It's March! Project Week is just Around the Corner

With the turning of the calendar page, you quickly realize that Project Week is just a few weeks away.

For students planning international trips, it's no surprise as there have been numerous meetings during club times. For others, it's a chance to catch up on some last minute paperwork and logistics. 

No one is busier with Project Week preparations as Interim Director Amber Smith. She joined Overlake at the end of January, and her new position demands the needs of project leaders, students, and families. "Now is the time to have that conversation with your child to make sure they're ready for their project," says Smith. "Parents also need to know that trip permission forms which include accurate medical information need to be in now because the teacher is assuming the role of a parent while they're away. Also their student's behavior contract should be done as soon as possible. Now is the time to do it so that teachers can review those forms before Project Week."

The last month has been spent working with project leaders and logistics, and Smith says that the next big date for students is March 14. That's when everyone will learn specifics about their experiences. "Between local, outdoor, and travel trips, there are lots of details that are unique to each experience. Each has its own unique needs, and it's important that every student is aware of their roles and responsibilities," says Smith. "Not being prepared takes away from other's experiences, and we don't want that." 

Currently, Smith is working with project leaders and teachers on emergency response plans. During Project Week, she'll remain on campus to address any concerns or incidents. "We're working very hard to make risk assessments. We're reviewing those right now so that all our t's are crossed and i's dotted so that the week goes smoothly," adds Smith.

As for the role of the parent for Project Week, Smith wants to stress that the experience is the child's, and that is the purpose of experiential education. "It's all about the experience and the child's ability to reflect upon it," says Smith. "It may not necessarily be fun. We want it to be, but more importantly they should be challenged and exposed to something new. That's something special that Overlake does, and it's something that they'll be able to use for their rest of their lives."

Click here to find out more about this year's Project Week. The final group meeting is on March 14, and Project Week 2019 runs from March 25-29.