Bremerton School District

Navigation 101 Connections Program: Lighthouse

Navigation 101

Overview

Bremerton School District is proud to serve as a "Lighthouse District" funded by the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for our development of a high school student advising and guidance curriculum program termed "Navigation 101." Bremerton students and parents know it as “Connections." If you would like more information, please contact Bremerton High School at 360.473.0800.

Foreward

Bremerton High School students are required to satisfactorily complete an Academic and Career Portfolio in order to graduate. Included in this requirement is a presentation of the portfolio made by the student. The portfolio will include samples of exemplary work, post-high school plans, career exploration activities, a resume, sample job application and career exploration activities that help to identify and develop a career path. Students may chose to also include honors or awards; a record of community service, volunteer work, and paid jobs; and letters of recommendation.

The purpose of the portfolio and presentation is to provide you with the opportunity to identify personal strengths and achievements; explore career and post-secondary education options; and develop a post-high school plan. The project gives you a chance to show that your high school experience is meaningful, practical and demonstrates the higher standards of learning set forth in Washington State House Bill 1209.

The Bremerton High School Model

Portfolio Organization

The Bremerton High School Academic and Career Portfolio is divided into five sections. These sections provide a means of organizing a variety of required and optional portfolio entries. The four sections are titled as follows:

  1. Student as Planner: includes career and post-secondary planning activities
  2. Student as Learner: samples of best school work in grades 9-12
  3. Student as Employee: includes resume, cover letter, practice applications
  4. Student as Citizen: must include one “Personal Qualities” form; may include optional entries such as volunteer record, awards, honors
  5. Student as Presenter: includes outlines and evaluations of annual portfolio presentations from grades 9-12

Common Student Questions

What is it?

Your portfolio will include a collection of career exploration activities and examples of your best work that demonstrate the important academic, career and technical knowledge and skills you have acquired in preparation for your post-high school plans. Thus, in large part, you will determine what your portfolio looks like. There are two components to the portfolio graduation requirement, a physical portfolio (3-ring binder) and a senior presentation.

How can it help me?

  • Organizational Tool: In the past, seniors have often scrambled to find important documents and records required on applications for college, work and scholarships. Your portfolio will assist you to identify which documents should be kept. It will also include labeled tabs to separate information by categories.
  • Self Reflective Tool: The portfolio will include assessments which help you identify your strengths, abilities, learning style and skills. Combined with samples of your best work in every subject area, these assessments will assist you to explore and choose an educational and career path that matches your strengths and talents.
  • Marketing Tool: Colleges, scholarship boards and employers require applicants to show what they know and can do. Your portfolio will provide you a professional means to showcase your individual talents, abilities and accomplishments.

What do I include in my portfolio?

While every portfolio will be unique, the list below identifies key elements that need to be present in every portfolio. A more comprehensive description of required and optional items for each grade level is listed on the Portfolio Grading Rubrics available in the Bremerton High School Counseling Office.

  • Sample exemplary works from multiple classes
  • Career research
  • Post-high school plans
  • Transcript and credit check
  • Resume
  • Personal Qualities Form (pre-letter of recommendation)

How do I assemble my portfolio?

Every student will begin to develop a portfolio in 9th grade. The process of adding to and editing the contents of the portfolio continues throughout high school. You will receive assistance with the development of the portfolio through classroom activities and close interaction with a staff advisor in grades 9-12.

For More Information

Linda Hupka
Asst Principal and Director of Career and Technical Education
360.473.0902

Chris Swanson
Career & College Counselor
360.473.0831