West-Oak High School

West-Oak High School – Senior Project
West-Oak High School

Senior Project Manual
2009-2010
Dr. Scott Smith, Principal
_____________________, Senior Project Coordinator
Questions and Answers for Parents, Students, and

Community
1. What is a Senior Project?
The Senior Project is an in-depth, school-to-work assignment that includes
steps that must be completed during each year of high school. Students use
the knowledge and skills that they have acquired through their twelve years
of education to complete components that will be included in career-related

research, writing a career research paper, an annotated bibliography, and a
portfolio. In addition, a student will present their final project before a panel
and identify what training or education they will need to achieve their career
goals.
2. Is the Senior Project required for graduation in SDOC?

Currently, no. To receive a diploma from West-Oak High School, however, it
is necessary. The Senior Project has been implemented as part of our
involvement with High Schools That Work. Many districts across the nation
require the completion of similar projects before a diploma is issued.
3. If a student transfers to West-Oak High from another school during senior

year, is the student still responsible for completing the Senior Project
requirements?
Yes, the student will receive guidance in how to complete the requirements
from his/her Senior Project Advisor.
4. What are the benefits of doing a Senior Project?

The student decides on a career focus and with research and first-hand
experience, he/she can decide if this is really the career for him/her. The
student also develops time management strategies, communication skills,
and understanding of how academic skills are connected to the future career
and what further training or education is needed. While completing the
Senior Project, students have received additional benefits such as
recommendation letters, future jobs, and scholarships.
5. If my student has a question about Senior Project, who should he/she talk to
at school?
Each student will have a Senior Project Advisor at school who can answer
questions and provide guidance on the process.
Parents who have specific questions about student progress on the Senior
Project should also contact the students’ Advisor.
6. Who is the Senior Project Mentor (SPM)?

The Senior Project Mentor is an adult (21+) who is currently employed in the
career field that the student aspires to explore. Mentors provide students
with real-world opportunities for experiences such as interviewing, job-
shadowing, and internships. The student may not be related to the SPM, and
may not receive financial gain for their mentoring hours.
7. What can I expect my student to be doing?

Freshmen –students select and narrow a topic from their chosen career
cluster in Guidance, write a formal business letter to the Senior Project
Coordinator explaining his/her intentions, create working annotated
bibliography of career, create electronic portfolio on school network.
Sophomores – write personal essay on career intentions, path, . Papers will
be 3-5 pages in length. English II teachers may utilize whatever
organizational methods they wish (Outline, Note cards, etc) for the actual
writing process. Papers should be in MLA format, typed, in 12 point Times
New Roman font. Margins will be 1”. The paper will discuss Goals, Means,
Education, Plan, and other necessary considerations for achieving the
selected career, and what it entails. Essays will become part of the Senior
Portfolio.
Juniors –students will develop a professional, typed resume demonstrating
the education and experience they anticipate gaining before they reach their
career goal. Students will then participate in formal “practice” interview, in
class, using their resumes. At the end of the Junior year, students will
identify and confirm their mentor by turning in a signed Mentor Consent
Form.
Seniors – Seniors will complete Mentor Hours, performing 15 hours of
shadowing / mentoring with this person. They will keep a log of their time
with their mentor. They must put in at least three different visits that total
15 hours. Students will complete an electronic media visual (PowerPoint,
movie, website), and present to their panel in the Spring. After the
presentation, students will write a two page culminating personal response.
8. As a parent, what can I do to help my student?

Parents have reported assisting in many ways: by checking with their
students to see if they are meeting deadlines, (see forthcoming website)
discussing the benefits of doing the Senior Project with their students,
reading their students’ essays, driving students to the library, helping
students to locate mentors, acting as an “audience” so the student can
practice the presentation, and generally being supportive and positive.
9. If a parent/guardian has a general question about Senior Project, who should

he/she contact?
Senior Project Coordinator Mrs. Lisa Martin
Senior English Teachers Mr. Dee Tindal
htindal@oconee.k12.sc.us
Mrs. Angela Lee
alee@oconee.k12.sc.us
Mr. David Dennis
ddennis@oconee.k12.sc.us
Mrs. April Hale
aprilh@oconee.k12.sc.us
The 4 P’s: Successful Completion of Senior

