Foundations

Foundations is a curriculum-based advisory program with four specific goals:

Make connections to the community
Equip students with strategies and tools
Encourage students to know themselves, make thoughtful decisions and have personalized post-high school plans
Do the "business of school"

You will keep the same Foundations teacher throughout your high school career. Seniors who wish to participate in commencement must complete the required Foundations curriculum.

If an incomplete grade was given, students should contact their assigned Foundations teacher or the Maple Grove Senior High Career Resource Center to receive the necessary Personal Learning Plan requirements and assignments.

For students who have taken Foundations between September 2020 and December 2023, students must complete the essay makeup questions that correspond with their incomplete trimester work.

Foundations make-up assignments for grade 9 students

Trimester 1 Foundations make-up assignment

Personal Statement of Purpose

Interview an adult about their purpose in life. Ask them to reflect on what they feel is important, how they have created this value system, and how it affects their daily lives. Ask them to come up with a personal statement of purpose. In 350 typed words document this interview. Include your questions and their responses. You may also include your observations and reactions. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number.

Trimester 2 Foundations make-up assignment

Goal Setting

In 350 typed words describe a goal that you hope to obtain someday, how you will reach it, what obstacles you may face, who will support you, and a timeline to reach the goal. You should have at least three paragraphs. Include an Introduction, at least one body paragraph, and a conclusion. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number.

Trimester 3 Foundations make-up assignment

Goal Setting

In 350 typed words describe both an academic and a work or service related goal that you hope to obtain within the next year. Describe how you will reach these goals, what obstacles you may face, who will support you, and a timeline to reach the goal. If you have no formal goals, describe how you will be successful. You may discuss your future plans, your strengths, and your opportunities. You may choose to discuss why you don’t see any value in goal – setting. You should have at least three paragraphs. Include an Introduction, at least one body paragraph, and a conclusion. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number.

Foundations make-up assignments for grade 10 students

Trimester 1: Leadership

In 350 typed words, describe yourself as a leader. You may want to give specific examples, qualities, or anecdotes about your leadership history. You may want to speculate on how these qualities will help you in the future, how you acquired the qualities, or how you can improve your leadership. You should have at least three paragraphs. Include an introduction, at least one body paragraph, and a conclusion. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number. Turn in to your Foundations teacher when complete.

Trimester 2: Best Work

In 350 typed words describe an assignment you did for school during 10th grade that you are proud of. You may choose to describe the task, your feelings about it, and why you did so well. You may compare this task with others that you did not do so well on. What are the differences? You should have at least three paragraphs. Include an Introduction, at least one body paragraph, and a conclusion. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number. Turn in to your Foundations teacher when complete.

Trimester 3: Credit Evaluation

Consider your academic progress so far this year. In 350 typed words discuss your successes and challenges. Why were you successful in some classes and not in others? Why have you chosen not to complete your Foundations work? How will you progress this year affect your future? Do you expect your effort / results to stay the same or change during your time at MGSH? Include an Introduction, at least one body paragraph, and a conclusion. The typed document must include the grade/trimester (listed above), your name and ID number. Turn in to your Foundations teacher when complete.

Foundations make-up assignments for grade 11 students

Complete the group of writing assignments for each trimester not passed.

Trimester 1

Each prompt must be answered in essay form, using good writing technique, word-processed (typed), and formatted according to MLA guidelines.

A. In 300-500 words, explain the shortfalls of procrastination and how it may not serve you well in the future. Include at least two strategies you should employ to complete required tasks in a timely manner.
B. In 300-500 words, describe what the Crimson Way means to you. You must refer to the four pillars: Motivation, Scholarship, Gratitude, and Honor. Provide at least one example of how you show the Crimson Way.
C. Watch this YouTube video. In 200-300 words, describe what you discovered about learning, studying, and success.

Trimester 2

Each prompt must be answered in essay form, using good writing technique, word-processed (typed), and formatted according to MLA guidelines.

A. In 300-500 words, explain the SMART goal writing process and how a goal can help you plan for and achieve success.
B. In 300-500 words, explain how high school is preparing you for college or your other future plans. Name at least two courses and/or staff members that have helped prepare you for your life after high school. Explain why they are important.
C. In 300-500 words, describe what you see yourself doing in five years–what is your goal for your future self? What actions do you need to take to achieve that goal? Be specific and include information about schooling and/or training you will need to have.

Trimester 3

Each prompt must be answered in essay form, using good writing technique, word-processed (typed), and formatted according to MLA guidelines.

A. In 300-500 words, explain your personal organizational strategies. How do you keep track of school, extra-curricular, family and work responsibilities? Name a method you have used in the past that was not working and why it failed. Identify how you can do a better job completing all work assigned at school–including Foundations work.
B. Complete the Letter of Recommendation packet. Consider school and employment; in a 200-300 word essay explain how can a letter of recommendation or letter of reference can help you as a candidate?
C. Write a 300-500 word essay titled: “What I wish I knew about high school as a freshman.” The essay should contain good advice to students starting ninth grade. Be thorough.

Foundations make-up assignments for grade 12 students

Trimester 1

In 300-500 words, explain the shortfalls of procrastination and how it may not serve you well in the future. Writing should be typed and formatted according to MLA guidelines.
In 300-500 words, explain to an incoming senior what they need to know in order to be successful at Maple Grove Senior High during their final year here. Writing should be typed and formatted according to MLA guidelines.

Trimester 2

As of the second Trimester of the 2023-2024 school year, students must complete a Personal Learning Plan per trimester and have passed/completed all assignments in order to meet the requirements for Foundations. If a student does not complete all of these requirements, they will earn an incomplete for the trimester.

Trimester 3

All work must be completed on time to participate in commencement.

Credit Check Worksheet (PDF)