Cienega High School
Senior Exit Project
2007-2008
Student Manual
Prepared by Cienega High School Senior Exit Project Faculty
Revised Copy: 7/9//07
Table of Contents
Letter to Seniors........................................................................................... 3
General Rules............................................................................................... 4
SEP Advisory Board/CHS Faculty Council Information................................... 5
SEP Cluster/Due Dates.................................................................................. 6
Parent Consent Form.................................................................................... 9
Mentor Confirmation Form.......................................................................... 10
Details for Student Work
Project Documentation....................................................................... 11
Project Proposal................................................................................ 12
Research Paper.................................................................................. 13
Shadowing........................................................................................ 14
Conferencing..................................................................................... 15
Portfolio........................................................................................... 16
Presentation...................................................................................... 17
Grading/Evaluations.................................................................................... 18
Mentor Logs/Final Mentor Log............................................................... 20-24
A Letter to the Seniors of Cienega High School
Dear Seniors,
Congratulations. This is the last year of high school for you and we know that it will be a year of many great accomplishments. One of those accomplishments will be the completion of your Senior Exit Project (SEP). SEP class counts as a quarter credit per semester and its grade WILL BE FACTORED INTO YOUR OVERALL GPA. This grade will also apply toward eligibility for extra-curricular activities.
The Vail School District Governing Board requires all students graduating in this district to complete the Senior Exit Project. Therefore, any student who does not successfully fulfill this requirement will not be awarded a diploma from the Vail School District.
The SEP helps you develop skills that you will be able to use in future endeavors. This project meets several of the Arizona State Standards for Senior English along with the Workplace Skills Standards.
The project is broken down into three major components: written, practical and oral. The written part of the project is comprised of a seven to twelve page critical issue research paper that demonstrates mastery of MLA format. The practical part of the project includes interviews and job shadowing hours with a mentor in the field of your choice. You will bring these together with a portfolio and a final oral presentation that will be given in front of a panel of both faculty and community members.
The Senior Exit teachers will provide every opportunity for your success. They are highly trained and prepared to guide you through your project. This packet also outlines all the requirements and expectations you must meet to complete your project successfully. We advise that you carefully read through and become familiar with this packet before you get started.
Your senior year is the perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for the future. By completing this project to the best of your ability you will be taking advantage of the opportunity we have provided to learn the skills you need for success. We look forward to working with you every step of the way.
Sincerely,
Ginnie Genovese
Rod Carrier
Noah Tonk
Senior Exit Project Coordinators
General Rules
Students must complete and pass all three components of the Senior Exit Project (written, practical, and oral). Students who do not pass all three components of the Exit Project will NOT GRADUATE.
1. Plagiarism, as per governing board policy, on ANY aspect or part of the Senior Exit Project will result in a score of 0 (zero). Plagiarism is NOT tolerated in any form!
2. The Senior Exit Project must be a “learning stretch,” not something the student already knows. Students will be expected to explain to the Board and their SEP teachers how they were challenged by the project.
3. All practicum hours MUST be documented with verification from your mentor on the Mentor Log Sheets, Final Mentor Log and the Mentor Confirmation Form with a contact and phone number. A minimum of TWENTY hours must be completed between the summer before senior year and the end of the first semester of senior year.
4. Students using school facilities for any Senior Exit Project activity must have written permission from the school administration. If a student is allowed to use school facilities, all profits from the event must be turned over to the school.
5. The school must be compensated for all expenditures related to a student’s project such as copies or school security charges.
6. Seniors are expected to complete the shadowing hours OUTSIDE THE STUDENT’S REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS. This will be documented through the Mentor Logs. Project hours completed at work must be for activities or duties well beyond the student’s regular job duties and must be shown to be a “learning stretch.” Please refer to school policy regarding absences and earned credits for graduation.
7. No joint projects are allowed. Each student must complete a project individually.
8. The Advisory Board will review all Project Proposals. Projects will not be approved for activities which are illegal, inappropriate, dangerous, or which violate school rules.
9. Materials Needed: 3 ring binder with clear slots on outside, folder for Mentor Logs, sheet protectors, tabs, and a small notebook for your reflective journal.
10. Your final draft of your research paper MUST be submitted to Turnitin.com for your English teachers, and a paper copy must also be turned into your SEP teacher.
