Introduction

CRICS believes that the 12th grade year is an important time of preparation in the lives of our students. Not only is the senior year the final year of academic study at the high school level, but it is a unique time of transition into adulthood. For this reason, students in 12th Grade (seniors) are given additional responsibilities and privileges that are not given to other grade levels.

Many of these responsibilities place the seniors in leadership roles or cause them to be representatives of CRICS within the community. Therefore, CRICS wants to fully orient the students on these responsibilities and privileges. This handbook will provide information that will help students and parents know what to expect during this unique and exciting school year.

 

CRICS Values (ESLRS)

Our values set the tone for the CRICS culture, and they identify what our school, as a whole, cares about. It is important that our student leaders understand and do their best to align with these values as they carry out the senior year responsibilities and activities.

 

Caring Community (Effective Communicators, Loving Neighbors)

A CRICS student honors family, community, and diversity. They act with the knowledge that we are better together than we are apart.

 

Enduring Excellence (Lifelong Learners, Determined Goal-setters)

A CRICS student strives for excellence and establishes a lifelong love of learning.

 

Critical Thinking (Information Analyzers, Creative Problem Solvers)

A CRICS student challenges themselves to think critically and to express their thoughts coherently. They demonstrate the understanding that logic, creativity, and independent thinking are indispensable.

 

Biblical Worldview (Truth Seekers, Christ Followers)

A CRICS student knows the full story of Christ and uses it as the lens through which they view everything else.

 

Thankful Stewardship (Grateful Participants, Responsible Caretakers)

A CRICS student exercises responsibility by fostering care for God's many gifts.

 

Holistic Health (Joyful Player, Honest Self-Evaluator)

A CRICS student develops the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health that plants a seed for growth and opportunity in every part of life.

 

Senior Community Service Projects

CRICS believes that community service is an important aspect to a well-rounded education. It is a natural and practical product of the CRICS values.

In academic fields, we know that practice is just as important as theory. A student can learn the concepts of math or grammar, but if she does not know how to apply those concepts to work out a math problem, or write a paper, the knowledge is useless. The same is true for the training that the students receive in Bible throughout their time at CRICS. If a student learns the parable of The Good Samaritan and understands the importance of showing compassion and love to others, but does not know how to embody these characteristics, then the knowledge is useless.

We believe God has called and gifted our students to make a positive impact in a broken and hurting world. The Senior Service Project Initiative has been developed over many years as a capstone project for 12th Grade students to begin an intentional life of influence by serving their community in a tangible way.

 

Summary

During the 1st and 2nd quarters of Bible class the seniors will receive guidance and training about how to design, plan, and implement their project. The project will be completed during the 3rd quarter. During the 4th quarter, students will evaluate the experience by completing a final written report and by giving an oral presentation to peers, parents, and select CRICS staff members.

 

