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Initiated by the counseling department, ninth-graders are the first ones to take on this innovative and creative approach at the high school.
Anne Abbatecola, Counseling Department director, said the idea behind the project was to guide students in their awareness of the Bronxville Promise and development in each of the four dispositions: leadership, critical thinking, innovation and engaged citizenship.
Since each student’s portfolio will be expanded upon over the years, students will be able to identify how they’ve improved and progressed over time.
“We’re growing together and helping students identify their development in the dispositions in all areas of their lives, including academics, athletics and extracurricular activities,” said Abbatecola, who added that counselors will periodically check in with students throughout the semester.
The digital portfolio project was launched on Jan. 12, when the students began working on their “about me” section. They’ll also be able to enhance their portfolios by adding pictures, videos and projects they complete during their high school years.
By the end of this year, the ninth-graders are expected to upload one to two works that show their progress within the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise.
English teachers Genevieve Jaffe and Franco D’Alessandro, who are involved with the introduction of the project, will guide students in the selection of their first portfolio submissions. Director of Technology Jennifer Forsberg and Instructional Technology Specialist Brad Ashley have also been involved with the launch of the project.
They collaborated with the counseling department to build a template and show students how to edit and make entries into their portfolio.
Ninth-grader Lindsey Cruikshank said she has the leadership skills to set a good example to her peers as someone who is respectful and responsible. She said the project would help her track her progress over time and further develop her leadership skills.
“It will be interesting because it will be authentic,” ninth-grader Viena Pentikainen said about the portfolio project. “It will be a good tool, especially for college applications.”
“Students will be asked to reflect on each portfolio entry as they grow as students and individuals in the Bronxville School and will make connections between school and life beyond Bronxville,” Abbatecola said.
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