11. NO due dates will be extended. All late work must meet basic requirements and MAY earn up to 60% of the ORIGINAL GRADE. DO NOT ASSUME THAT LATE WORK WILL RECEIVE A PASSING GRADE! If you fail any component of the Project, you will not graduate. You may be able to earn credit and receive your diploma after graduation, but you will not walk at the graduation ceremony. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DUE DATES!
12. SEP class counts as a quarter credit per semester and its grade WILL BE FACTORED INTO YOUR OVERALL GPA. This grade will also apply toward eligibility for extra-curricular activities.
SEP Advisory Board – CHS Faculty Council
The SEP Advisory Board approves or denies all Senior Exit Projects. This board is made up of faculty, parents, and community members. The Advisory Board meets approximately one week after Project Proposals and Parent Consent Forms are due. They then read each Project Proposal before voting to accept or refuse permission for the student to complete the proposed project. The CHS Faculty Council consists of a group of Cienega administrators and faculty. They hear all appeals regarding any Senior Exit Project issue and make all final decisions.
While most Exit Projects will be easily approved, there are some that may be difficult. For example, a student may want to do a project with high risk factors, which may be considered dangerous. The Advisory Board may then request further details in writing about a student’s project or may call a student to appear before the CHS Faculty Council if they feel the topic is not challenging enough or is considered dangerous or questionable. The Advisory Board will also allow a student to appeal; however, the CHS Faculty Council will make the final decision. If the CHS Faculty Council does not approve a project, the student will be required to select a new project in order to complete the Senior Exit Project graduation requirement.
Going Before the CHS Faculty Council/Appealing a Decision
If you are asked to go before the CHS Faculty Council, you should do the following:
1. Prepare a short three to five minute speech about why you should be allowed to do the project you have selected.
2. Write a position statement of 100 to 200 words explaining more details about what you wish to do for the project and why.
3. Dress professionally and be on time.
4. See a Senior Exit Project Coordinator to schedule your Faculty Council appearance.
Changing an Exit Project Topic after it has been approved
If you change the topic for your research paper or project AFTER the Advisory Board has met and approved the topics, you MUST have the CHS Faculty Council approve this change. After the Advisory Board meets in August, you may not change the topic for your project without appeal. To get this approval, you must do the following (10/8/07 is the deadline to change your topic):
1. Submit an updated Project Proposal to the Senior Exit Project Coordinators.
2. See the Senior Exit Project Coordinators to be sure they have all the necessary appeal information before the CHS Faculty Council meets.
CLUSTER: SEP Support
TEACHERS: Mr. Carrier & Mr. Tonk
CHS Library
This cluster will offer support through the entire SEP process. This cluster does not replace Senior Exit Project class, but will act as a supplement. All students who are not enrolled in a CHS Senior English class will automatically be enrolled in this cluster until the written component is completed satisfactorily. They can then be released to a cluster of their choice. All students who receive an “F” for the first semester (paper and/or portfolio) of SEP will automatically be enrolled in this cluster second semester. Teachers will provide mentoring and support in the areas of:
· Topic Selection
· Format Documents
· Finding a Mentor
· Research Paper Development
· MLA Guidelines
· Portfolio Creation/Organization
· Presentation/PowerPoint Assistance
· Additional Support as Necessary
Due Dates and Project Timeline
Research Paper Due – November 28, 2007
Portfolio Due –December 7, 2007
Senior Project Presentations – May 7-9, 2008
NO due dates will be extended. All late work must meet basic requirements and MAY earn up to 60% of the ORIGINAL GRADE. DO NOT ASSUME THAT LATE WORK WILL RECEIVE A PASSING GRADE! If you fail any component of the Project, you will not graduate. You may be able to earn credit and receive your diploma after graduation, but you will not walk at the graduation ceremony. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DUE DATES!
August 2007
q Read Senior Exit Project Manual
q Begin keeping a reflective journal of your project. Document subjective observations of the project as you go along throughout the year
q Week of August 6-10: Parental Consent Form Deadline
q August 20: Project Proposal Deadline
q August 23: Advisory Board meets to review Project Proposals and approve or deny projects. If your Project Proposal has not been submitted, your Project WILL NOT be approved and you may not begin! (See Appeal process).
