Senior Project: You’ve Got This!

Why Senior Project?  Because providing a service is good for you and good for the community  Because there is life beyond high school  Because it is a district and state requirement for graduation

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Meet Your Project

Service Project  This is the most straightforward project you can choose.  Find a non-profit organization that needs your help.  Volunteer your time.  You must volunteer and document a minimum of 25 hours.

Project #1 – Volunteering at PAWS (Service)  Heidi volunteered at PAWS two hours per week. To make this a greater learning stretch, she coordinated an “adoption day” at Greenlake in Seattle. “Say hello to my new boyfriend – and this one is a keeper!!”

Product/Service Project  You want to make or produce something in line with your interests and talents  Your product must benefit a non-profit organization  You can spend a minimum of 15 hours developing your product and 10 hours of service on site at the same non-profit

Project #2 – Designing and Building a Fish Pond (Product)  Jordan designed, planned, and built a fish pond with a waterfall for a local community center. “We want a pond! We want a pond!”

Event/Service Project  You want to plan and coordinate an event  Your event must benefit a non-profit organization  You can spend a minimum of 15 hours planning and coordinating 10 hours of service on site at the same non-profit

Project #3 – Fundraiser Dinner for Mercy Corps and Darfur (Event) Megan planned, prepared and hosted a benefit spaghetti dinner to raise money for the people of Darfur. The dinner took place at her church. She created a slideshow for the dinner that educated the guests about Darfur and Mercy Corps. She also volunteered 10 hours with Mercy Corps.

What Can I Do?  PAWS  Habitat for Humanity  Clothes for Kids  Lynnwood Food Bank  Boys and Girls Clubs  Purrfect Pals  Schools (other than MHS)  Religious organizations (your church, mosque, synagogue, temple)  Any organization that serves the community

What’s a non-profit? A nonprofit organization (NPO) is an organization that does not issue stock shares or distribute money to owners or shareholders, but instead uses the funds to help achieve its goals. Examples of NPOs include charities (i.e., charitable organizations), trade unions, trade associations and public arts organizations.

School Based Projects The Big Four: Blood Drive Freedom of Expression Night Empty Bowls Project Arts Week

A staff member may be able to help you with an academic service project that could change your life! Ask around!

What Can’t You Do?  Absolutely no partner projects. This is a time to assert your individuality.  You cannot volunteer to help a for-profit business or organization.  District policy says you can’t do anything that may pose a risk to your health and safety, endanger others, or would make the lawyers nervous.

Like What?  no hang-gliding, no bungee jumping, no working with needles, no deep sea diving, no guns, no knives, no bow staffs, no white water kayaking, no ritual animal sacrifices.

What If You Already Volunteer?  You rock.  You can stick with your organization, but take on a new challenge!  You cannot double dip. And yes, we check.  You cannot count hours towards your 25 until you proposal has been approved.

How Can You Find a Project?  

The Proposal  A form that establishes the idea for the project and some basic plans, including your site supervisor/mentor.  Due Date: Friday, November 8 (October 25 for school based projects)  You don’t have to wait. Get your project approved early.  Once your proposal is approved, you are ready to get started.

Site Supervisor Contract  This is a formal commitment from your supervisor or mentor. This person will be responsible for evaluating your work as a volunteer.  Contract is due Friday, November 8, with your proposal.

Research Presentation  English 12 students will research their organization and an issue that the organization addresses in January.  This research and the short presentation will then be incorporated into the final presentation in May.  This is optional for AP students, but all students must know their organization well and speak about it in their presentations.

Letter of Reflection/ Documentation Portfolio  The final evaluation of your project – a panel of teachers will read through your portfolio and determine whether your project meets or exceeds the standard.  Portfolios are due Friday, April 17 th at 7:30 a.m.

Final Presentation  A 20 minute presentation to a panel of staff, students, and community members. This is your opportunity to present your project and tell the panel about your experience.  Presentation Dates: May 20 and 22

Grades and Graduation  Senior Project as a graduation requirement is pass/fail. All components must be complete in order to pass.  Your proposal and your letter of reflection are written assignments in your English 12 class, but not in AP Literature and Composition

Resources for Your Project  The Senior Project page of the MHS website  Your English teacher  Mrs. Joyce Johnson

So What Now?