Senior Project Update

1. Senior Project Update May 23rd, 2013 Andrew Schwebke- Student Learning Susan Jones- Black Hills High School Jana Tyrell- Tumwater High School

2. Black Hills High School BHHS had 100% of graduating seniors present at their interview. 164 interviews were scheduled. 4seniors had to present a second time. 4non-grads chose not to participate. “I liked the idea of all seniors being required to present on these two days. We all had to prepare without the fallback option of being able to do it on a different date and time. The process was efficient and effective. Ashley Aarts, BHHS senior One third of all juniors took advantage of the opportunity to sit in on an interview. (Some sat in for multiple presentations)

3. Luke Proctor will be attending Abilene Christian College where he plans on a getting a degree in Linguistics. He is currently taking three foreign languages at BHHS. His presentation consisted of a saxophone solo which he played at an audition during a visit at ACC and received a $12,000 Instrumental Non-Major Scholarship.

4. For their visual aids, our students: Played a variety of musical instruments Sang A cappella and with accompaniment. Performed different styles of dance Presented visual art pieces including: paintings, photography and a welding project. Showed off their fashion designs. Used PowerPoint / poster boards to show their talents as: Student athletes Certified Rock Climber and Master Ocean Diver Eagle Scout Projects….. ….and much more.

5. 100% of Certified Staff participated in the presentation process, many for the first time. Instructors and Educational Staff also provided educational support. • Teachers made themselves available to students who wanted extra help. • “I was able to do a make-up or replacement lab for the students that had missed previous labs, as well as do additional instruction for struggling students, and those who had missed a large amount of classes”. • Mr. Valz- Chemistry Instructor • Computer Lab was available to students while monitored by staff. • Some students spent this time working on their COE while monitored by staff.

6. The library was open for students- •    ” During the two half days given for seniors to present their culminating projects the library was open regular hours (7:00am to 3:15pm) and saw it filled with seniors working on their presentations and lower classmen using the time to work on assignments or read for pleasure. It was a quiet study time used effectively by all.” • Deb Nickerson- BHHS Librarian • Counseling Center was open for normal school hours- • Underclassmen spent one on one with their counselor on their upcoming • 2013 class schedule. • Freshman worked on their 4-Year Plan. • Many students used this time to participate in community service opportunities.

7. Tumwater High School 100% Faculty and Staff involvement! • Only 4 students were not successful on their first attempt, but all met the standard on their 2nd.

8. Perspectives • Many staff members who were new to this process commented on how fantastic the experience was and were sorry they had not previously participated. • Advocates express gratitude that they were asked to come and support students • It’s impossible to describe the pride and excitement students feel after having both successfully met the standard and been given the opportunity to share their, sometimes very personal, stories with their teachers. • Juniors now have a firsthand observation of how the Senior Presentations work and what the expectations are for fulfilling this graduation requirement.

9. Rachel Howard will either attend Gonzaga on a full-ride ROTC scholarship or George Fox University where she was offered a 13,000/year scholarship. She plans to serve other by becoming a nurse.

10. Planning for 2013-14 • Based on the success this year, our staff would like to continue using 2 early release days in March to complete Senior Presentations.