Project

Proposal

Ray Tischio
Project Proposal
October 23, 2015

A.

ABSTRACT
My paper and project are titled Examining Parental Mental Illness in
Family Law; Families
I have selected this topic because I am passionate about raising awareness
for the overlooked impacts that parental mental illness poses on children. Through
legal proceedings, the best interest of the child and his/her future should be
placed as priority. I am interested into answering questions delving into family
court procedures, and the general implications of parental mental illness for
children, as well as whether or not these implications are taken into consideration
during decisions of visitation or custody arrangements. What are the
consequences of parental mental illness on a child? What factors does a judge take
into his/her discretion while deciding on a proper custody and visitation
arrangement for a child? To what extent are court officials, social workers, and
judges knowledgeable about mental diagnoses, as well as red flags of
undiagnosed mental illness? What constitutes an unsafe or safe environment
for children to exist in? To what extent are mental illness impacts emphasized
and recognized in a family court setting?
In raising awareness for this topic, I will write and illustrate a childrens
book relating to elementary students suffering from an unstable home life, which

highlights a focus on education, sports and activities, and finding a trusted outlet
(guidance counselor, family-friend, teacher) in dealing with their difficult times.
My book will emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy mindset despite
issues occurring at home, and will reinforce the capabilities of all children to
succeed in school, activities, and passions. It is important for children to not feel
alone in unspoken issues such as this, as well as not at fault for any issues at
home.
Dr. Godfrey has agreed to advise my project. With his substantial
experience in English and childhood development, he will be able to assist me on
potential ideas for my childrens book, and the details following its completion.
Creating a childrens book will most likely entail finding an affordable publisher,
as well as deciding on a method of illustration (digital, drawn, etc.). The actual
writing of the book can be typed, and later formatted into whatever medium it
needs to be. Aside from the actual making of the book, I will not need many
materials to accomplish this project. However, I will need contacts of local
elementary schools guidance departments to later donate my book to.
Raising awareness for parental mental health issues revolves around
children, and promoting childrens stability and success despite obstacles in their
home life. After publishing, I hope to further include students by reaching out to
local elementary schools and donating my childrens book to their guidance
department. In raising a general awareness for the troubling effects parental
mental illness can have on a child, Id like to more specifically reach out to
children impacted by this topic by writing and illustrating a book for guidance
departments to have in dealing with children going through these issues.

By late March I will be contacting and visiting the guidance departments

regarding the topic and donation of my book. By donating this book to elementary
schools, I hope to reach students undergoing problems within their family.
Because parental mental health is a sensitive topic and one not openly or
voluntarily spoken about if a student in a situation such as this were to visit their
school counselor, my book could ensure them that theyre not alone in their
struggles at home, and that their ability to excel in school, sports, and activities is
not impaired. Guidance counselors may often benefit by use of my book, by being
able to give a child something to relate to despite the sensitivity of the topic at
hand.
My finished childrens book can be evaluated by local guidance
counselors who have received and read my book, and can be commented on based
on its effectiveness of addressing the issue of parental mental health while relating
to children. In the future, I hope children will also review my book and evaluate
its helpfulness in dealing with confusion, emotions, and struggles in home life.

B.

LEARNING SKILLS

I will need to learn how to write appropriately for a childrens book,

in a way that is relatable, clear, and coherent to children of elementary and
middle school. Because I most typically write for high school courses
assignments, and because Ive never written a childrens book, I will need
to research how to do so. I plan to contact Legal Studies Academy alumni

students who have written something for children as a part of their project,
and ask them effective ways to enhance this necessary skill.

I will need to learn illustration techniques. Whether done by using a

computer or by hand, I will need to tap into my creative side to brainstorm
meaningful and relevant pictures that coincide with a storyline and plot.

I will need to improve my networking skills. Because Ill be donating

my book to local elementary schools guidance departments, I will have to
reach out to several schools and speak with them about the subject of my
project and writing. Id also like to be able to follow up with them after the
donation of my book, to hear feedback and evaluations of the helpfulness
of my message.

C.

PROJECT STEPS
My project will entail a great deal of documentation. Throughout the writing and
illustration of my childrens book, I will document my progress weekly; allowing
me to stay on task as well as record my actual creation of the project.

