Students that are falling behind in their student service learning hours (SSL) can be at ease. Springbrook is starting its very own SSL Club that will help students acquire the required number of hours needed for graduation. The club was founded by senior Malki Manukulasuriya and sponsored by school librarian Julie Simon.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students are required to have a minimum of  75 SSL hours in order to graduate. If students earn 260 hours or more, they will receive a purple tassel to wear on their cap.

The first meeting of the club was held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the media center during lunch. Students can come to the meetings to learn about and sign up for volunteer opportunities. This club can be extremely beneficial to seniors lacking SSL hours.

“50% of seniors still need hours to graduate,” SSL coordinator Madonna Brown-Miles noted.

Not only does the SSL club help fulfill the graduation requirement, but it also helps students become involved and help out in their own communities.

“We want to make them think of SSL as, not just a requirement, but a way for them to get involved,” Manukulasuriya explained.

The SSL Club provides many different ways students can get their hours at Springbrook such as aiding for teachers and tutoring kids.

“Teachers who need any help can come to the club and ask for help,” Brown-Miles stated.

Many other volunteer opportunities presented by the club exist outside of school also such as as cleaning the roads for “Adopt A Highway” or volunteering at a hospital or nursing home.