1. Advisory Grades 9 – 11 September 9, 2013

2.  Graduation day is a culmination of four years at Fort Bragg High School, and for most students, graduation day is the completion of thirteen years of K-12 education.  When you reach your senior year, you will begin your senior project and have many tasks and deadlines you’ll need to address.  Our goal is to help you plan for graduation day and prepare for life after high school.

3.  Each year at FBHS you will begin creating and adding to a senior portfolio.  This portfolio begins in your 9 th English class, but is really documented through your advisory class.  This portfolio will be part of your senior project and will be viewed during senior boards.

4.  In 9 th grade all freshmen write a five paragraph essay discussing potential career options. This essay documents where students are as freshmen and what choices they are considering in that moment.  In 10 th and 11 th grade students participate in two events – the Career Fair and Community Service. These events alternate each year, so some may have completed their Community Service as sophomores while others will complete this as juniors.

5.  Career Fair – This year FBHS is hosting a county sponsored Career Fair. Students from Mendocino HS, Three Rivers HS, Noyo HS, and Laytonville HS will visit our school and join us to hear from community speakers on different careers. You will complete a task during the career fair and add this to your senior portfolio.  Community Service – All students will need to complete eight hours of community service prior to the second semester of their senior year. Freshmen and sophomores will complete community service hours next year. Juniors should have completed their hours last year. If you are a junior and have not done this, you will need to complete these hours this year.

6.  Your 9 th grade essay will be kept in your eBackpack or a printed copy may be kept in your advisory folder.  Your career fair documents and community service verification form will be kept in your advisory folder.  All sophomores should have their 9 th grade essay completed.  All juniors should have their 9 th grade essay and their community service completed.  Everyone will participate in the Career Fair this year.

7.  By the time you are a senior, your portfolio will have these documents:  9 th Grade – Career Essay  10 th Grade – Career Fair or Community Service  11 th Grade – Community Service or Career Fair  12 th Grade – Senior Project  Your senior portfolio will show your growth as a student and document some of the choices you’ve made during your time at FBHS.

8.  Your advisory folder is important.  Keep it safe and neat.  Be sure to place all your advisory papers in this folder, even if you think you don’t need them! You will be happy your senior year when all your portfolio documents are saved and ready to go.  If you are missing something, speak to your advisory teacher now! You will need to make up papers if you can’t find them.

9.  If you have any questions or concerns about your senior portfolio, your advisory teacher is a great resource.  You should speak to your English teacher about the 9 th grade essay.  The counseling office and school administration are also great resources so be sure to get your questions answered.  Your time at FBHS is valuable.  MAKE IT COUNT!