Graduation Project

Pleasant Valley High SchoolClass of 2013

Project Options

1. Community Service Project

2. Research Based Project

This is a Pennsylvania state requirement for graduation

Option 1: Community Service

Community Service Description

Select volunteer work; establish contact with the service organization

Volunteer work must be an unpaid, non-credit, after-school activity

Must be approved prior to starting volunteer work

Must complete 50 hours for one organization by September 30th

Community Service Examples

First Responder: training course, volunteer work with ambulance or fire company

Health Care: volunteer at an elder care facility or hospital

Maintenance: maintain grounds at public building

School: after-school tutoring / lab assistant

Clerical: volunteer at community library

Girl/Boy Scouts: summer camp, troop meetings

Must be approved prior to starting volunteer work

See the Library Pathfinder for a complete list of volunteer organizations with contact information

Community Service Requirements

Service Component:

Must complete 50 hours of volunteer work

Must maintain a Service Activity Log

Written Component:

Two full, typed pages; double spaced

MLA format with 2 authoritative sources (one primary)

Oral Component:

8-12 minute oral presentation with electronic visual

Review evaluation forms in booklet

Community Service Due Dates

Community Service Pre-Approval Form — due Thursday, June 28, 2012

Community Service Contract — due Friday, September 28, 2012

Community Service Activity Logs — due Friday, September 28, 2012

All 50 hours of the approved volunteer work must be completed and signed off by Friday, September 28, 2012

Community Service Pre-Approval Form

Due June 28, 2012

Includes:

Volunteer Site Info

Project Description

Signed by:

Student

Parent/Guardian

Service Organization Supervisor

Approved by:

Assistant Principal

Follow directions on the second page

Community Service Activity Log

Due Sept. 28, 2012

Includes:

Site Information

Description of activities/duties

Student Reflections

Signed by:

Supervisor

Homeroom Teacher

Follow directions on the second page

Community Service Activity Log

Community Service Procedure

Submit Pre-Approval Form by June 28th

Obtain administrative approval

You will be given an Activity Log upon approval

Complete your volunteer hours by September 28th

Continually update your Activity Log after each session with:

A summary of your activities/duties

Personal reflections

Option 2: Research Paper

Research Paper Requirements

Written Component:

4-10 full, typed pages; double spaced

MLA format with 5 authoritative sources (one primary)

Oral Component:

8-12 minute oral presentation with electronic visual

Review evaluation forms in booklet available on the Pathfinder

Choosing a Research Topic

Select a topic that’s meaningful

Make certain there are authoritative resources available

Must have a minimum of 5 sources

May not recycle a former paper from any class!

Primary Sources

Primary Research

Interview or letter of inquiry

Observation or experiment

Survey or questionnaire

Primary Source

Artifact

Autobiography

Diary

Historical document

Original work of literature, music, or art

Original unedited film or audio of an event

Eyewitness account

Speech

See Library Handbook or Pathfinder for more information…

Senior Homeroom

Homeroom teacher is your advisor

Grad Project folders will be distributed in homeroom in September

You are expected to work on requirements during activity periods

All work must be saved on the PV network

You may need additional time beyond homeroom to work on your project

What Do I Do Now ?

Decide if you are doing research or community service

If completing community service: hand in Pre-Approval to PVHS Main Office by Thursday, June 28th

Research and Community Service contracts due Friday, September 28th to advisor

Visit the pathfinder for all project requirements and materials

Accessing the Pathfinders from Home

Go to www.pvbears.org

Select HIGH SCHOOL

Choose LIBRARY

Select Graduation Project

Choose Community Service

or Research Project

Click the + sign for links the Pathfinders and Documents

Select documents for the Class of 2013

Questions?