Welcome to AdvocacyWelcome to Advocacy

Advocacy/Senior Portfolio Advocacy/Senior Portfolio OverviewOverview

AdvocacyAdvocacy

Advocacy meets for 30 minutes every Advocacy meets for 30 minutes every Thursday after 2Thursday after 2ndnd period. period.Students will remain in the same advocacy Students will remain in the same advocacy class with the same advocacy teacher for class with the same advocacy teacher for 4 years4 years

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

The goal of Advocacy is to help all students The goal of Advocacy is to help all students to understand the importance of what to understand the importance of what they are doing now and its impact on the they are doing now and its impact on the future. future.

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

To help personalize the school environment To help personalize the school environment by connecting students to a “small learning by connecting students to a “small learning community”community”

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

Support students with their academic Support students with their academic endeavors, including Senior Portfolio endeavors, including Senior Portfolio preparation. preparation.

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

Allow students to explore post-secondary Allow students to explore post-secondary college and career options. college and career options.

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

Provide support and guidance to students Provide support and guidance to students as they make critical life decisions. as they make critical life decisions.

Goal of AdvocacyGoal of Advocacy

Help students to Help students to respect and appreciate respect and appreciate diversity and to diversity and to actively contribute to actively contribute to the PGHS community the PGHS community and the community at and the community at large. large.

What will I do in Advocacy?What will I do in Advocacy?

Lessons/Activities in 9Lessons/Activities in 9thth grade advocacy grade advocacy will focus on the following:will focus on the following:– Teambuilding (building a learning community)Teambuilding (building a learning community)– Link Crew ActivitiesLink Crew Activities– Portfolio CompletionPortfolio Completion– High School Survival High School Survival – PGTV/ASB informationPGTV/ASB information

How will I be gradedHow will I be graded

Advocacy grade is Pass/No Pass based on Advocacy grade is Pass/No Pass based on completion of required portfolio assignmentscompletion of required portfolio assignments– Advocacy grade becomes a part of your permanent Advocacy grade becomes a part of your permanent

high school record (transcript)high school record (transcript)– A “no pass” at any grade level cannot be changed A “no pass” at any grade level cannot be changed

later on (even if you complete the portfolio)later on (even if you complete the portfolio)– The grade doesn’t affect your GPA but it The grade doesn’t affect your GPA but it isis a a

reflection of your effort and can affect your reflection of your effort and can affect your competitiveness for college.competitiveness for college.

The Senior PortfolioThe Senior Portfolio

The Senior Portfolio is the culminating project of students’ high school career.

Overview and PurposeOverview and Purpose

It provides students with the opportunity to bring together all that they have learned in twelve years of school.

PurposePurposeStudents choose samples of their best works and create a portfolio that will showcase their unique talents, strengths and expertise. Senior Portfolio consists of four parts:– (a) the portfolio, – (b) community service hours, – (c) the Reflective Research Essay, – (d) the oral presentation.

Students begin building their Senior Portfolio in ninth grade and it is a work in progress throughout their 4 years at PGHS.

Overview and PurposeOverview and Purpose

Advocacy teachers will be the main source of guidance and support throughout the process. English 12 teachers will facilitate the process during their senior year.

GradeGrade

The Senior portfolio is worth 25% of the The Senior portfolio is worth 25% of the student’s Term 2 weighted grade in student’s Term 2 weighted grade in English 12.English 12.

Information about Advocacy and the Senior portfolio requirements can be found on the school website.

ComponentsComponents

Best Work Samples– Freshmen will be required to complete 2 best

work reflection windows

ComponentsComponents

Best Work Samples– A “Best Work” Sample is an assignment,

project or test that reflects each of the following:

Growth – sample shows how you’ve grown &/or improved over time (i.e.. An improved grade or success in a class where you’ve struggled.)Strength – reflects your strengths as a studentFuture Plans & Goals - sample reflects your future plans after graduation (i.e. a project complete in CADD or Photography)

ComponentsComponents

Reflection Windows– A short reflective piece

that explains why you selected this sample, a description of the assignment and how the sample relates to growth, strengths or goals.

Each Best Work Sample must be accompanied by a typed “Reflection Window”

Community ServiceCommunity Service

Community service is not a requirement, Community service is not a requirement, but without it you but without it you cannotcannot earn an A on earn an A on your Senior Portfolio.your Senior Portfolio.Students completing 55 hours of Students completing 55 hours of ‘approved’ community service will earn ‘approved’ community service will earn cords at graduation.cords at graduation.

Community ServiceCommunity Service

All community service hours All community service hours must be must be pre-approvedpre-approved by by Advocacy teachers. Advocacy teachers.

Community service hoursCommunity service hours

Grade Level Hours Breakdown:– Hours must be completed in

full each school year in order for students to earn a community service cord.

9th grade: optional10th grade: 10 hours11th grade: 20 hours12th grade: 25 hours

See Appendix B13 for a breakdown of community service hours for transfer students

What is the requirement for the What is the requirement for the Senior Portfolio at the end of each Senior Portfolio at the end of each

school year?school year?

At the end of each school year, students At the end of each school year, students will write a “Summative Letter” which will write a “Summative Letter” which synthesizes all best works collected synthesizes all best works collected throughout the year. throughout the year.

Senior YearSenior Year

During your Senior year you will write a During your Senior year you will write a reflective essay on your portfolio and reflective essay on your portfolio and present your portfolio to a panel of judges.present your portfolio to a panel of judges.

Questions?Questions?