Senior Service Learning Project Proposal
Project Description and Community Involvement
FJ Reitz High School hosts two blood drives annually to help the American Red Cross. I plan to
organize these blood drives, sign people up for them, find student volunteers to help run these
events, distribute permission forms and information about the blood drives, write passes for
students to donate blood, and prepare the gym for the blood drive by setting up tables,
extension cords, etc. All of these activities to organize the blood drives will contribute to my total
hours on the Senior Service Learning Project. I can prove that I gave my time and effort to this
organization by having my sponsor sign off on the activities as she observes me doing them and
by documenting each step of the process in a detailed manner. This project helps people in the
community greatly by increasing the supply of blood for people who have been injured or need
transfusions in emergency situations. The blood that is donated at the drives will save peoples
lives in the community and get students involved in helping others and benefiting their
community.
Mentor
My mentor will be Ms. Michele DeSousa, a teacher at FJ Reitz High School. She started
teaching at Reitz in 1996 and took over the blood drive in 1998 as part of Student Council.
When she left Student Council, she continued to run the blood drives because the Student
Council no longer had the ability to organize them. In the process, she formed a close
relationship with one of the Red Cross representatives and made it her mission to continue the
drives success. She has a lot of experience working with both the faculty of Reitz and the
volunteer staff at the American Red Cross. Her assistance in organizing the blood drives will be
of great help because of her experience and connections between Reitz and the Red Cross.
Timetable
Work on the first blood drive will have to begin 3-4 weeks before the drive. The first blood drive
will take place on December 4. The second blood drive will also require organization and
planning 3-4 weeks prior to the event, which will take place on April 8. Though the second blood
drive takes place after the deadline of the Senior Service Learning Project, I will receive a large
number of volunteer hours just from the work on the first drive. This projects time frame cannot
be altered to have the second drive earlier due to the amount of time between drives that is
required. The December drive also cannot take place any earlier because it has to be a certain
number of months after the previous drive, which took place earlier this year in April.
Statement of Commitment
The senior project committee should accept my proposal because it is a great help to the
community because the blood donated has the potential to save many lives. It also helps Reitz
High School by getting students involved in helping their community. This is an event that has
Reitz Senior Service Learning Project
happened at Reitz for many years, and it fosters a great relationship between Reitz and the
American Red Cross.
Student Signature:
_____________________________
Parent/Guardian Statement
I have read my students project proposal and understand that my student is responsible for the
completion of this project upon approval of this proposal. I also understand that this project is
worth 10%-20% of my students English grade each grading period and should be considered a
priority throughout the year.
Guardian Signature:
_____________________________
Printed Name:
Kathryn DiDomizio
Mentor Statement
I understand that as mentor for the Reitz High School Senior Service Learning Project, I will
provide guidance and expertise documenting the students struggles and strengths in
completing the project and by making myself available for a minimum of four consultations with
the student.
Mentor Signature:
_____________________________
Printed Name:
Michele DeSousa
Affiliation w/ Organization:
American Red Cross Past Volunteer
and Coordinator of past blood drives between Reitz and this organization
Mentor Email:
Michele.Desousa@evsc.k12.in.us
Mentor Telephone:
(812) 435-8888 ext. 42308
Proposal must be printed out, have all signatures, and be placed in your SSL folder for your proposal
hearing.
Reitz Senior Service Learning Project