Project
The Paper
1. 3-5, typed, double-spaced pages in 12-point type, Times New Roman font
2. Two copies of final paper (one for grading, one for portfolio)
3. Five sources minimum (One must be your mentor.)
4. MLA documentation
5. One-inch margins
6. Works Cited page
7. Mixture of writer's words, quotes, and paraphrases
8. Free from plagiarism (plagiarism = automatic failure on paper)
10. Turned in on or before due date
The Project
1. Minimum of three contacts with mentor (10 hours total)
2. Time log required
3. Photographic record of project progress with you in some pictures, to be
included in visual
4. Project related to career
5. Project completed by student…NOT by mentor
6. Must be technologically substantial (video, PowerPoint, etc). Posters or Boards
are NOT acceptable.
The Portfolio
1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. Letter of intent
4. Resume
5. Annotated Bibliography
6. Personal Career Essay
7. Time Logs
8. Mentor Consent
9. Additional documentation of project (pictures)
10.Final Evaluation Essay
** Note: The Portfolio may take the form of an E-Portfolio done online.
The Presentation
1. Eight-to-ten minute time limit
2. Judged on content, delivery, and professionalism
3. Presenter appropriately and professionally dressed
4. Electronic Media required
5. Class practice presentation prior to panel presentation
6. Copies of portfolio available to panel
Completing the Senior Project in Four Years

Students will begin working on the Senior Project as freshman at West-Oak High
School. All items will become part of the culminating portfolio. All assignments will
also be part of the student’s regular English grade. The following is a breakdown of
their expectations by year.
Level The Student Will…

English I In the 9th grade, students select and narrow a topic. They will select from
their chosen career cluster, as kept on file by the Guidance Department.
English I teachers will have students write a formal business letter to the
Senior Project Coordinator explaining their intentions. This letter will be
graded by the English I instructor, and kept on file by the Senior Project
Coordinator. English I teachers will also teach Library / Research skills and
how to create a bibliography. Students will make copies, take notes, and
finalize their bibliography. Students will begin researching their career –
accumulating source material. English I teachers will take-up a certain
amount of these sources and upon completion, these will be sent to
English II instructors.
In the 10th grade, students will actually write their research paper. Papers
will be 3-5 pages in length. English II teachers may utilize whatever
organizational methods they wish (Outline, Note cards, etc) for the actual
writing process. Papers should be in MLA format, typed, in 12 point Times
English II New Roman font. Margins will be 1”. The paper will discuss Goals, Means,
Education, Plan, and other necessary considerations for achieving the
selected career, and what it entails. Papers will be graded by English II
teachers following the 6+1 rubric, and counted as part of their English II
grade. Graded papers will be placed in the student’s Electronic Portfolio.
In the 11th grade, students will create resumes, based on their research
papers and career aspirations. English III instructors will teach the
appropriate way to create a resume, and students will be expected to
English III develop a professional, typed resume demonstrating the education and
experience they anticipate gaining before they reach their career goal.
Students will then participate in some sort of professional interview
activity, in class, using their resumes. This will allow students to use their
career knowledge orally, prepare themselves for an interview, and learn
about appropriate interview attire.
Seniors will do Mentor Hours, same as we do now. They will find a mentor,
have this person give their consent via the Mentor Consent Form, and
perform 15 hours of shadowing / mentoring with this person. They will
keep a log of their time with their mentor. They must put in at least three
different visits that total 15 hours. English IV teachers will allow students
time and assist in the completion of the student’s visual, and do practice
English IV
presentations in class. Students will present to their panel in the Spring,
and write a two page culminating personal response. The presentation will
be assessed by the judges, and recorded as an English IV grade. Students
must pass their presentation to participate in Commencement exercises.
The personal response will be graded by English IV instructors, and also
counted towards their English IV grade.
Senior Project Committees
Administrative Committee
The VISION MAKERS and PROGRAM FORMERS. They structure how the program will
work.
WHO:
♦ An administrator
♦ 2 - 3 staff members from different curriculum areas
♦ English Department Head or Senior Project Coordinator
♦ No more than 5 individuals
DUTIES:
1. Maintaining the vision and clarity of purpose for the Senior Project.
2. Ensuring that faculty support, especially in regard to Senior Project Advisors, is
as it should be.
3. Communicating to staff [in-services], seniors [orientation], and parents
[orientation].
4. Selecting a community coordinator and establishing the duties of the