September 2007
q Discussion of portfolio requirements in SEP class
q Continue project reflective journal
q Find a mentor (required)
q Week of Sept. 17-21: Mentor Confirmation Form Deadline
q Weeks of Sept. 10-21: Your mentor must have contacted your SEP teacher (email or phone). This may be completed during conferencing in SEP class, if applicable. Otherwise, it is your responsibility to assure this is completed. [Summer shadowing students excused]
q Select a person to be your primary source interview for research paper
q Draft your questions for your interview and have your SEP teacher review them (20 questions: 10 about career, 10 about research paper topic)
q Arrange an interview date and conduct your interview of your primary source
October 2007
q More discussion of portfolio requirements in SEP class
q Attend Mr. Carrier and Mr. Tonk’s Cluster for extra support
q Continue project reflective journal
q Week of Oct 8-12: Topic Change Deadline
q Week of Oct. 8-12: Interview Transcript Deadline
November 2007
q November 28: Research paper due (Submit to turnitin.com for English/Paper copy for SEP teacher)
q Continue project reflective journal
q Attend Mr. Carrier and Mr. Tonk’s Cluster for extra support
December 2007
q Week of Dec. 3-7: Mentor Logs AND Final Mentor Log sheet Deadline
q Week of Dec. 3-7: Thank you (business letter) Deadline
q December 7: Portfolio Deadline to pass 1st semester SEP. No late portfolios accepted.
q Begin to discuss expectations for presentations
q Begin writing oral presentation with PowerPoint (required)
q Make appointment w/ SEP teacher for 1st round of practice presentations
q Continue project reflective journal
q Attend Mr. Carrier and Mr. Tonk’s Cluster for extra support
January 2008
q Students who failed portfolio and/or research paper will be moved into SEP Cluster
q Discussion of speech writing and presentations continue
q Begin practice presentations with peer editing
q Continue project reflective journal
February 2008
q Continue practice presentations with peer editing
q Continue project reflective journal
March 2008
q Week of March 3-7: Complete 1st round of practice presentations
q Begin final SEP class presentations
q Continue project reflective journal
April 2008
q Final SEP class presentations completed in SEP class
q Continue project reflective journal
May 2008
q Touch-ups on presentations and PowerPoints
q Complete project reflective journal
q May 7, 8, 9 – Community Presentations (May 6 may be added depending on size of graduating class). You are responsible for making sure that you have no other obligations for these dates.
Cienega High School
Senior Exit Project
Parent Consent Form
Must Be Returned By August 10, 2007
As a Parent/Guardian of __________________________________________, a senior at Cienega High School, I am aware that my son/daughter must complete and pass the three phases of the Senior Exit Project (written, presentation, and practicum) in order to graduate. For the practicum part of the project my son/daughter has chosen to shadow in the career of:
I understand that my son/daughter must complete this project and I agree to release the school district and its employees from all claims arriving from financial obligation incurred, or damage, injury, or accident suffered while my son/daughter participates in the project that he/she has chosen. I also understand that there will be EXTRA HOURS AWAY FROM SCHOOL HOURS in order for my son/daughter to complete parts of the Senior Exit Project.
I UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER WILL NOT GRADUATE IF THE SENIOR EXIT PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED AND CREDIT EARNED AS DESCRIBED.
Parent/Guardian Information
Print Name: _________________________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________
Phone: _________________________________________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________________________________________
Student Information
Print Name: _________________________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________
** Cienega High School urges seniors to consider the safety factor when selecting their projects. The Advisory Board must approve all Senior Exit Projects. Projects will not be approved for activities which the Advisory Board determines to be illegal, inappropriate, dangerous, or which violate school rules and/or district policies.
Mentor Confirmation Form
Dear Mentor,
Thank you so very much for your willingness to be a mentor for a senior at Cienega High School. Each senior is required to complete a Senior Exit Project in which he/she shadows a professional in a career field of choice for a minimum of 20 hours. The objective is for the student to gain first hand experience of the career. Many of our students make lifelong decisions based on these shadowing hours.
We are asking that you as a mentor will agree to do a few things to assist us in this process. Please make sure that you complete all of the following:
1. Please sign and return this form with the student.
2. Please contact the student’s Senior Exit Project teacher via phone or email by 9/21/07 so that the SEP teacher knows you, and you can work together through the process to enhance student learning. (Your student should have given you contact info for his/her SEP teacher.) [SUMMER SHADOWING MENTORS EXCUSED]
3. As you are mentoring, please sign the Mentor Logs each time you meet with your student. When you have finished mentoring, please sign the Final Mentor Log confirming the number of hours that the student spent shadowing as well as some of the activities that were completed.
