Seniors are expected to know and abide by the following Guidelines and Regulations:
1. All seniors participate in the Senior Project Program – Should unusual or extenuating circumstances possibly prevent a senior from participating, there will be a formal process for exemption.
2. Students may propose work (without remuneration), community service, activity, or study on or off campus. Off campus projects must take place within the tri-state area. The committee will consider any exceptions to location on an individual basis. Project participants are expected to commit to and be engaged in their work for a MINIMUM of four hours per day for the entire period.
3. The emphasis is on individual interests, engagement, and involvement. A maximum of 3 seniors may work together during the project. The reason for having more than 1 must be clear and approval will depend on the project.
4. Working with personal advisors, each student submits a proposal for his or her project. Complete proposals are due in Google Classroom on February 25. A “complete proposal” means all contact information and permissions are included on the proposal form. The proposal may NOT be submitted in Google Classroom without the final approval of the student’s personal advisor. In a few cases, the Senior Project Committee may send the proposal back to the senior and his or her advisor for clarification and/or additional information, or ask the senior to present an alternative plan. Sometimes, off campus signatures are hard to get. For that reason, there is a final deadline of April 1 for all permissions and signatures.
5. Regular academic and extracurricular course work for seniors participating in the program will be completed by Friday, April 29. Seniors are finished with their course work (except in AP classes) at this point and are not responsible for any further classes or assignments. Seniors’ advisors will work with their seniors to ensure that all coursework is complete, but it is the students’ responsibility to complete the work by April 29.
6. If a student has incomplete work from earlier in the semester, the work is to be made up by the time the Projects begin, or the student will be expected in class until the work is complete. See # 8.
7. AP students continue with AP classes until the exam. It is their responsibility to work their project schedules around their AP class schedules. See #8.
8. Each senior will schedule his or her program around the need for additional academic work, the need to continue in a particular class, or attend sports practice or performing arts rehearsals. Students are responsible for making their own arrangements with each of their teachers, if need be. Advisors will monitor this.
9. Personal Advisors will act as mentors to each senior advisee.They will assist their senior advisees with deciding and approving of a project, making sure the senior fills out the proposal completely and meets every deadline. They will also be communicating with parents regarding any issues with the proposal, deadlines, or other aspects of the process. They will communicate with the Senior Project Committee regarding the progress of the senior advisees.
10. Each student will need to name, and include on the proposal, any supervisor/boss with whom they will be working during the Project period. All contact information must be included as well. Advisors will be in touch with this person during the project.
11. Any project, which requires the use of any part of the theater, practice rooms, band room, or any musical, or recording instruments or technology, MUST be approved by Dr. Martino and Ms. Darnton prior to turning in a proposal.
12. The Athletic Department is willing to consider seniors for several types of Senior Project roles, including (pending any Covid restrictions):
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Helping to support the teaching of Lower School Physical Education classes. Up to two seniors, one of each gender, may be accepted to assist with the PE classes.
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Helping to coach Middle School sports teams along with other roles in the Department (equipment, filming, sports information, social media, special events, etc.). There are four spots available for these roles (two of each gender) and these can also be the same seniors who work with the LS PE classes as well.
Once you submit your proposal by February 25, your advisor will turn it over to the Athletic Department. Mr. Hauben or Mr. Decker will arrange an interview with each of you and you will also need to meet with Mr. McAndrews for PE positions. After the interviews and meetings are completed, seniors will then be informed of the decisions about the positions. Please contact Mr. Hauben if you have further questions.
13. At the conclusion of the Program, each participant is required to make a three to five minute presentation. This will follow the Science Fair model. All participants will prepare a display/talk/video/poster, etc. Personal advisors, administration, off-campus supervisors and interested faculty and Juniors are encouraged to attend. The projects are assessed for effective and meaningful use of time, but are not graded. Guidelines and regulations for the presentations will be posted separately.
14. Failure to meet deadlines, to complete all information, to take responsibility for all aspects of planning the project, or giving a poor presentation indicating a lack of engagement in and commitment to the project could result in any or all of the following: a blank diploma at graduation until the project is completed and presented to a selected group of administrators and faculty, an inability to participate in the commencement ceremony, a final fourth quarter comment from the Dean of Students stating that this required project was not satisfactorily fulfilled
15. Seniors on spring sports teams are expected to honor their commitment to the team by reporting to practice and games as usual and on time. Seniors whose projects are taking place on campus, will need to be in regular dress code. If they are assisting in the Athletic Department, they need to be wearing appropriate King Athletic gear.
16. If, during the Project period, a senior needs to be on campus and is not engaged in an actual project, he or she is to dress and behave appropriately so as not to distract or undermine the underclass students who are still in classes and preparing for exams. Campus cannot be a place for social gatherings for seniors.