“Cosmetics: more than skin deep,

WISE 2009 MODEL PRESENTATION

Friday may 8^th 12:20 to 2:00 pm

Wise room at woodlands high school

The WISE program originated in 1973 and was created in response to senior year apathy and a general lack of involvement. Victor Leviatin, a social studies teacher at the time, had initiated a 10-week long sociological project for his own students the previous year. Projects were varied, ranging from addressing problems with community graffiti and vandalism to helping the elderly. The program, which generated enthusiasm and considerable support, was augmented and became an integral component of our high school’s senior year experience. Since that time, and under the continued direction of Mr. Leviatin, the WISE model has become a component of the high school curriculum at over 80 districts throughout the United States.

Program Elements

The WISE Task Force

Parents, students, staff, community members and teachers stand together as WISE Task Force members.

The WISE Task Force is composed of students, teachers, parents, administration, community members, and local business owners. Participation by all members is voluntary but everyone affiliated with the program is encouraged to join. Among other responsibilities, Task Force members interview students, assist the coordinators, and serve as evaluators at final presentations.  The Task Force maintains, directs, and governs the program within the school. At Woodlands High School as in many other WISE schools, Task Force members work closely together for the benefit of each year’s graduating seniors. Meetings are typically scheduled once per month or as necessary. The Task Force at Woodlands has been in existence for many years. It is an ongoing committee that is a vital component of our innovative program.

Valeria Chernykh (WISE 2007) working on her project, "Mural Painting."

The Project

This is the first step for our WISE high school students, who, under the guidance of teachers, administrators, Task Force members, and Program Coordinators, design projects that may include internships with local community agencies or businesses, or are research projects, cultural-artistic events, or performance-based presentations. Project concepts are virtually unlimited and have included medical and architectural internships, art exhibitions, film-making, journalism, psychological studies, and the martial arts.

Jackie Mark (International Culinary Arts) and Priya Philip (Euro-Asian Music)

Topics that are explored in our school-based experiential learning program are innumerable because of the individualized nature of WISE. Because of the focus on the individual development of our students and their project, the operation of our school's unique experiential program is critical. Opportunities must be built-in for shared reflection, mutual support, problem solving, and community-building. Through group interaction, meetings with their mentors, and the input of experienced Task Force members, students often discover skills, strengths, and talents in each other and in themselves not understood or realized before.

During the school day, evenings, and on weekends, students devote time and energy to work at their internships, research their projects, maintain written journals, discuss their topics with one another, and meet with their mentors to explore and reflect upon project-related issues. Upon completion of their project, students submit their written journals for Task Force evaluation and host oral presentations before a panel of students, teachers and community members. These presentations are open to supervised students, teachers, parents, and other visitors.

Charleen Catalan evaluating a WISE Journal

......Journals......

The journal is a critical component of the WISE program. It serves as the communication link between the mentor and the mentee. WISE students must write in their journals on a daily basis and react to their daily experiences, mentor meetings, research, Participation-in-Government (P.I.G.) articles, workshops, reading, field trips, interviews, and their project. P.I.G. articles are distributed to all WISE students on a regular basis, and together with independent readings related to Governmental Affairs, satisfy the requirements for earning ½ credit of Social Studies.

WISE 2008 Student Coordinators and other participants at a recent visit to Scarsdale H.S.

Mentor Meetings

Mentor meetings are the key to a successful and productive WISE experience. WISE seniors meet with their mentor at least once per week for a minimum of 40 minutes.  Together with their mentor, seniors discuss their projects, research, writing skills, obstacles, interviews, readings, journals, and overall progress. Building a positive mentor-mentee relationship is essential. WISE is a based on this partnership.

Percussionist Leon Parker addressing WISE students during a 2007 workshop.

Weekly Workshops

These are in-school workshops and training sessions that WISE students are required to attend on a weekly basis. Attendance is taken by the WISE office coordinator. If they have a legitimate reason for absence, including A.P. classes or other school obligations, they must communicate with the office staff. Workshops are designed to complement and improve the WISE experience. Topics may include journal writing, research methods, bibliography styles, the interview process, and presentation procedures. Workshop presenters also discuss project-related topics including first-aid, martial arts, creative writing, culinary arts, and other information. Field trips are also planned, previous trips have included a tour of Harlem, South Street Seaport, the Fulton Fish Market, and a Clearwater Hudson River Sloop experience. Recently WISE students initiated a dialogue with members of the Jewish Museum in New York City.

Courtney Mannino's final presentation "Extreme Sports."

Final Presentations

A final presentation is required of all WISE students who may utilize any format. Formats have included traditional lectures, Power Point presentations, video productions, multimedia events, demonstrations, concerts, and experiential instruction. Task Force members are scheduled to attend each final presentation.  A community member, mentor, two students, and one teacher provide verbal and written reactions to the overall project, including the journal and the final presentation, using a Rubric. These comments assist the mentor in creating a final-written evaluation that is mailed to parents, attached to the student’s record, and mailed to their college.

Task Force members Ms. Donna Mazziotti and Mrs. Lynn Silverman evaluating journals.

Final Written Evaluation

                After completion of the final presentation, WISE mentors compose a qualitative analysis of the mentee’s overall project experience. This document includes an overview of all WISE elements and requirements including the presentation itself. Mentors will combine their observations, written notes, evaluator feedback, and other pertinent information to compose a one to two page evaluation document. This written evaluation becomes a permanent part of the student’s high school record.

WISE 2007 Graduates celebrate the completion of a challenging and rewarding journey!

E mail using the following address for additional questions, information:

wise@greenburgh7.com

Links to Program Materials

WISE Task Force members read and evaluate journals at evening sessions.

In photos above Mr. and Mrs. Brown and Scott Iessi with his mother Mrs. Iessi concentrated on assessing journals.