community coordinator.
5. Working with English Dept. Head / Senior Project Coordinator in:
a. Selection and training of judges prior to presentations.
b. Scheduling staff and community for presentation / portfolio viewing.
1. Approval of Advisory Board decisions
THE STEERING COMMITTEE MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH ALL ASPECTS of

SENIOR PROJECT. THIS COMMITTEE OVERSEES THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
ADVISORY BOARD
A philosophical group that acts as Supreme Court.
WHO:
♦ All current Senior Advisors, from different curriculum areas. Every teacher will
serve on this committee once every four years.
♦ Senior Project Coordinator
♦ Administrator(s) with power
♦ Guidance Representative
PROTOCOL:
♦ They make the “hard calls” and “tough decisions,” such as ethical questions,
cheating decisions, extensions of deadlines, and transfer students.
♦ They take the logistical classroom teacher out of the line of fire.
♦ They make decisions based on majority rule.
♦ They cannot talk outside of the group, except to English IV teachers, who are
directly involved with the organization of the culminating presentation.
♦ They act as a team; all decisions are team decisions.
♦ They keep the goals of the program in mind as well as parameters of school
policy.
DUTIES:
♦ They keep good records.
♦ They decide questions of accountability.
♦ They move the logistical teacher and classroom teachers out of the line of fire.
♦ They decide upon extensions of deadline decisions; file form and appeal to the
board.
♦ They decide upon ethical questions, such as cheating.
♦ They decide upon transfer students.

Senior Project Advisors

Work directly with students during all aspects of the project.
WHO:
♦ Any teacher who has 12th grade advisees.
♦ Every advisor will at some time serve as an SPA.
DUTIES:
♦ Guide one group of seniors each.
♦ Students meet with advisor by appointment. Senior Project Advisors must make
every effort to oblige.
♦ Receive documents, and be aware of deadlines. The majority of work will be
held electronically in portfolio.
♦ Difficult decisions can be sent to the Advisory Board for clarification. Seek the
student’s English IV teacher before contacting the Senior Project Coordinator.
♦ Guide students with problems.

♦ Help with resources.
♦ Help with refining portfolio.
Parent Information Letter

Dear Parent or Guardian,
As your son or daughter may have indicated to you, Senior Project is a component
of all English classes at West-Oak High School. It allows each senior the opportunity
to demonstrate his/her years of educational experience in reading, writing,
speaking, accessing information, thinking, self-discipline, problem solving, and
organization. These skills will be showcased in a four-part process, consisting of the
following components:
• A typed, annotated bibliography of research.
• A research paper based on previously documented information.
• A resume based on career and educational aspirations
• 15 Hours of shadowing with a mentor in a chosen career path

• An electronic portfolio documenting the entire process
• An oral presentation that synthesizes all components and is given before a
review board composed of faculty, district staff, and community members
• A final reflective essay on the entire process
To be successful, your son/daughter must successfully complete all components of
the project. The Senior Project Presentation Grade, to be determined in the spring of
their senior year, will take the place of your son’s/daughter’s 2nd Semester English
IV Exam grade. Failure to complete a Senior Project, or produce a successful
(passing) Senior Project, will result in a conference with the Administrative
Committee to determine how to proceed. Examples of consequences may range
from revision of the project up to failure of English IV, and consequentially, the
inability to graduate.
For successful completion of the Senior Project, your son or daughter cannot rely
solely upon what he/she already knows, but must demonstrate an aspect of new
learning and growth. Prior knowledge is the Senior Project foundation;
demonstration of new learning is the glue.
If you have any questions, please call ____________________, Senior Project

Coordinator, at 886-4530.
Sincerely,
_________________________________
XXXXXXXX
Senior Project Coordinator
Parental Consent Form

