• Was this service completed voluntarily and without compensation (grade, class credit, club/sports team requirement or for pay)?
• Was this service completed beyond a club’s membership hour requirement?
• Was the service done outside the school day or during unscheduled school time?
• Is the service consistent with the Lake Forest High School’s Mission and Vision?

MISSION

To inspire the passion to learn, the insight to know oneself, and the courage to make a difference.

VISION

LFHS will be a leader in developing every student’s capacity, character and confidence to make a difference in their world.

* Please note that the National Honor Society has a different set of criteria for service hours.  These are available on the NHS application.

A Student Service Recognition Night ceremony is held annually in April. One of the awards that will be presented at this ceremony is the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which is a nationally recognized service award sponsored through the White House and the Points of Light Foundation. This award is based solely on the number of service hours completed by a student within a year’s time. Our year runs each year from March 2 through March 1 of the following year. There are two different age categories and three levels of recognition:

Only students who have recorded their hours on x2VOl in Naviance will be eligible to receive one of these awards. Students should record their volunteer hours by the March deadline.

Congratulations.....

....on taking your first steps toward being gainfully employed.
Child labor laws require students 15 and under have a work permit before they can be formally employed for wages.

Please follow the steps below to secure this document.

1. Obtain a job. A work permit can’t be requested “in hopes” of landing a job.
    
2. Get a Letter of Intent to Employ from the person hiring you. This should be on professional stationary and include:
   • The business name, address, phone number.
   • A list of the type of work you will be doing.
      
3. Contact LFHS to request work permit application papers from Mr. Teichman jteichman@lfschools.net. On the application, please include:
   • Your home contact information.
   • Verification that you are a Lake Forest High School student.
   • Your parent/guardian’s signature as approval for you to work.
      
4. Complete the paperwork, and scan or send electronic documents, including the letter from your employer to Mr. Teichman via email,  jteichman@lfschools.net.
    
5. Within a few days, your State of Illinois Work Permit will be emailed for you to share with your employer.

Questions?

Contact Mr. Teichman jteichman@lfschools.net.