Again, we want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help us teach our students. We know that your input is such a valuable piece of their experience in this project. Most of our students discuss how much they loved their shadowing experience when they present their projects at the end of the year. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the student’s SEP teacher or any of the Senior Project Coordinators.
Sincerely,
Ginnie Genovese, Rod Carrier, Noah Tonk
Senior Exit Project Coordinators
Mentor Name ___________________________________________________________
Company Name ___________________________________________________________
Mentor Phone ___________________________________________________________
Mentor Email ___________________________________________________________
I agree to mentor _________________________ in the career of _________________________
for a minimum of 20 hours before the end of December.
Mentor Signature ________________________ Date ________________________
Project Documentation
Use the Mentor Logs provided to document the hours completed on your practicum as well as a separate journal of reflective writing on your Senior Exit Project experience. The Mentor Logs are used as an objective description of your shadowing experience. Mentors MUST sign after every session. Document everything. When you have completed the minimum of twenty hours, your mentor must fill out the FINAL MENTOR LOG sheet provided. This proves that you completed all the hours required by the project. Documentation of your experience is one of the most important aspects of your Senior Exit Project grade. You must also keep a reflective journal in your 70-page spiral notebook. This is a subjective view of your thoughts through the year.
Your Mentor Logs should include the following for each day:
1. Date/Time (to document shadowing took place OUTSIDE normal school day)
2. Amount of Project Time Today
3. Activities Completed Today
4. Resources used, Problems faced, Solutions, and Evaluation
5. MENTOR SIGNATURE
Your Reflective Journal should include the following:
1. Date
2. Feelings/Observations about experiences relating to the SEP, for example:
q Was your mentor easy to find? How did you feel approaching him/her?
q Was it a good day or bad day of shadowing? Why?
q How is your research paper coming along? What changes, if any, did you have to make? What adjustments?
q How is your PowerPoint presentation developing?
q How do you feel about your oral presentation? Is it improving as you practice? Did you get helpful feedback? What was it and how did you adjust your presentation?
q How did the community presentation go? Was the SEP a positive or negative experience at the end of your high school career? What did you learn about yourself?
The Final Mentor Log is simply a form that the mentor fills out verifying that you have completed the twenty hours required. You may choose to shadow for more than twenty hours.
Your Project Documentation should clearly show statements required, such as:
1. Your practical component (practicum) is unique, unlike all other projects, including practicums from previous years. It is one of a kind.
2. Information learned in the paper was applied in the practicum. The practicum clearly applies to the research paper.
3. Resources, including the mentor, were used effectively.
4. Problems were solved effectively and activities were built on previous activities.
5. A list of difficulties or problems and what the student did to correct them is thorough.
6. The practicum was a “learning stretch.”
7. In finishing the practicum, much was learned.
8. Steps were included in the planning process and preparation of the practicum activities.
9. Activities were completed during the practicum.
10. Conferences with teachers
** NOTE: All of these statements should be clearly addressed in a variety of ways throughout your portfolio and in conferences with your SEP teacher.
Project Proposal
(AZ Standard – Strand 3, Concept 3, PO 1a)
This document MUST be typed in 12 pt., Times New Roman font, and double-spaced between sections. Your Senior English Teacher will also be covering proper formatting and content. The following is a list of requirements for the proposal. (Summer shadowing students may be required to rewrite their project proposal according to their English teacher’s instructions). It should be formatted as follows:
Introduction: Date, to whom, from whom, subject of your project, and subject of your paper.
Objective: Explain what you will be doing while shadowing in your specific field. Explain what you hope to accomplish by doing your project.
Topic: Write your proposed topic for your research paper. It must be a critical issue in the field you are interested in.
Purpose: Explain why you chose this particular career. Explain what knowledge will be gained through completion of this project. Then you need to explain why this is so important for you. Be sure to include information about your shadowing, paper, and presentation here.
Budget: Outline the projected cost expenditure for the project. List every possible expenditure you think you may incur as a result of completing your project. Be sure to include the cost for the use of school facilities and employees if needed.
Timeline: Make a timeline of the events and steps it will take to complete your project. Tell when you completed the elements and when you anticipate completing the rest of them. Use your Due Dates and Project Timeline page to assist you if needed. Summer shadowing students use your Mentor Logs and Reflective journal to complete your timeline.
