What is a Senior Exit Service Project, anyway?

· An Exit Project is

· a contribution to our community that wouldn’t exist without the students’ design and efforts.

· a contribution that addresses a researched need within the realm of social justice.

· An Exit Project is not

· just another name for Christian Service hours. Walking into a set program—serving at the Soup Kitchen, for instance—while undoubtedly a worthy effort, is not an Exit Project.

· raising money and dropping off a check. It must include actual contact hours with those served.

· necessarily a fund raising project. It doesn’t have to involve money in any way; it can consist entirely of students’ time and effort.

Some Notes on Senior Exit Service Projects

· Seniors will each be responsible to work with other students and complete a Senior Exit Service Project as a mandatory curricular requirement for graduation in both English and Theology.

· Teams will consist of two or three students and will be formed by the students. While it may be advantageous to choose partners from the same English hour, it is not a requirement and no schedule changes can be made to accommodate team formation.

· The English and Theology teachers will cooperatively be responsible for approving and overseeing the Exit Projects. Decisions are made jointly by both teachers, who will meet with student teams throughout the Exit Project process.

· The Exit Project itself is not graded. Once a proposed project meets the guidelines and is accepted, it becomes equal to all other projects. It is the process of planning and implementation that is graded, not any intrinsic “worth” of the project.

· Students will receive individual grades for some tasks and group grades for others. All students in the group will receive the same grade for group graded tasks. Students will receive detailed assessment information before they begin their planning.

· Throughout the project process, student progress will be supported by written checkpoints and progress conferences with teachers.

· Students will prepare in many ways throughout the year to accomplish these projects. In English we will research the needs and services available in our community. Students will make contact with community leaders and organizations early in the school year. Specific planning for projects will begin in January. Actual implementation of projects will start at the beginning of the third trimester.

· Based on past experience, these projects take a great deal of time and effort by all concerned. The English curriculum for the year has been specifically designed to accommodate projects third trimester. In order to allow for safe, sane, and fair management, all projects will follow the prepared schedule.

How can parents help?

· Talk to your students about social justice issues, about what they’re reading for class, about what you hear, read, and see in the media.

· Suggest resources and people you know in the community to be speakers in class or to act as interview subjects for students.

· Come speak to our class.

· Join a Lit Circle reading group—as a participant, not as a teacher—and discuss a great book with some great kids.

· Recruit others to join a Lit Circle.

· Donate a book to the cause to help us build up our social justice library.

· We welcome your help in any other way you can think of….we’re open to suggestions!