The Dresden Plan serves students at Hanover High in a variety of ways. Students in need of academic support can request assistance through the Advisor Program. A staff advisor will be assigned to work closely with the student to develop goals, obtain progress reports from teachers and meet regularly with the student to make plans for improving school performance.
The Dresden Plan can also assist students who are talented or who have strong interests in developing academic credit-earning experiences through community mentors, independent study, senior challenge, internships, work/study and volunteer service courses.
Advisor Program
The purpose of the advisor program is to provide students regular contact with a staff advisor who serves as his/her advocate. The advisor serves as a contact person for students and parents. Working together, the student, parents and advisor establish a plan for improving the advisee's academic performance. Regular meetings between the advisor and advisee are arranged and the time is devoted to: reviewing academic progress, planning for continuing academic success, providing tutoring as needed, and discussing any problems interfering with the advisee's school performance. Advisors may assist advisees in college and career planning. Special services such as testing and counseling may also be arranged by the advisor.
Academic Courses
Community Mentor
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
A student who has particular skills or interests and wishes to pursue them in greater depth is invited to discuss them with the Dresden Plan director. The director will assist the student in matching her/his interests with a person willing to share in the area of expertise needed. The student may participate in the program on a short term basis such as one day or a few afternoon meetings. No academic credit will be awarded for short term plans. Academic credit will be awarded if the following requirements are met. The student must spend a minimum of five hours each week doing work relevant to the experience with the mentor. A learning contract must be developed as the first task stating long and short term goals, basic activities, and what the student and mentor can expect from each other. The student must keep a log stating what he/she has done with the mentor and what learning has taken place. At the end of the term, the student must submit a paper outlining all of this information, including a report of outcomes from the work, with evidence of self reflection.
Independent Study
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
A student wishing to enroll in this program must discuss her/his goals and ideas with the Dresden Plan director. They will identify an appropriate advisor who will assist the student to complete a guide sheet identifying long and short term goals as well as the necessary steps to meet the goals, projected deadlines, and the criteria for success. Wherever possible, the work should result in some product, such as a major paper, a presentation, or observable project or performance. The student must meet with the advisor weekly and keep a written record of progress in the study.
Internship
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
An internship is a work-based learning experience giving students an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in a career field of their choice. Students will develop a resume, conduct a job search in a career field of interest, interview with interested companies or organizations in the local area, and work a minimum of five hours per week. Students will also document their hours and activities during their internship, complete a related project and summarize their experience in a multi-media presentation at the end of each semester. Internships are a great way to obtain paid part-time jobs and to enhance college transcripts and resumes.
Senior Bridges
CR: Minimum of 1/2 Per Semester
Seniors are invited to engage in independent study projects in any subject area, perhaps extending beyond the boundaries of our current curriculum. Although Senior Bridges interdisciplinary projects can be in any area of student interest, each will require that the student research the topic, work with a mentor, write a substantial paper, create a tangible project illustrating what was learned/accomplished, and prepare a presentation about the topic for an audience of teachers and students. Credits and course hour commitments will be determined on an individual basis, depending upon the scope of the project.
Senior Challenge
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
Senior Challenge is an alternative educational opportunity offered during the senior year. A student who has particular interests which he/she would like to develop into a learning project is invited to discuss the ideas with the director and complete a planning sheet. Together, they will create a program of activities or study with specific goals and timelines. The student is expected to meet at least bi-weekly with the director or the assigned advisor to discuss progress. It is necessary to keep a journal to record progress and to reflect on the process of the project. At the end of the term, the student must submit a paper outlining this information, including a report of outcomes from the work.
Volunteer Service
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
Volunteer Service is a program designed for students who wish to combine their work in school with service in the community. Its objectives are threefold. First, the program provides a direct service to the community by placing volunteers in hospitals, schools, day care centers, nursing homes, and other organizations. Second, the program enables high school students to develop an adult role involving taking responsibility in their community. Third, the program helps volunteers to critically examine and reflect upon their work through an in school academic component. The student will meet regularly with the teacher, spend a minimum of 5 hours each week at the service site, keep a journal and complete a research paper related to the area of service.
Work/Study
CR: 1/2 Per Semester
A student participating in the work study course must be employed during the entire credit earning period in order to earn school credit. The student must meet weekly with an advisor and keep a log commenting on what he/she is learning. There will be specific assigned topics relevant to the work experience. Meetings will be held with a Dresden Plan staff member and a guidance counselor to determine future vocational opportunities of interest to the student. Anyone interested in this course must discuss the possibility with the Dresden Plan director and obtain approval from parents and the employer. To obtain credit, in addition to the activities mentioned above, the student must work at a regular job a minimum of 5 hours each week throughout the semester.