Hatboro-HorshamSenior High School

Graduation Project Early Declaration

This form must be typed to be accepted.

Name: Class of:

Email address: Phone #:

Project Title:

Please check the type of project you plan to complete:

Community Service/Volunteer/Partnership

Internship/Entrepreneur (not to be completed with a family owned business)

Personal/Creative/Performing Arts

Curriculum-Related/Extension

Describe your project. Please be specific and provide as much detail aspossible. Include details, such as who, what, where, when, why and how. (Paragraph Format)

Indicate the main goal of your project and include supporting goals. Goals must be measurable! (Complete Sentences)

Main Goal –
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Discuss your understanding of the requirements of this project. (How many hours, paperwork, deadlines, rules, etc.)

Project mentor’s name:

(An adult who has some expertise in the area of your project and someone who will help you through this process.) Not a parent unless you have spoken to and been given permission

Mentor’s qualifications:

Explain the role of the mentor in your project. (Paragraph Format)

Mentor’s address: Mentor’s phone number: Mentor’s E-mail address:

Mentor’s Signature______

Mentor Signature: I ______have seen the document entitled “Guidelines for Mentors” and hereby agree to act as the mentor for the child who’s name appears on this declaration.

Student Name:

Student Signature ______

Parent Name:

Parent Signature: I ______have read this entire declaration. I verify that all information is accurate and that this document is written to the best of my child’s ability.

Commitment/Authenticity Oath:

“I understand all of my responsibilities in completing this project, including meeting all deadlines, meeting with my mentor, handing in my completed portfolio and written reports, and completing the final presentation. Furthermore, I am responsible for attaining all goals listed in my proposal. I agree that each goal represents a requirement in completing my graduation project and none of these goals are optional. If I discover a goal is/was not attainable, I will promptly notify my instructor and, with their assistance, an appropriate change will be made. I will then complete a “Change of Goal” form. I also understand that all work on my Graduation Project must be my original work. I will properly cite all sources used in accordance with school district policy. Any plagiarism will invalidate my project and will jeopardize my graduation. I also agree that failure to meet any of the requirements may result in the loss of school privileges including but not limited to: prom, parking, extra-curricular sports, red and black night, etc.”

Once completed and approved, no changes may be made to the contract/proposal without the approval of the instructor.

Have you discussed this project with you parent/guardian? (please circle) YES NO

Student Signature: ______

Parent Signature: ______

*** STUDENTS – THIS PAGE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO YOUR MENTOR TO KEEP

Guidelines For Mentors – Mentoring is considered to be one of the critical elements of the Graduation project at Hatboro-HorshamSenior High School. Each student must choose a mentor for his or her Project who will serve as a consultant throughout the experience. Although the role of the mentor may vary in each student-planned Project, the following are general statements regarding the role of the mentor within this Project.

  • Mentors serve as a resource for students and should have experience or expertise in the student’s focus area
  • Mentors verify the completion of the student work and hours
  • Mentors are required to have a minimum of three (3) contacts with the mentee during the course of their interactive/hands-on experience (either summer or semester).
  • Mentors should contact the work site and/or person involved with supervising your mentee

three (3) times – this can be done via telephone or email. If a student is working independently than obviously only the mentor/mentee meeting is needed.

  • Mentors should attempt to guide the student through the experience, to encourage different possibilities to solving problems, to model appropriate skills and knowledge, and to assist the student in planning various aspects of the Project.
  • Mentors, particularly community service supervisors, should ensure that students are exposed to diverse experiences. Community service projects should have an educational value for the individual student, as well as a significant benefit to the community.
  • Mentors may attend the final assessment of the student’s project as an observer and resource for the assessment team.

Mentors are not expected to be familiar with the procedural aspects and student responsibilities required by the Hatboro-HorshamSchool District unless the student has chosen a faculty or staff member. It is also important to stress that mentors should always keep in mind that the Graduation Project is intended to be a student-directed learning experience. Mentors, therefore, are not expected or permitted to complete work for students or to significantly aid the student in completing tasks, which should be the responsibility of the student. It is likely that mentors will be contacted at some point during the Graduation project process. Mentors are strongly encouraged to attend the final presentation by the student whenever possible.

PARENTS AS MENTORS - Although parental involvement in the Graduation Project process is critical and encouraged, a parent may not act as a project mentor except under special circumstances. Such circumstances must first be approved by the Graduation Project Coordinator before submitting a formal declaration. One of the fundamental goals of the Project is to expose students to the world outside of the classroom and the home. It must be remembered that mentoring is viewed as much more than monitoring hours and student work. Mentors should have experience in a student’s chosen field. Additionally, even when parents and students have similar interests it may be more beneficial to students to gain exposure to others working within that field to provide for a more well rounded experience for the student.

TECH TEACHERS AS MENTORS – If a student selects a Vocational Tech project and asks you to act as a mentor, please be aware of the following; All Graduation Projects must demonstrate work above and beyond the normal curriculum. If a project, portfolio, or experience is an assigned part of your curriculum it cannot be used as a Graduation Project. However, it is very possible and encouraged to either enhance a project to meet the requirements of the Graduation Project or choose a related experience.