LEAD: 2nd Semester Service Projects Guidelines and Requirements February 16th, 2018

Overall Project Requirements One of your responsibilities as a LEAD student is to make an impact in your community; for the 2nd Semester Service Project, you will do so by: Identifying a problem/need in the community that can be resolved by community service If you are a 9th grade LEAD student, you can create an original idea OR see Mr. Gosney/Mr. Beckett for opportunities at local organizations Determining a solution to fix the problem or fill the need Working collaboratively to execute your plan while documenting each step and monitoring progress Reflecting on the effectiveness of your work

Overall Project Requirements The 2nd Semester Service Project is designed to give LEAD students an opportunity to apply their skills in a meaningful and impactful way Students with successful projects will have utilized their abilities not only to be creative, organized, and discerning, but also to think critically and follow through The focus of the project is decided entirely by the student group

Basic Project Idea Example 4 students decide to work together in a group and find that they’re all interested in working with elementary-age students After doing some research and contacting the principal at Sequoia Elementary, the group finds that there is a need for weekly after school Math tutoring for approximately 15 students The group makes a schedule for when they can attend and meets with the principal to decide the best way to execute their plan

Successful Past Projects Teaching elementary students about the importance of nutrition, recycling, physical education through a combination of hands-on activities and presentations This can be done during the school day or as a part of an after school program Volunteering at local organizations such as the Society for the Blind, Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, Sacramento Food Bank, or St. John’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter Organizing a book donation drive for a school, canned food drive for a local charity, or toiletry drive for a homeless shelter

Successful Past Projects Volunteering at a preschool and helping with tasks such as cleaning, activity organization, music enrichment, or gardening Building brick benches for RHS tennis courts Creating an AP Prep Guide/running study sessions for a previous AP class Collecting fruit donations from stores and homes to donate to after school programs while teaching kids about nutrition

9th Grade Project Requirements Groups can consist of 3-6 members Each member must have a documented 5 hours towards the project (not including organizing the presentation/portfolio or writing the paper) Volunteer opportunities for groups are already in place at some organizations If you volunteer at a place like 4thR or a shelter, you need to organize something “extra” besides the regular volunteering responsibilities

10th Grade Project Requirements Groups can consist of 3-4 members Each member must have a documented 8 hours towards the project (not including organizing the presentation/portfolio or writing the paper) If you are continuing a project from last year, be sure to show how you expanded on what was completed previously If you volunteer at a place like 4thR or a shelter, you need to organize something “extra” besides the regular volunteering responsibilities

11th Grade Project Requirements Groups can consist of 2-4 members If you have an idea for an individual project, see Ms. Siegert Each member must have a documented 10 hours towards the project (not including organizing the presentation/portfolio or writing the paper) If you are continuing a project from last year, be sure to show how you expanded on what was completed previously If you volunteer at a place like 4thR or a shelter, you need to organize something “extra” besides the regular volunteering responsibilities

Overall Project Requirements Groups must submit a complete, typed proposal to Ms. Siegert by 3:00pm on Friday, March 9th Time/date stamps will be recorded A new element of the proposal this year is having parent permission from ALL groups members’ parents; if your project requires you to miss any school, you MUST get an early dismissal Each group member must be responsible for an equal share of the work required for the project and must take equal part in the Final Presentation

Overall Grading Your grade will depend on how well you plan, work collaboratively, complete your proposed idea, and present your overall project Each element of the 2nd Semester Service Project will be counted as part of your grade in both LEAD classes Presentation—100 points Portfolio—50 points Reflection Paper—50 points Group Grading—50 points

Overall Grading—Presentations To showcase your group’s project, you will give a 6-8 minute PPT presentation that chronicles your overall project to a panel of judges More specific information regarding the presentations will be given once they are closer, but all grades must plan on having their project completed by June 1st Your presentation should include Evidence of everything your group has done from the time you were approved in the form of pictures, video, email correspondence, time logs, etc. Evidence of your successes and challenges Evidence of your personal growth

Other Graded Elements Portfolio Reflection Paper Group Grading This is a binder that included the written documentation of all of the steps your group took in order to fulfill your project; only one binder is necessary per group Reflection Paper Each group member will complete this portion; it shows your personal experience with the project Group Grading This is your opportunity to reflect on the work that you and each of your group members completed

Project Pitfalls Waiting until the last minute does not work with a demanding project like this Elementary schools will be on different schedules in late April/early May for statewide testing; do not plan on completing your project during this time You should plan on having any work at elementary schools completed by mid-April While there have been some phenomenally successful projects completed by groups of BFF’s in the past, consider whether working with your closest friends is the right choice

Getting Started Determine your groups and brainstorm project ideas Research possible ideas/community needs Today is not the day to call people; you need to put more thought into your project and prepare a calling script before you do this You also need to run your idea by one of your LEAD teachers or Ms. Siegert before contacting anyone Set up a meeting with the person in charge Create/submit your proposal to Ms. Siegert as soon as you can Document EVERYTHING you do from the time you’re approved

Considerations When determining groups, consider the following: Are the skills sets of group members complementary or redundant? Are you in a group with responsible people? Is working with your closest friends the best idea? When can your group members meet outside of class to complete the project? Do not rely on your LEAD teachers giving you time in class to work on the project

Considerations If you choose to work at an elementary school, they are in session the same time we are If you choose a project like this, all group members must have parent permission to miss school in the form of an early dismissal—this does not count as a school-sponsored activity How are you going to get to your location? You need to have contacted the site and discussed your basic proposal with the person in charge before you’re approved

Considerations When calling schools, businesses, etc., you need to have written out what you want to say Begin with a proper greeting and identify yourself Ask to speak with a specific person/person in charge Be prepared to provide specific details about your project idea If you need to leave a message, be sure to determine which member of the group is the best contact person and provide a phone number The outgoing message for this voicemail should be appropriate

Considerations When emailing schools, businesses, etc., you need to be formal Begin with a salutation Identify yourself and your purpose Let them know the action you want taken (return email, call, etc.) PROOFREAD YOUR EMAIL All group members should be a part of this

GOOD LUCK 