As Parent / Guardian of _______________________________________, a student at West-

Oak High School, I understand and agree to the following:
• Completion of the Senior Project is not optional. ALL students receiving a
diploma from West-Oak High School will have successfully completed a Senior
Project.
• I understand that the Senior Project process spans all fou-r years of English
coursework at West-Oak, and that any incomplete work MUST be completed by
the time my child presents his/her final portfolio during the Spring of his/her
senior year.
• Electronic Portfolios will be maintained on the in-school network of West-Oak
High School. Files cannot be accessed from home or elsewhere without
personally making arrangements, such as through a jump drive, email, etc.
• I understand that my child must put in at least 10 hours with a mentor in their
desired career field. All travel and time arrangements are my responsibility. I
will make sure that the hours are completed by the noted deadline. Financial
issues should be addressed by the Advisory Committee.
• I understand that a computer is a vital instrument in the successful completion

of the Senior Project, and my child’s education. If a computer is not available at
home, I understand that the West-Oak Library has computers available before
and after school, free of charge. Additionally, I understand that any local public
library can provide usage as well.
• I understand that any complaints or problems I have with the Senior Project
should be directed to the Senior Project Advisory Board, via the Senior Project
Coordinator. I am aware that neither my child’s English teacher nor their Senior
Project Advisor has the authority to make any changes to the Senior Project
requirements or schedule.
Parent / Guardian Signature:

_____________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________ Phone:

_______________________________________
Email:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Student Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Student’s Senior Project Advisor:

__________________________________________________________
SENIOR PROJECT THESIS/MENTOR APPROVAL FORM

DUE: OCTOBER 31st
RETURN TO: Senior Project Advisor
Before you begin writing your research paper you must first have your thesis
statement and Senior Project Mentor Approved.
Please fill in the following information and return to Senior Project Advisor by
October __.
NAME:
SR. PROJECT ADVISOR:

THESIS STATEMENT:
FOR SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR ONLY: APPROVED?: Y N

INITIALS:
NAME OF PROPOSED MENTOR:
SIGNATURE OF PROPOSED MENTOR:
PAPER
The paper is the second major part of the Senior Project that will be turned in. The
research paper should take you at least a month to research and another month to
write several drafts before having a perfect copy. To avoid several mistakes that
have been made in the past, please read over the following suggestions to ensure
that your project experience goes smoothly.
– Use your annotated bibliography as a guideline. Check internet sources, and

verify that they haven’t changed from your freshman year.
– Do not change the thesis/topic of your paper without approval
Topic: The topic is simply the general category that you will be researching.
EXAMPLE: Divorce Attorney; News Reporter; State prison guard
Thesis: The thesis is a statement made in the introduction of your paper that
specifically details what you will prove in your paper or what you are trying to figure
out. You must be attempting to show something through your paper that is not
common knowledge.
Poor Thesis Good Thesis
Drugs can ruin peoples’ lives. American media influences

teenagers to start and continue
dangerous drug addictions.
Effects of Teen Pregnancy What are the long-term effects of
teen pregnancy on the baby and

the mother and what can be
done to prevent teen pregnancy?
Resources: Your research paper should be supported by information and facts that
you get from books, approved websites, newspapers, and magazines. You can only
use information from the internet that is from a government or official organization
website (so that it is reliable). Please see the MLA citation guidelines attached to
make sure you are making your “Works Cited” page and citations in your text
properly. You should be able to copy these directly from your annotated
bibliography, completed during English I. Your paper will be graded by your English
teacher, using the “6+1 Writing Rubric,” on the following pages.
Completion Checklist:
 The topic of the research paper shall bring relevance and context to
the senior project.
 The research paper shall meet length and appearance guidelines.
 MLA formatting shall be required.
 A properly formatted WORKS CITED page shall be required.

