Senior Explorations Internship Handbook 2024

Acknowledgements

BYRAM HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EXPLORATIONS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Senior Explorations Internship program represents a collaborative effort among many members of the Byram Hills High School administration, faculty, and staff, both past and present. this program has come into existence and has been sustained through the exceptional commitment of the following professionals:

Dr. Jen Lamia, Superintendent
Dr. Tim Kaltenecker, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Gina Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Chris Walsh, Principal
Ms. Lauren Albert, Assistant Principal
Mr. Jenn Spirelli, Assistant Principal
Mr. Chris Borsari, Former Principal
Mr. John A Chambers, Former Superintendent
Dr. Jacquelyn L. Taylor, Former Superintendent
Dr. William M. Donohue, Former Superintendent
Mr. Robert Croke, Former Program Coordinator

Acknowledgements (cont.)

Sandy Abt
Jock Montgomery
Wendy Dassau
Allan Pryor
Deborah Stampfer
Byram Hills School District Board of Education
Byram Hills High School Student / Faculty Senate
**Special thanks to Allan Pryor for his endeavors as Program Coordinator during the pilot 1998-1999 year of this program.

Jennifer Croke, Program Coordinator
(914) 273-9200 x4984
jcroke@byramhills.org

Jenn Spirelli, Administrative Coordinator
(914) 273-9200 x4921
jspirelli@byramhills.org

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
INTRODUCTION 5-10
2022-2023 IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES 11
OVERVIEW OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES 12
OVERVIEW OF ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES 13-14
OVERVIEW OF SITE SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES 15
OVERVIEW OF PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES 16
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SENIOR INTERN 17
IBD'S 10 SECRETS TO SUCCESS 18-19
STANDARD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 20
EMAIL/COVER LETTERS 21
SAMPLE EMAIL/COVER LETTER 22
2023 AP EXAM CALENDAR 23
QUESTIONS 24

Introduction

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Byram Hills Senior Explorations is designed to provide students with the opportunity to become productive and responsible citizens of the 21st century. The program enables students to extend their learning beyond the school. It offers an opportunity for students to apply their high school knowledge and skills to an independent career exploration in an area of personal interest.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the program, students will become more:
* Self-directed, self-reliant, and confident learns,
* Creative thinkers and problem solvers,
* Responsible citizens,
* Effective communicators,
* Collaborative workers, and
* Knowledgeable about careers and their own career interests.

INTERNSHIP PROCESS - ALL OPTIONS
Teachers who have only seniors in their classes become faculty advisors for our students (approximately 35 teachers this year.)

Students are assigned to an advisor in January based on the students' schedules. Faculty advisors will serve as liaisons with parents and sites.

We have three formal meetings with the students throughout the year.

Ms. Croke is available during office hours, lunch, and via email. Ms. Spirelli is available in the main office and via email. Please reach out with any questions!

Introduction (cont.)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This option has the Senior securing a site that can accommodate 30 hours of meaningful work for the student in person, virtually, or a combination of both.

The Senior will still meet with their faculty advisor weekly and will need to complete the expectations form, resume and daily journal.

A final presentation is also required.

Introduction (cont.)

SITE SELECTION
Recommended list of sites that have been used by students in the past, advisors have access to this.

Community members contact us to offer internships.

Networking with family, friends, and contacting organizations of interest.

Traditional offerings (politicians/businesses/law firms) are often used.

Areas of pursuit: Philanthropic, College/Career and personal interest.

Introduction (cont.)

GUIDELINES
The internship runs the last five weeks of the school year (May 6th - June 7th).

Students may not intern at a place where they've previously worked, be supervised by a family member, receive compensation, intern where the family has membership, or intern at a private residence (for in-person experiences).

We reserve the right to limit the number of interns at a particular site.

DETAILS
Students who are taking AP classes, peer leaders, Chemistry TAs, and Computer Science TAs get hour reductions per day.

Students who are traveling more than 25 miles to their internship (NY City) get five hours off per week.

Students meet with their faculty advisors in school once each week or virtually to check in on their weekly progress.

Online virtual etiquette is expected.

Introduction (cont.)

PROGRAM OUTLINES & FORMS
The program outlines will be available electronically on the website.

All forms are electronic this year.

The only paper forms needed are the printout with a parent's signature of the internship permission and medical emergency/transportation forms. (This is the same process used to obtain a parking pass.)

During the last week of internship, a parent evaluation will be sent to the email on record in eSchool Data.

FINAL PRESENTATION
The internship final presentation is the last assessment students have before they graduate.

Students are allowed to virtually invite their site supervisor, parents, teachers, and friends. Presentations are scheduled and managed by faculty advisors.

OVERVIEW OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

OVERVIEW OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
INTERNSHIP SITE SELECTION
Under the auspices of the Program Coordinator, students will contact and pursue a field of interest with the intention of gaining valuable life experience. Following the selection of an Advisor, students will complete the following:
* Internship Permission Form - due Wednesday, March 20, 2024
* Transportation/Medical Emergency Release Form - due Wednesday, March 20, 2024

INTERNSHIP JOURNAL
The journal is a personal reflection of the student's experience and learning. These entries may include observations, highlights, criticisms, explanations, evaluations, recommendations, and references to readings.

Students may write the journals in either a creative or expository manner. Advisors will review the journals once a week. All journal entries will be completed on Google Classroom.

OVERVIEW OF ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
An advisor is a faculty member teamed with the student to assume the responsibility for guiding him/her through various phases of Senior Explorations. While the student takes on the primary responsibility for the design of his/her program, the Advisor also assists in its development and execution. Where necessary, the Advisor also serves as the student's advocate and maintains contact with the Site Supervisor. An additional Advisor role is to help in the preparation of the final presentation. This ongoing relationship between the student and Advisor is an essential component for the success of Senior Explorations.

ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
*Attends workshops and meetings to discuss the program and the responsibilities of being an Advisor before faculty meetings.

*Listens, guides and suggests.

*Informs the student about available resources, seminars, agencies, and contacts if possible.

*Communicates expectations with parents and site supervisors.

*Meets with the student weekly at designated times (groups suggested).

OVERVIEW OF ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES