Mr. Sabbagh’s English Classroom Contract and Expectations
Welcome Back Raiders!
I know summer went by too fast, but the year will come and go just as fast, TRUST ME! I know that this year at John A. Rowland High School will be the hardest and first or last year for you at Rowland.
Quote for the year:
“Knowledge is Power.”
-Francis Bacon
*Course description: This two- semester course will provide students the knowledge and opportunities to explore and analyze a wide variety of different and genre based literature. Students will cover the following literary genres: novel, drama, short story, poetry, biography, non- fiction, and essays. Through this rigorous course, each student will be able to gain more insight as to what the meaning of literature is and be able to interpret and connect their own personal opinions, along with facts, to society and their own life. This course will provide all students a further expansion of knowledge in the Language Arts skills such as grammar, vocabulary, spelling, reading, oral presentations, research, writing, and the use of technology.
* A sheet will be attached explaining the overall class description.
Class Materials:
1. A spiral notebook for three- subjects
2. Pen, pencil, and paper
3. Class textbook(s)
4. All other class materials that will be needed for class will be provided by the classroom teacher.
Please have your five-subject spiral notebook by:
August 21st, 2015.
Classroom Procedures and Policies:
A. Classroom Procedures:
1. Beginning of the class procedures: At the beginning of class, all students will be required to participate in the activities that will become procedures as the class progresses. When asked to be ready to discuss literature, all students will be ready to do so. Note: There may be beginning class quizzes. These cannot be made up if you are tardy or have an unexcused absence. Make sure that you are in class when the bell rings.
2. Spiral Notebook Notes: These are a must for the class. I require each student to obtain and maintain a class spiral notebook to keep track of work, have proof of the completed assignment(s)/ work, and to organize the year according to notes for each major unit or piece of literature studied. AVID (take notes here):
3. Participation: This is the last classroom procedure. Each semester you will receive a participation grade totaling 10-15 % of the class points. For example, if there are 1500 points for the entire semester, 10-15 % turns out to be 225 points. Your participation grade is based on your individual level of participation. If you really want to boost this portion of your grade, you need to participate in class discussions and be present. AVID (take notes here):
B. Classroom Policies:
1. Grading Policy:
All students will be graded on the same scale.
AVID (take notes here):
Each student’s grade is determined by percentages: Regular/Honors/SDAIE classes only
35% Tests and Quizzes
35% Essays and Writing Assessments
15% Homework and Projects
15% Class contribution/collaboration-You must be in class to receive these points. Each day we will be doing some kind of activity, collaboration, discussion, etc. If you are absent or tardy, you will not be able to participate (for tardiness, depending on how late you are). Since I am aiming for 100% participation this year in class activities/work, you must be in class and ready for the day to fully participate.
Tardy and Excessive Absences disclaimer: IF YOU HAVE A TENDENCY TO HAVE EXCESSIVE ABSENCES, YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE PASSING THIS COURSE.
*Cell phone use in class: If you excessively use your cellular phone in class. Your name will be added to a list and if you are on the list three or more times, you will be given detention and/or lose points for excessive use.
2. Behavior Policy:
Classroom Rules:
A). Be in class, your seat, and ready to work when the bell rings.
B). Have all classroom material with you at all times. This includes your spiral notebook, a pen or pencil, paper, and your textbook when asked for. Note if you excessively do not have your class work with you or class materials, you will and can be docked 50 % of the points possible if you need to go to your locker for your book or any material that you have forgotten to bring excessively.
C). Be responsible and respectful to your classmates, your teacher, and most importantly, yourself. Live the RAIDER GOALS! THINK, COMMUNICATE and CONTRIBUTE!
D). Profanity will not be tolerated at all.
E). Be the best student you can at all times when you are in and out of class. You are a representative of this class, be proud of it.
F). Referrals will be written for tardies and cell phone checking and/or using. They will also be confiscated. You will be allowed to pick up your cell phone at lunch or after school depending on teacher convenience.
G). Make-up tests will only be given on a day designated by the teacher. If you cannot make the day, you miss the points of the exam. This also goes for homework. If you are consistently absent, you will not be able to make-up class or homework.
H) Please turn off all cell-phones or Ipods. These items will be confiscated if asked for.
*Classroom Consequences of Negative Behavior:
1. A single warning will be given for any disruptive behavior or failure to meet any of the classroom rules (this includes not being prepared for the day’s work).
2. Student will be warned again and be asked to stay after class for three minutes during passing period.
3. If warned a third time, student will be asked to stay five minutes after class and be given a referral with in school suspension.
4. Student will receive a phone call home or blackboard call if he or she persists in disrupting the class.
5. Student will have a Parent/ Student/ Teacher/ and Counselor or Administrator conference to resolve problem.
6. If a student is tardy or absent excessively, he or she will be asked to attend after school detentions to make up missed time if the absences or tardies are continuous and if they are not medically related.
* NOTE: Mr. Sabbagh reserves the right to change or jump consequences when he sees fit or to match the offense.
3. Homework and Project Policy:
A. ANY PROJECT OR HOMEWORK NOT TURNED IN ON TIME, WHETHER TO MR. SABBAGH, TURNITIN.COM, OR DURING YOUR RESPECTIVE PERIOD, WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF A ZERO. YOUR ABSENCE DOES NOT CLEAR YOU FROM TURNING IN YOUR WORK ON TIME. IF YOU SHOW UP TO ANY CLASS BEFORE OR AFTER MY CLASS, YOU MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN IN YOUR WORK. WITH REGARDS TO A QUIZ, EXAM, OR ESSAY- YOU WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT.
B. Printing out papers or homework will also result in a FULL-GRADE deduction for the final grade of the work or project (if done excessively - more than twice).
C. Any project that is explained in class and has specific restrictions, deadlines, or guidelines must be followed to the letter. If the work/ project is anything but aligned with the guidelines, this will also result in a deduction of one full-grade off the final score.
D. Make-up work may be assigned during the semester to account for zeros on homework, projects, and emails. This will be determined by need of the class as a whole. Meaning, if there are many missing assignments, Mr. Sabbagh may feel the need to allow late work to be turned in. Do not lose any assignments you do not turn in or complete. It is more than likely Mr. Sabbagh will assign a window to turn in past homework, projects, or emails for partial credit.
Dear Parent (s)/ Guardian (s),
I hope that you have read and understood the classroom contract and expectations with your son or daughter. It is highly important that you know exactly what is expected of them and what they will go through in my class this year. I encourage you to contact me any time you need to at: 626- 854- 8520, ext. 3312. You can also email me at, . If you would like to visit my homework page, you can visit the school website. Please return the bottom portion of this contract to me by August 21st, 2015. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mason Sabbagh
Educator
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Both my son or daughter and I have read and understood the above contract that my son or daughter will be required to fulfill and maintain during the 2015- 2016 school year in Mr. Sabbagh’s English class. I understand the grading, attendance/tardy, and behavior policies and know exactly how my son or daughter’s grade will be determined. I have also read, closely, the section of this syllabus on Homework and Projects and completely agree with the consequences cited.
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Student signature Date
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Parent/ Guardian Signature Date