Preliminary

Create and outline a story plot, sketch illustration ideas, approximate 7 hours

Steps

a length for the book.

Midway Steps

Revise, revise, and revise!

Write the book.

8 hours

Find an illustration medium or technique and begin illustrating. Find

Later Steps

a publisher.
Revise heavily, publish the book, gather a list of local elementary 6 Hours
schools to contact and speak with, and visit and donate my book.

Follow up

Contact guidance departments and receive evaluations.

25 Total

Thank you notes.

D.

PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
I will be documenting all steps and processes of my paper and project in its
entirety, using the following methods:

Emails. I will document networking. For example, contacting my

consultant, guidance departments, and any other necessary outreach.

Rough drafts and plot outlines. Throughout the writing process, I will
record and save all rough draft ideas, intermediate drafts in progress, and

final drafts.
Illustration sketches. Periodically, I will record and save all illustrations

in progress, monthly and weekly.

Receipts from purchased materials.

I will

save receipts

as

documentation from purchasing writing materials, publishing materials, or

illustration materials.
Pictures. After my finished project, I will be able to take pictures of my
book, and include pictures of donating my book to local guidance
departments and counselors in Virginia Beach.

E.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

Completing a childrens book will be a challenging, but also a suitable

project for my topic as well as my personal interests. Not only is writing one of
my hobbies, but due to the sensitivity of my topic, writing a book is more
appropriate than hosting an event or teaching a classroom. However, this will
certainly be a learning stretch for me. I have not previously learned skills for
childrens writing, and Im not very familiar with the publishing process.
Therefore, Im excited to learn new things I most likely would never experience if
it werent for this project. Another challenging aspect will be found in remaining
unbiased throughout my topic, as I had to do in Ethics and Law last year. My
project aligns closely with my passions for this topic, and Im excited to
accomplish reaching out to children and providing a sense of comfort to them as
they undergo stress from family issues. Despite the known impacts, I feel that it is
important to ensure children are still doing their best in school, and remain
socially, mentally, and physically well as they begin to grow older. My book will
help children cope with parental mental illness through use of childrens literature.

F.

PROJECT-PAPER CONNECTION

While focusing on parental mental illness in the family law system for my
Academic Legal Research paper, I want to reach out to children impacted by this
issue. The family law system revolves around the best interest of the child,
although in many cases, children are still heavily affected by their home life as
well as stereotypes and emotions such as confusion, loneliness, vulnerability, etc.

In writing a childrens book, I will be able to reach out to children and give them a
sense of stability, and send a message that hopefully will make children suffering
from parental mental disorders not feel as alone in their struggles. Similarly to
how childrens books make light of a sensitive topic such as death, and other
concepts difficult to grasp and relate with, I hope my book will ensure them of
their potential to succeed despite their home disadvantages. By donating this
book, guidance counselors will be able to help relate with a child and make this
sensitive issue less immense in giving students a chance to read my book. Based
on my own experiences of time spent in and out of guidance counselors offices in
elementary school, I feel that if there had been a book to read and relate with how
I felt at the time, I may have been less confused and more understanding of my
family atmosphere as it was rapidly changing. Because my academic paper
involves the procedure of implementing visitation and custody in cases handling
parental mental illness, my project will benefit the children impacted by these
decisions and factors in their home life.

G.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project will result in
failure of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my High School
diploma.
H.

COMPLETION DATES

Feb. 12th Progress Report

PRELIMINARY STEPS

Feb. 19th Progress Report

Create and outline a story plot, sketch illustration ideas,

COMPLETION

approximate a length for the book.

Revise, revise, and revise!

Feb. 26 Progress Report

Complete by February 19th.

MIDWAY STEPS

March 4th Progress Report

Write the book.

COMPLETION

Find an illustration medium or technique and begin

th

illustrating. Find a publisher.

March 11 Progress Report

Complete by first week of March.

LATER STEPS

March 18th Progress Report

Revise heavily, publish the book, gather a list of local

COMPLETE BY

elementary schools to contact and speak with, and visit and

MID-MARCH

donate my book.

th

Mid-March- have book published, have contacted guidance

th

March 25 Progress Report

departments to donate book to.