Requirements

  1. Autonomy:
    1. Seniors will develop, plan and implement their own projects.
    2. Students may not partner with another student for the same project.
      1. Example: In 2021-22 Earn & Win combined efforts in order to build a new house for a widow. They both worked to build the same house, however their projects were considered separate because their events were held on different days and their budgets were separate and were used for different phases of the project.
  2. Oversight:
    1. Seniors must obtain approval for their project from the Senior Bible teacher before implementation.
    2. Students will be required to enlist the help of a CRICS staff member to act as an advisor for their project.
  3. Benefit:
    1. The project must clearly benefit the Chiang Rai community outside of the CRICS community.
      1. Students are permitted to create projects which will benefit both the CRICS community as well as the broader Chiang Rai Community.
      2. Example: Foon’s project, a Kids Activity Day, was open to all. Some CRICS families participated, but the event was also promoted to various children’s homes, so kids outside of the CRICS community were also included and blessed.
      3. Students are permitted (and even encouraged) to partner with organizations or foundations with connections to CRICS, providing that the final beneficiaries include people who are outside of the CRICS community.
      4. Example: Da’s project, a medical outreach, was performed in partnership with her family’s foundation, Thai-Akha Ministry Foundation. While it might be said that the foundation was the beneficiary, it is clear that the main recipients of the medical services were the villagers (who are outside of the CRICS community.)
    2. The project should provide a service (not just funds). We believe that money does not solve problems; people solve problems.
  4. Volunteers:
    1. Seniors will coordinate & manage a team of secondary student volunteers in order to complete their project.
    2. Seniors are welcome to recruit additional students or adults to their team if necessary.
  5. Service Hours:
    1. Each project must log a total of at least 100 hours of service.
    2. Each volunteer’s work hours are included in this total.
    3. All of the senior’s planning time is also included in this total.
  6. Timing:
    1. Students will be given some in-class time to work on their project, but they will need to spend additional time out of class as well (especially during 2nd and 3rd quarter.)
    2. Senior Service Projects must be completed by the end of 3rd quarter.
    3. In the 2022-23 school year, 5 dates have been pre-approved for Senior Service Projects:
      1. Saturday, January 20, 2023
      2. Saturday, January 27, 2023
      3. Saturday, February 3, 2023
      4. Saturday, February 17, 2023
    4. In the event that a project cannot be completed on one of these pre-approved dates, the student must submit a request for approval for an alternate date to the Bible teacher & the ELT.
  7. Grading
    1. Activities & assignments used for preparing and planning the project will count for 30% of the Bible grade.
    2. A few project tasks of high importance will be classified as “SSP Tests” and will count under the Test & Projects portion of the Bible grade (30%).
    3. An incomplete project will make it impossible to complete certain SSP Test assignments.
  8. Funding
    1. CRICS can provide funding for senior projects (up to 5,000 Baht per student)
    2. Seniors must request approval to use school funds by giving a budget proposal to their Bible Teacher and Accounting Department showing that the purpose of those funds is in line with the aim of the project.
    3. Students must submit a report detailing the actual use of funds and all receipts following the completion of their project.
    4. Students may choose to raise additional funds in order to complete a project with a budget that exceeds 5000 baht.

 

Words of Wisdom about Senior Projects

“Don’t just take the easy way out, actually think of a way you can make an impact. Find what you are passionate about and do something meaningful with it.” -Foon, 2020 

“Dream big and make it happen.” -Ariela, 2020

“It's a good experience to take the middle school students. I think a few seniors should take middle schoolers so that the middle schoolers get to be part of the senior projects.” -Jadon, 2020

“Start early. Don’t procrastinate.” -Ing Ing, 2020

“The whole thing might sound big and scary but it really isn't. Try to do a project based on what you truly love/enjoy. It'll make doing it more meaningful and less boring. Also know that there are many people out there who would be willing to help you. Don't do it all alone.” -Fen Mai, 2021

“Plan well! Make sure you ask lots of questions and advice from adults. Read through all the instructions because it is very detailed and if you mess something up, you will spend a lot of time fixing it.” -Wee, 2021

“Do something you are passionate about. And don't procrastinate- those due dates are there for a reason.” -Jasmine, 2022

“Follow the steps that Mrs Lori sets out for you. Although it may seem a lot, it is very helpingful keeping things on track.” -Win, 2022

 

Senior Trip

The 12th grade year represents the end of a season. We believe an important part of finishing well is intentional celebration and closure. In addition to the formal graduation ceremony, CRICS encourages 12th grade students to celebrate the completion of their course work with a multiple day field trip at the end of the school year.

 

Planning

The 12th grade students are responsible for raising funds for and planning all aspects of the senior trip. The Senior Business teacher will help facilitate the planning process by 1) providing some time in class for students to work together, and 2) acting as an advisor in the process.

Students are expected to be back at school in order to say final good-byes to the younger students on the last day of school/ school picnic day (usually on Friday.)

 

Chaperone Requirements

The 12th grade class is responsible to recruit qualified chaperones and communicate with them as necessary throughout the planning process. Chaperones may be CRICS staff members, parents or other adults within the community.