Research Paper Rules and Format
(AZ Standard – Strand 3, Concept 6, PO 1)
You must successfully complete a proper research paper, in accordance with the standards outlined in this packet, in order to pass your Senior Exit Project and graduate.
1. Your topic MUST address a critical issue related to your career field, but not about the job itself.
Acceptable Examples:
1. If you are doing a project on pediatric nursing, a possible paper topic could be “The Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.”
2. If you are doing a project on elementary education, a possible paper topic could be “No Child Left Behind Legislation.”
3. If you are doing a project on physical therapy, a possible paper topic could be “Rehabilitation of the Knee.”
4. If you are doing a project on law enforcement, a possible paper topic could be “Police (should/should not) be able to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists without a warrant.”
Unacceptable Examples:
1. Any paper regarding “How to become a ….”
2. Any paper regarding “Schooling needed to become a…”
3. Any paper regarding “How much money is made by a …”
4. Any paper regarding “A day in the life of a…”
5. Any paper regarding “The history of…….”
2. Proper MLA format, found in your Cienega Writing Handbook, must be used. No paper will be accepted that does not follow this format. All papers must include the following
- Title page
- 7 – 12 page paper (not including Title or Works Cited pages)
- Works Cited Page
3. Sources:
a. Minimum of five sources
i. One primary source – interview
ii. At least four secondary sources
1. A MINIMUM of THREE print sources must be used. Sources found on the CHS library databases are counted as print sources, as they are databases of PUBLISHED materials. Reputable internet sources will be accepted in addition to the minimum print requirement.
2. No more than one general reference encyclopedia, including online encyclopedias, may be used as a source.
4. Parenthetical citations within the paper must follow MLA format and be a mixture of paraphrasing, summarizing, and direct quotes.
5. Rough drafts must include ALL parts required for final draft.
6. ALL sources and materials MUST be available whenever required by Senior Exit teacher.
7. All papers MUST be submitted electronically to turnitin.com for your English teacher, as well as a printed copy brought in for your SEP teacher and portfolio.
Shadowing
Mentors
Mentors are required for all CHS Senior Exit Projects. Each student should select a mentor who has experience in the project area and can provide guidance in completing the project. Members of your family (immediate or extended) MAY NOT be mentors.
When selecting a mentor, consider the following questions:
1. Will the mentor have the time to help me?
2. Does the mentor have information I can use in my research paper or project?
3. Will the mentor give me support and encouragement?
4. Will the mentor be able to verify the hours I spend on the project?
5. Will I be able to interview the mentor as my primary source for my research paper, or will the mentor be able to help me locate someone else to interview?
You will be required to have your mentor complete the following three things:
1. Complete the Mentor Confirmation Form
2. Contact your SEP teacher by phone or email [Summer mentors excused]
3. Have your mentor sign all Mentor Logs AND Final Mentor Log – See the Project Documentation section on page12). PLEASE HAVE YOUR MENTOR INDICATE WHETHER THEY WILL BE INTERESTED IN MENTORING AGAIN.
The mentor may terminate the relationship if you are not meeting with him/her regularly or not participating fully on the project. If your mentor terminates the relationship, you MUST report it to your SEP teacher immediately.
Practicum Hours
Twenty hours is the minimum number in order to pass the practicum portion of the Senior Exit Project. You will most likely be involved in more than 20 hours and 40 hours is not unusual. All seniors will be doing the project phase early in the year or during the summer. Plan wisely. An extensive amount of hours are required for an outstanding project.
Conferencing
You are to add all conference meetings that are held to your reflective journal. You must have the following information for each conference:
1. Date and Time
2. Name of teacher with whom you had a conference
3. Signature/Initials of teacher
4. Information regarding what was discussed during the conference
NOTE: Some of these conferences will be held during classes and some will be conferences that either you or your teachers schedule.
REMEMBER THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE YOUR MENTOR CONTACT YOUR SEP TEACHER (BY EMAIL OR PHONE) BY SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. Include the date this occurred in your reflective journal as documentation.
Senior Exit Project Teacher
Required conferences with your SEP teacher are essential. You should conference with him/her at least once every other week regarding all of the following:
1. Planning and action stages of your practicum
2. Review of all written pieces of the project to be submitted
3. Review of portfolio progress throughout the year
4. Review of journal progress throughout the year
5. Review of your visual aides for presentation
6. Practice oral presentation evaluations
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