Now that Windham High School students will be required to complete community service in order to collect a diploma, the school is looking for help in steering students toward those who need help.

School officials are inviting students, parents and other community members to a brainstorming session Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Windham High School upper cafe.

“In our studies, we have found that about 60 percent of our students already belong to service clubs, volunteer for their churches and help in the schools, said Diane Leavitt, community service coordinator, in a letter to parents. “We are looking for ways to help the other 40 percent attain this graduation requirement and expand opportunities for all of our students.”

Due to a policy put into effect by the Windham School Committee earlier this year, members of the class of 2009 will have to complete 10 hours of community service in order to graduate. Students graduating in 2010 will have to complete 20 hours, and the class of 2011 30 hours. Each class after that will have a requirement of 40 hours of community service.

“This is exciting for us but also daunting as we look to manage this requirement for over 1,000 students and search for service opportunities in our community,” wrote Leavitt.

Leavitt can be contacted at 892-1810, ext. 498 or by e-mail at [email protected].