Class of 2014 Graduation Project

Each school district (including charter schools) shall specify requirements for graduation in the strategic plan under state statute 4.13 (relating to strategic planning). Requirements shall include course completion and grades, completion of a culminating project and results of local assessments aligned with the academic standards. … The purpose of the culminating project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding. Rationale In Other words: Prove that you can take an idea from it’s beginning stages all the way through to a finished product and report back on what you’ve accomplished

Basic Requirements Faculty Advisor/Community Mentor –Required to begin the project –Requested by Student, approved by Mr. Skaluba Project Design –All projects are student designed, student oriented –All projects must be tied to a community organization Time Commitment –30 hours time commitment –Maintain a log of hours –Hours must be non-paid –Hours must not occur during scheduled school hours Presentation –Present to faculty advisor, community mentor and one other faculty member –Present before the assigned deadline! –Showcase the project

Getting the most out of your graduation project Be original Go the extra mile Build your resume with career related experiences Do something, learn something, build something that you will remember for a lifetime.

Community Connection Your project must be tied into a community organization in some way. You can commit your time or your talents to a community organization. A list of possible connections can be found in Appendix A of the handbook.

Advisors, Deadlines, and Study Hall Advisors will be assigned in a quasi –random way –You request three –We do a random sort of all students –Advisor requests will be referenced and assigned in order of the random sort. –No faculty member will have more than three students per class. Deadline assignment will follow advisor assignment –You got first choice of advisors, you get first deadline –All deadlines will fall between March 1 st and May 1 st of the junior year. –You may NOT participate in graduation if you do not meet your deadline. Study Hall –Your study hall proctor will now serve as an extra “check” on your progress and as a resource to bounce your ideas off of.

The Process Step 1 – Advisor assignment Step 2 – Idea Development Step 3 – Carry out the project Step 4 – Prepare your presentation Step 5 – Present Analyze Apply Synthesize & Evaluate Communicate Understanding

Timeline This Week: –Brainstorm and ask questions By Monday –Request advisor Right now: turn to page 5 Semester One Quarter Three Quarter Four 11 th grade

Evaluation Student projects will be evaluated by the faculty advisor, the community mentor and one other faculty member chosen by the student. Areas to be assessed: – Research & Content –Organization –Presentation –Presentation Materials –Question & Answer –Log

Non-Completion Progress letter sent home to parent when progress is inadequate Failure to present by the deadline will result in non-participation in the graduation ceremony Failure to complete a graduation project will result in failure to graduate

Questions? ?

Project Ideas Community Service –Volunteer at Sullivan County Historical Museum –Assist in planning a county health fair, fund raiser, renaissance faire, foliage festival etc. Research Projects –Oral history of Sullivan County (partner with County Commissioners) Career Related –Entrepreneurship-establishing and presenting your own business (Community Connection – Chamber of Commerce) –Job Shadowing

More Ideas Creative/Hands on Work Create and produce a public service announcement for a community organization. Find a solution to a local problem, i.e. attracting an industry to Sullivan County and work with appropriate local authority Write a collection of short stories, a children’s book with illustrations, a volume of poetry, etc. and partner with the local library or Tuesday Book Club. Hold a one-person art show or music recital and partner with a local organization such as the women’s club, senior citizens center etc. Create an original piece of music and partner with the music club. Build/Maintain a website for a community organization Build a piece of furniture, a deck, a sign, a picnic table etc. for an organization in need. Contact the Association for Retired Citizens and volunteer car maintenance services.

What’s next… Turn your faculty advisor and community mentor request into the guidance office by September 26 th Brainstorm at home and in the community Do not begin your project until a faculty advisor has been assigned and the required approvals have been obtained

Quiz What types of projects can you complete? –Creative, community service, research etc. How many hours are required? –30 How many people must be at your presentation? –3–3