SAMPLE WORKS CITED PAGE:
Last Name Pg#
Works Cited
Adams, Paul. "Furious Arafat Is Freed." Globe and Mail [Toronto] 2 May 2002:
A1+.
Collins, Ronald K.L., and David M. Skover. The Trials of Lenny Bruce: The
Fall and Rise of an American Icon. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks,
2002.
Continelli, Louise. "A Place for Owls to Heal." Buffalo News 12 Jan. 2003: C2.
"Ho Chi Minh." Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2003. Britannica.com.
15 May 2003 <http://www.britannica.com>.
"Nazi Party". New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1997 ed.
O'Keefe, Mark. "Definition of 'Rich' Is Elusive." Detroit Free Press 12 Jan.

2003:
1E+.
"What is Dry Eye?" TheraTears. Advertisement. 2003. 20 Jan. 2005.
<http://www.theratears.com>.
Wolanski, Eric, et al. "Mud, Marine Snow and Coral Reefs." American Scientist
Jan.-Feb.2003: 44-51.
PROJECT
The project portion of the Senior Project refers to the time spent with the Mentor,
and the Media representation of that time, and the lessons learned therein.
Students will make a minimum of three appointments with their mentor, for a total
of at least 10 hours. Detailed records will be kept in the form of a Time Log, which
will be verified by the student, mentor, and parent alike.
During the mentorship, the student will keep a photographic record of their time,
and present such evidence in the form of a technologically substantial visual – a
PowerPoint, movie, etc.
Completion Checklist
 Maintain thorough time log and submit a signed Time Log/Mentor

Evaluation Form.
 Create professional looking visual in electronic medium
 Obtain and save physical evidence of mentorship.
• Physical Evidence includes:
• Pictures, slides, video and/or audio tapes
• Actual completed projects
• Artistic renderings such as paintings, drawings, sculptures
• Blue prints, architectural drawings, plans, etc.
• Journal entries
• Other appropriate physical evidence
PORTFOLIO
All students will create and maintain an Electronic Portfolio throughout their time as
a student at West-Oak. The portfolio will be kept on the school’s network in the
student’s personal folder. From here, it will be able to be accessed by any teacher
involved in the Senior Project process at any time.
A website for the Senior Project will be maintained at http://www.XXXXXXXXXX.com.

At this site, you will be able to remotely access this manual, instructions, and all
forms attached to the project. The ten pieces of the final portfolio are as follows:
1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. Letter of intent
4. Resume
5. Annotated Bibliography
6. Personal Career Essay
7. Time Logs
8. Mentor Consent
9. Additional documentation of project (pictures, etc)
10.Final Evaluation Essay (to be completed after final presentation)

PRESENTATION
The final major portion of the Senior Project is a presentation in front of faculty,
administration, and community representatives from the school and possibly the
school district. You will be required to present your information in a speech along
with an electronic visual that shows the findings of your research paper. Here are
some basic guidelines:
– Dress must be professional (dress, skirt or dress pants for girls, dress pants,
and button up shirt with tie for boys. All apparel must be worn as intended,
and all guys MUST have their shirts tucked in).
– Your information should be simple and not written out in full paragraphs (use
bullet points)
– You should practice at least 3 times before giving the formal presentation
– You must be prepared to answer any questions regarding the information you
present
– The presentation must be 8-10 minutes in length
Completion Checklist:
 Verify that all parts of the Electronic Portfolio are completed and available
during presentation.
 Dress Professionally
 Make sure that presentation last 8-10 minutes
SENIOR PROJECT MENTOR TIMESHEET

DUE: JANUARY 2_
RETURN TO: SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR

You must document all of your mentor hours for your project. Please make sure that
you have your mentor sign each time you volunteer. You must have 10 total hours
by the deadline. Your hours must be divided up into at least 3 appointments.
Please fill in the following information and return to SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR
by JANUARY 2_.
STUDENT NAME:
SR PRJ ADVISOR
APPT LOCATION:
Contact Person at Site (Name and #):
DATE OF HOURS LOGGED ACTIVITY SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE

