Welcome to A.V.I.D.

Advancement Via Individual Determination

AVID Mission Statement

AVID's mission is...

Our mission is student-focused, but our work transforms the behaviors and expectations of the teachers who support the AVID student. Our mission centers on the goals our students set out to achieve.

...to close the achievement gap

At AVID, we seek to close the achievement gap by improving the performance of all students, especially those who have not traditionally succeeded in completing college entrance requirements: students who are underrepresented in four-year colleges and universities, students in the academic middle, students who are the first in their family to go to college.

...by preparing all students

A common misconception about AVID is that we focus solely on minority and low-income students. Not at all! AVID is a college readiness system that starts in elementary school. We have a school-wide approach for elementary grades where AVID is available to ALL students. In middle and high school, we target a core population of students who enroll in an AVID elective class. As the system takes root in secondary schools, AVID gradually expands school-wide to serve all students. AVID Postsecondary continues to support students in their efforts to earn a college degree by developing the skills needed to persist in college.

...for college readiness

Because AVID provides students with a clearly defined and delineated road map, they gain the confidence needed to pursue their dreams of college. AVID prepares students for the rigors of college, and provides them with academic skills, content knowledge, and social adaptability needed for college success.

...and success in a global society.

The AVID system empowers students by instilling in them the academic and social skills needed to successfully complete college and become responsible participants and leaders in our global society.

The PLHS AVID program is a four-year regularly scheduled elective college preparatory class for students with academic potential.

Roles and Responsibilities of an AVID Student

  • Take individual responsibility for your own success
  • Want to succeed
  • Exhibit positive attitudes towards yourself and others
  • Be open to new experiences
  • Become an independent learner
  • Come to class prepared
  • Serve as a role model for other students
  • Keep your parents informed of your progress
  • Become involved in campus activities

What are the requirements of the Program?

  • Desire and determination
  • Motivation to seek a four-year college education
  • A commitment to take the most rigorous courses appropriate at each grade level
  • Meet the minimum college a-g requirements
  • Maintain excellent citizenship and attendance in all classes
  • Maintain a minimumfour-year college grade point average
  • A commitment to two hours minimum of homework each night
  • Should meet one or more of the following criteria:
  1. First generation in his/her family to attend college
  2. Historically “least served” in four-year colleges/universities
  3. Low income
  4. Special circumstances
PLHS 9thand 10th Grade AVID Course Syllabus & Student Contract

Course Content and Performance Standards

There are three key components to the AVID curriculum: The academic component, the tutorial component, and the outreach component. AVID Students meet Point Loma High School’s ESLR’s via WICOR methodologies; tutorial; community service; club activity; completion of a-g academic course requirements; tutorials; college, financial aid and career/major research; and additional AVID curriculum.

Academic Component

The AVID curriculum puts a great deal of emphasis on learning through thinking and writing. Students are taught study skills such as goal setting, time management, listening, note taking, textbook reading and library/internet research. Each student is required to have a three ring, oversized binder that organizes class-work into sections of class notes, assignments, time-planning and tutorial assistance. Students are graded on the completeness, organization, and maintenance of their notebooks, which are collected and graded each week.

Materials: Students need a 1 ½ - 2”, 3 ring binder and dividers, which students are expected to bring to all classes daily. A2013-14 PLHS Planner is provided to all students and must be brought to class daily. College-rule paper, pens, and pencils, must also be brought to all classes daily. Students must also provide their own USB or use Google docs. for saving schoolwork.

Tutorial Component

Two days a week, students participate in a tutorial in assigned subject areas. Students are assigned to certain tutorial groups based on need. Conferences with students and progress report grades will be taken into consideration before tutorial placement. This is not a study hall or a time to simply do homework. These sessions are used to discuss higher level questions and class notes, review for tests, and solve difficult homework problems. Individual tutoring and homework time is available during Advisory and after school in the library.

Tutors are here to guide discussions, not hand out answers, and they are to be treated with respect.

Outreach Component

Students will be assisted in the college admissions process through help with testing requirements, college selection and admissions, and financial aid preparation. Career opportunities and interests will also be explored. Students will learn a great deal from guest speakers and field trips to local colleges and universities.

Fundraising

AVID fundraising events will take place throughout the school year and AVID student attendance is highly encouraged. Our goal is that each AVID student/parent will do whatever he/she can to help ensure activities such as AVID Night at Knott’s Berry Farm, college fieldtrips, gingerbread tutorial, senior scholarships, and end of the year party and special items such as AVID T-shirts, AVID binders, free color printing and additional AVID classroom supplies are available. It is imperative that each member of the AVID family do their part to help out. Much of what we offer in terms of fieldtrips and activities, as well as all the extras we have such as computers, test prep books, and art supplies has been bought with money raised from fundraising. Fundraising helps keep AVID extra fun!

PLHS AVID Course Requirements

Grade 9/10: AVID

Description: Awareness and willingness to learn and own AVID methodologies. This course assists students with rigorous high school classes and prepares them for college level courses. Students are introduced to proper organization, note-taking, learning strategies, critical thinking, solid academic habits/behaviors, and working both independently and within groups. Students participate in tutorials, college campus visits, and college fairs – as well as a variety of additional college/career research.

