Dear Member of the Class of 2016:

Welcome to St. Peter Chanel High School. We are happy you have chosen to become a Firebird. 

The English Department at Chanel values reading and writing all year long, not only during the months a student is in school. For this reason, we assign summer reading and summer writing projects to all students. Because the freshman English class is writing based, you will be completing a writing project this summer that will be turned in to your freshman English teacher during the first week of school. The exact date will be given once you arrive in August. The writing project will be the very first high school grade you receive in your English class, so doing well on the project will get your first quarter grade off to a good start.

You will be completing a series of four writing prompts, which are listed here. It is preferable that the responses be typed, but if that is problematic, you may hand write. Double space if you type and skip lines if you hand write. Please number each response to correspond with the number of the prompt. Answer all questions for the prompt. If you cannot answer any part of the question, please say so in your response. Your responses will be evaluated on the quality of your writing, the honesty of your response, and the length of each response. Each response should be at least 300-400 words long. Responses can be longer if you wish. Create a cover sheet for your responses that includes your name and a recent photo of yourself. The cover should also be decorated with computer art or original art in a fashion that describes you.

If you have any questions about the project as the summer progresses, please feel free to call me at 440-232-5900 ext. 121 or email me at jmiroglotta@stpeterchanel.com. Do not wait until the end of the summer to complete your assignment. You will do your best work if you give yourself enough time to think through each response and write each one well. Remember to proofread your work. 

The writing prompts are on the reverse side of this letter. Have a good summer, take your writing project seriously, and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Miroglotta
Dean of Academics

Freshman Summer Writing Project
Worth 120 points

Answer each of the following prompts as completely and honestly as you can. Your responses will enable your English teacher to get to know you and to get a sample of your writing. Each answer should be at least 300-400 words long, but you may write more if you wish. There is no penalty for writing more. Type your responses if possible. Handwrite if you cannot type. Do all of the work yourself. Staple all responses together with your cover sheet.

1. Describe your family. Who do you live with? Write a description of each person in your family or household. What things does your family do together? What does your family value? How does your family celebrate? (25 points)

2. Describe your education. What schools have you attended in your life? What are your favorite subjects? What are your least favorite subjects? How do you learn best? What motivates you to learn? What types of books do you like to read? What was the best book you ever read? Why did you like it? What are your educational goals? (25 points)

3. Describe your interests. What do you like to do in your free time? What kinds of sports do you like? What kinds of music do you like?  Do you play an instrument? If so, what do you play? Are you an artist or an actor? How do you think your interests will contribute to your future career? (25 points)

4. Describe your religious views. What religion, if any, do you practice? What is your vision of God? Who taught you about God? What events or ceremonies are part of your religious upbringing? What person do you admire for his or her religious views? Why? (25 points)

Don’t forget to create a cover sheet for your project. Include your name, a recent photo of yourself, and any other pictures, graphics or words that describe you. (20 points)

The writing project is due the first week of class. Exact date will be given in August.