Culminating Project Community Advisor Information

New: Community Advisor Guidelines

What is a community advisor?

Faculty will support and guide students through the project requirements. In addition, all students will select community advisors.

As an expert in a field related to the topic of the student's Culminating Project, the community advisor will guide, encourage, assist, and support students in planning and developing meaningful projects.

To recruit a community advisor, students should personalize the "Letter to Potential Community Advisor." Students should give the letter and a community advisor brochure to potential advisors. Each community advisor must be screened and approved by the District unless the parent/guardian completes a form to waive this process.

Benefits of becoming a community advisor

• Share your expertise with a student in our community
• Learn more about Bellingham schools and our students
• Help a student master skills for further studies and employment after high school
• Help shape the future of our community's graduates

Community advisor qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old
• May be a relative if that individual has sufficient experience and expertise, but students are highly encouraged to look beyond relatives and find professionals in the field of interest
• With administrative approval, school staff members may serve as a Community Advisor
• Must have knowledge or experience in student's chosen area of interest
• Must complete an Advisor Acceptance Form, which includes information for a criminal background screening by Securint, Inc. Families may waive this screening for their student's community advisor by completing a waiver.

Time commitment
The amount of contact and time commitment will depend upon the scope of the student's project. However, it is recommended that a student meet with his/her community advisor at least three times during the project.

How to become a community advisor
If you have not been approached by a student, but want to volunteer your expertise to students searching for a community advisor, please contact the School Administration Office at 676-6511.