Please remember that to be an AVID student is a privilege. Each of you must have a commitment to the program. These are the minimal requirements:

  1. All 9th/10thgrade students should workto maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.8 in a-g classes; you are expected to do better.
  1. Students must maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all classes. No truancies, N’s or U’s.
  2. Each student must spend time every night to doing homework, taking notes, studying…. If your assignments are completed, you should spend your time reviewing/recopying notes and reading.
  1. All students must commit themselves to earning grades no lower than a ‘C’ in courses required for college. Colleges will not accept D’s or F’s.
  2. All students must meet all high school graduation and a-g college course requirements, and are encouraged to take the most rigorous courses offered at the 9thand 10thgrade levels.
  3. All students must submit a San Diego City Schools Lunch Application, which is used to determine fee waiver status for college tests and applications.
  4. All students are are encouragedto take the PSAT in the Fall.
  5. All 9th and 10th grade AVIDstudentswill keep a college portfolio with college information, writing prompt reflections, as well as ideas for essays and future writings for both scholarships/college essays.
  6. All students will be required to participate in 5 extended opportunities such as clubs, scholarship programs, internships and/or volunteer opportunities.
  7. This course is offered 6thand 7thperiod. Tardiness &/or truancy will not be tolerated!
  8. Every 3 weeks, all AVID students are given and must complete an AVID progress report to be filled out by each of their teachers and signed by their parents/guardians. Based upon 3/6 week progress report results, AVID students will be placed in appropriate Intervention classes during 5th period. During AVID, the AVID teacher will hold individual grade conferences with students to discuss progress and a plan of action for success. AVID students who are not meeting the “C” requirement at each 6 week progress report period will berequired to attend after school tutoring a minimum of three hours per week; Parent/teacher/AVID conferences will be required at the 12 week grading period for AVID students not meeting core academic grade requirements. AVID Probation Contract w/action plan for improvement will be included in the meeting.

If minimal requirements are not met, students may be permanently dropped from the AVID Program.

AVID Grading Policies

Academic Grades will be based on a point system that translates into the following percentages:

A = 100 - 90%AVID Binder (Binder Evaluations 25% & Tutorial 25%) = 50%
B = 89 - 80%Additional Class Assignments = 50%
C = 79 - 70%
D = 69 - 60%

F = 59 – 50%

Citizenship grades will be based on the PLHS Citizenship Rubric using the following tardy and truancy policies:

2 Tardies = Maximum S 1st Truancy = Maximum U

3 Tardies = Maximum N 1 or More Uncleared Absences = Truancy

4Tardies = Maximum U

AVID Behavior Expectations

This classroom is dedicated to the ideal that all students have a right to learn and be successful in and out of school. Therefore, with this ideal in mind, this classroom upholds the following principles:

  1. Remember: Respect, Responsibility & Safety
  2. Students will attend class on time daily
  3. Students will be on task at all times
  4. Students will be in their seat with all required materials when the bell rings
  5. Students will be respectful to all persons, belongings, and beliefs
  6. Students will obey instructions the first time they are given
  7. Students will be honest
  8. Students will not use profanity
  9. Students will obey all school rules
  10. Students will be dismissed by the teacher not the bell

Additional Guidelines for AVID Students

  1. The students in AVID function like a family. We all need to take responsibility for helping one another set and achieve goals. Students will be asked to help tutor one another, participate in fund-raisers and community events. These tasks should be undertaken cheerfully and enthusiastically.
  2. Because there are tutorial days, talking in the classroom is necessary. Students need to remember that although discussion is fundamental to the tutorial process, the room needs to be quiet enough for everyone to study.
  3. Students need to arrive to class on time with the needed materials (binders, paper, planner…) for the day.
  4. My desk and its contents, as well as my office and telephone are off limits to students without my permission.
  5. All students should help clean and straighten the room before leaving for their next class.
  6. In the event of my absence, I expect you to follow all classroom guidelines in my absence.

Failure to adhere to AVID Program Guidelines and Requirements, Classroom Guidelines, Behavior Expectations, and School Policies and Procedures (including the PLHS Academic Honesty & Anti-Bullying Policies) will result in being dropped from the AVID Program.

AVID Parent/Teacher/Student Communication

My preparation time and conference period is 2nd Period. I am also available after school upon request and advance notice. Please feel free to phone the school or email me with any questions or concerns you may have. If I am unable to take your call, please leave me a detailed message and/or send me an email I will get back to you within 24 hours. Our communication is extremely important to the success of our students.

I am looking forward to a very successful and rewarding school year as one of Point Loma High School’s AVID Teachers. This year will be a learning experience for all of us. Please know that I am open to any suggestions that will help make this year a good one for all of us.

Ms. Leah Allen

Room 408

619-223-3121 X 4408Email:

PLHS AVID Contract: Student & Parent Signature Page

All AVID Students are required to have a valid email address (preferably gmail), if you do not have one please sign up for one ASAP!

We have read and understand the AVID Course Syllabus/AVID Contract which we have read and printed out from the PLHS Website and agree to support the efforts of this student in meeting the AVID Program & Course Requirements.

AVID Enrollment Date:(Semester & Year began high school AVID)

AVID Student Name:

Email Address:

Cellphone #:

Signed:Today’s Date:

(Student)

AVID Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Home #:

Cellphone #:

Email Address:

Signed:Today’s Date:

(Parent/Guardian)