  1. MINIMUM 2: There must be at least 2 chaperones on each trip, one male and one female.
    1. AGE: Chaperones must be at least 25 years of age.
      1. HEALTH: Chaperones must be in good physical & mental health and able to perform the duties associated with chaperoning the Senior Trip.
        1. FAITH: As a representative of CRICS, it is imperative that chaperones agree with and support the CRICS Statement of Faith and seek to lead and mentor students from a Christian worldview.
  2. CONDUCT: As representatives of CRICS, chaperones must have read and agree to abide by the CRICS Lifestyle Statement.
  3. BACKGROUND: Because student safety is a paramount concern, CRICS has established procedures for screening all school volunteers who may spend time with students. No volunteer may chaperone an overnight trip until the background check is completed.
    1. APPROVAL: After all of the previous requirements have been met, the students will request final approval from the ELT (Educational Leadership Team) before moving forward with the purchase of airfare.

 

Fundraisers

Fundraising for the Senior Trip will be an important part of the 12th grade experience. Not only is fundraising a means to provide the necessary financial resources to complete the trip, it also accomplishes other important outcomes for the students. For instance, the fundraising process will give students opportunities to practice teamwork and leadership skills which will be invaluable as they prepare for their next season of life. The shared goal of participating in the Senior Trip will provide the opportunity and motivation to work together creating a strong unity and class identity. Finally, working hard to raise funds for the Senior Trip helps the final celebration to feel even more rewarding.

CRICS hopes to empower the 12th Grade Class to raise their own funds by allowing them to plan and implement various events on school property throughout the year. This privilege is afforded based on the expectation that the students will act as responsible team members and representatives of the school. The 12th grade class will be expected to follow the various organizational procedures in place for CRICS events (ie: ELT approval, scheduling, event management, etc.) while also seeking to embody the Core Values of CRICS (Caring Community, Enduring Excellence, Biblical Worldview, Critical Thinking, Thankful Stewardship, Holistic Health.) CRICS will provide feedback and correction to help the 12th Grade Class meet these expectations. However, in the event that the CRICS Leadership determines that the 12th grade class is not meeting the expectations, CRICS reserves the right to revoke fundraising privileges, in full or in part.

 

Snack Shop

CRICS allows the Senior Class the opportunity to run the snack shop with all proceeds going into the Senior Class fund. Below are various CRICS Policies and Guidelines which apply to the Snackshop.

 

Other Fundraisers

Organizational Procedures for CRICS Events: 

 

Words of Wisdom about Snack Shop & Fundraisers

“Jai yen yen, you'll regret the time you spent on fighting. Be patient, be humble. Treat your customers the way you want to be treated.” -Maysa, 2020

“Don't make plans at the last minute and don't leave it to be just the responsibility of only a few people. Cooperation is important from everyone. If you agree to do something, then do it. Communicating with each other is important and having a clear and stable plan is also important.” -Annika, 2020

“Make sure the ice cream freezer is plugged in properly every time before you close the shop. And if the fridge makes loud noises just slap it very hard. 😭😂” - Fen Mai, 2021

“Discussions can be time consuming and frustrating when it comes to fundraising. Be ready to compromise and leave your pride at the door.” -Priscilla, 2021

“Don't do it just for money. Help one another and try to enjoy the process. It’s great bonding time if you have fun together.” -Fen Mai, 2021

“Be transparent about money. Be communicative. Understand that no one is perfect and everyone has responsibilities.” - Karn, 2022

“Try to think outside the box and make fundraisers unique and fun to your class. It doesn’t take that much time to plan fundraisers, so use the opportunities you can to do fundraisers.” -Paulina, 2022

 

Senior Traditions & Legacy

Casual Friday

Seniors are expected to carry a certain level of responsibility above and beyond that of other students. However, with these responsibilities come certain privileges. One of these privileges is that 12th Grade students are NOT required to wear their CRICS uniform shirt on Fridays. Students should note that they are still expected to follow the other guidelines set forth for the dress code in the student handbook:

 

Senior Wall

The senior class is encouraged to create a mural to commemorate their time at CRICS. This is an opportunity to be creative and have fun! We love our seniors. Your participation in the CRICS community has impacted us! You are with us always, and this wall is a tangible reminder of that fact.