FOLLOW UP
Contact guidance departments and receive evaluations. Thank

April 1st Progress Report, you notes.

completing portfolio.

Complete by end of March. (25th)

Complete portfolio by April 8th.

I.

PARENT AGREEMENT

As a First Colonial High School, Legal Studies Academy parent, I recognize all parts of
the Senior Project are graduation requirements and I intend to support my student
throughout the process.

I understand the physical project must be a product or performance which takes at least
20 hours outside of class time to complete, and which challenges my son/daughters
current skills and knowledge. Additionally, I recognize I may obtain needed information
via the Senior Project Manual; posted online.
I fully understand this project selection decision is made independently of the staff and
administration of First Colonial High School. The project selection and approval is
parent and student-centered. Final approval for the project is governed by the Senior
Project Advisory Board.
Due to the importance of the Senior Project, submittal of a project without approval will
result in a failure or forfeit of Legal Studies Graduation. Thus, if the project or consultant
is altered or changed, a Project Revision Form must be submitted by November 20,
2015.
Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________ Date _________________
Day Phone ____________________

Evening Phone _________________________

Student Name ____________________________________________________________

Student Signature _________________________________

Date _________________

Student E-mail ___________________________________

K.
TEACHER APPROVAL
I have read this Proposal Packet, asked for clarification when needed, and believe this
project will challenge the student.
Teacher ___________________________________ Block __________
Teacher Signature ________________________________ Date ____________

L.

CONSULTANT CONTRACT

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________

Dear Prospective Senior Project Consultant:
To satisfy the requirements for First Colonial High Schools Legal Studies Academy
(LSA) Senior Project, each LSA senior must complete a project challenging the student
and requires 20 hours to complete. The student must create a product or performance
which is measurable and corresponds directly with his/her Academic Legal Research
paper. In order to carry out this project, the student needs a project consultant, someone
from the community with interest, time and expertise to help the student complete the

project. Project consultants have the unique opportunity to help a student in a very
meaningful learning experience.
Please read the list below to be sure you qualify as a project consultant, and you are
willing to undertake this service for the student named above.
The Project Consultant:
Must be an adult, 21 years or older
Must be willing to attend any project event(s) planned
Must be knowledgeable in the field the student has chosen.
Must be willing to oversee 20 hours or more of students work on the project via
personal, phone, or email contact.
Must be willing to sign this contract explaining the roles and responsibilities of the
student and consultant after reviewing project proposal and clarifying project with the
student.
Must be willing to sign a log of students hours, progress reports or discuss students
hours via phone interview.
Must be willing to write an evaluation of the students project upon completion with
forms provided.
Must not help the student with writing the research paper or creating the final
presentation.
If you are willing to act as the students project consultant, please read and discuss with
the student his/her project description, explanation of personal challenge, and rough
outline of the project. The student is responsible for meeting all deadlines and
completing the project. The student should inform you of those deadlines and establish a
schedule of meetings with you.
If you do not feel the student has met the discussed expectations, you may refuse to sign
off on this project. If this situation occurs, students will be required to meet with the
Senior Project Coordinator to discuss the completion of this project or possibly proposing
a new project.
To help us ensure the student has an appropriate project consultant, please provide the
information requested at the end of this contract. First Colonial High Schools Legal
Studies Academy thanks you for your time and interest in our students. Please feel free
to e-mail Susan Van Schenck, the Senior Project Instructor, at
susan.vanschenck@vbschools.com with any questions about the project.
To the Project Consultant: Please provide the information requested and sign on the
appropriate line below.

Name _______________________________________ Phone (Day) ________________

Business/Organization _________________________Phone (Evening) ______________

Address_________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________

Would you be willing to advise other students in the same area?

YES

NO

Please explain your qualifications in the project area to help this student:

What will be your role, your contribution to the students Senior Project?

I have discussed the project proposal with the student. The project meets the
requirements, and I agree to act as this students project consultant.
______________________________________________Date______________________
(Project Consultant Signature)
I understand as the student, I am responsible for meeting all deadlines, for meeting
regularly with my Project Consultant, and for completing the Senior Project. I
understand my Project Consultant will help me with the project phase and is not
responsible for helping me with my paper or my presentation.
_______________________________________________Date____________________
(Student Signature)