APPT
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONCLUDING RESPONSE
This is a reflective personal essay written to the senior panel that must discuss all of
the following items. Do not limit your essay to only these responses, but make sure
you give the judges a real sense of the process you went through and of what you
learned about yourself.
• Beyond the project itself, what did you learn about yourself?
• List three personal satisfactions or knowledge you gained from this project.
• Describe what risk you took in completing this project. Consider not only a
physical risk but also emotional or intellectual challenges.
• List problems you encountered. How did you handle these problems? If given
the opportunity, what would you do differently now that you speak from
experience?
• What was the picture in your mind of your project before you started working
on it? How does the outcome of your project compare with your first
perception of your project?
• What grade would you give yourself for your project? Justify the evaluation of
your grade in at least 25 words.
CONCLUDING RESPONSE RUBRIC

NAME:____________________________________________________
Below Average
Excellent (5) Average (3.5)
(1)
Essay Format MLA format strictly MLA format adequately Format not followed
followed. followed with few with multiple errors
mistakes.
What did you learn Clear and insightful Evidence of self- No evidence or
about yourself? reflection of self. learning but vague. reflection
Three personal Three pieces of evidence Three pieces of Less than three pieces
satisfactions were thoroughly stated evidence were given of evidence and/or
and well explained. but not well pieces not well
articulated. thought-out
Risks Taken Clear evidence of risk Some risk involved but No clear risk and/or
being taken, including not convincingly explanation.
emotional and intellectual, described.
and learning challenge
was convincingly
overcome.
Problems All problems revealed, Problems listed but Problems not

Encountered solved and alternatives solutions and/or addressed and
considered. alternatives are solutions not given.
lacking.
Initial Perception Initial perception and Initial perception and No comparison or

Versus Finished finished project were finished project were contrast given
Project thoroughly compared adequately compared between initialed
and/or contrasted. and/or contrasted perception and
finished project.
Self Grading Grade given and Grade given with some No grade and/or
convincingly justified. justification. justification given.
Score /35
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West-Oak High School – Senior Project

Questions and Answers for Parents, Students, and

of education to complete components that will be included in career-related

2. Is the Senior Project required for graduation in SDOC?

3. If a student transfers to West-Oak High from another school during senior

4. What are the benefits of doing a Senior Project?

6. Who is the Senior Project Mentor (SPM)?

7. What can I expect my student to be doing?

8. As a parent, what can I do to help my student?

9. If a parent/guardian has a general question about Senior Project, who should

The 4 P’s: Successful Completion of Senior

Completing the Senior Project in Four Years

Level The Student Will…

Senior Project Committees

4. Selecting a community coordinator and establishing the duties of the

THE STEERING COMMITTEE MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH ALL ASPECTS of

♦ They decide upon transfer students.

Senior Project Advisors

♦ Guide students with problems.

Parent Information Letter

• 15 Hours of shadowing with a mentor in a chosen career path

If you have any questions, please call ____________________, Senior Project

Parental Consent Form

As Parent / Guardian of _______________________________________, a student at West-

• I understand that a computer is a vital instrument in the successful completion

Parent / Guardian Signature:

Date: _______________________ Phone:

Student’s Senior Project Advisor:

SENIOR PROJECT THESIS/MENTOR APPROVAL FORM

RETURN TO: Senior Project Advisor

SR. PROJECT ADVISOR:

FOR SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR ONLY: APPROVED?: Y N

NAME OF PROPOSED MENTOR:

SIGNATURE OF PROPOSED MENTOR:

– Use your annotated bibliography as a guideline. Check internet sources, and

EXAMPLE: Divorce Attorney; News Reporter; State prison guard

Poor Thesis Good Thesis

Drugs can ruin peoples’ lives. American media influences

teen pregnancy on the baby and

 A properly formatted WORKS CITED page shall be required.

O'Keefe, Mark. "Definition of 'Rich' Is Elusive." Detroit Free Press 12 Jan.

 Maintain thorough time log and submit a signed Time Log/Mentor

A website for the Senior Project will be maintained at http://www.XXXXXXXXXX.com.

10.Final Evaluation Essay (to be completed after final presentation)

SENIOR PROJECT MENTOR TIMESHEET

RETURN TO: SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR

Contact Person at Site (Name and #):

DATE OF HOURS LOGGED ACTIVITY SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONCLUDING RESPONSE

CONCLUDING RESPONSE RUBRIC

Problems All problems revealed, Problems listed but Problems not

Initial Perception Initial perception and Initial perception and No comparison or

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