The project should adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Supervision: The mural must be completed under the supervision of a CRICS advisor (usually the 12th Grade Bible teacher).
  2. Leadership: The class should elect a student or committee to lead the project .
  3. Approval: The project leader should create a proposal for the mural that has the approval of the senior class. The proposal will then be submitted to the ELT for final approval.
  4. Values: The mural must be in alignment with the CRICS Values (ESLRs) and appropriate behavior as defined in the school handbook
  5. Funding: The students may use the class party funds (300 baht per student) for supplies for this project. If the cost of the project exceeds that amount, the seniors are welcome to use their class funds that have been acquired through fundraising in order to cover the shortfall.
  6. Location: The murals can be painted on one section of the boundry wall (adjacent to the highway) facing the parking lot. Each year’s mural will follow in chronological order from left to right.

 

Senior Chapel

Another way that CRICS honors and celebrates the Graduating class is through the Senior Chapel in May. Under the guidance of the Chapel Team, the Seniors are given the responsibility of planning, managing, and implementing the final chapel service prior to graduation. This gives each graduating class an opportunity to finish well and conclude their time at CRICS in a meaningful way. Again, this is another opportunity for the 12th Grade Students to embody the motto “blessed to be a blessing”. Each class is encouraged to be creative and incorporate expressions that represent their class culture & personality, while also aligning with the CRICS core values. Some elements that previous classes have incorporated are:

 

Class Gift

The graduating class may choose to use a portion of their class funds to purchase a gift for CRICS. This is a symbol of gratitude to the school and a way to support future generations of students at CRICS. Students are encouraged to seek out the needs of the school and be creative with their gifts. It is appropriate to include a small plaque stating that the item was donated by the “Class of …” .

 

Words of Wisdom from Past Generations…

Your senior year is a unique and special year. Here are some words of wisdom from previous Seniors about how to make the most of this year:

“Whatever it is that you think is worth the drama, trust me it really isn’t. Cherish the last year you have with your friends. You don’t know when you will ever see some of them again. Just enjoy the year, reflect and be grateful, and speak your gratitude.” -Foon, 2020

“Do not procrastinate, and honestly find ways to hang out with people. You do not understand how fast it goes by.” -Maddy, 2020

“Do your work, keep your head up, getting a bad grade isn't the end of the world, pick yourself up and do better next time.” -Jenny, 2020

“Don’t get stressed out, you can make it. We all have before you and as long as you stay on task and don’t procrastinate there will actually be minimal stress” -Liam, 2020

“ Get coffee and get going!!! No nap before the work is done!!” -Wee, 2021

“Enjoy your time together and all the events and opportunities you have, because time flies so quickly and you’ll soon think back and wish you went to more things. Don't miss out on the opportunity to live awesomely at CRICS” -Paulina, 2022

 

Graduation

Senior Photos

CRICS provides graduating seniors with a complimentary photo shoot (incorporating both group photos and individual photos) with one of our volunteer photographers. This event generally takes place off campus towards the end of 2nd quarter or the beginning of 3rd quarter. The photographer will make arrangements and schedule this event with the class as the date nears. Photos from this event will be shared with the seniors for their own personal use, and will be displayed at the school and during the graduation ceremony to honor the students and their accomplishments.

 

Photo Slideshow Video

One of our traditions as a CRICS family is to honor the lives of our graduates. To gain a richer perspective on the growth and community of each graduate, we ask each graduate to create a short slideshow/ video documenting his/her life. This video is shown during the graduation ceremony. This project will be assigned in Bible class during the 4th quarter, so students will learn more about the project details and requirements at that time.

 

Valedictorian

Each year, school leadership will select a graduating senior to be named class valedictorian for excellence in academic work based on the following considerations.

Valedictorians are expected to give a 4-5 minute speech during the graduation ceremony.

 

Preparing for the Next Season

CRICS desires to help our 12th grade students prepare for a successful transition into their next season of life. The following are ways that CRICS aims to assist our students.

 

Senior Seminar

All 12th Grade students will participate in the Senior Seminar class. The main purpose of this class is to give guidance to students on the various aspects of choosing and applying for university. This class meets two times per week and is taught by the school’s Academic Counselor.

 

Higher Education Application Process

Since the application process and timelines vary depending on location of the university, very few generalizations can be made about the application process. However, we give these general pieces of advice for the students applying for university:

 

For Students Headed to the USA