Federal Way Public Schools Course Syllabus 2017-2018

Thomas Jefferson High School

Federal Way Public Schools Course Syllabus 2017-2018

Class: AVID 9

Period: 3rd Period (Red Day)

Teacher Name (Room Number): Ms. Sara Tenzler (P-10)

Communication: Phone: 253-945-5729

Email: or (google address)

Course Summary/Goals: AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It is a school-wide system that supports all students. The AVID elective class is for students seeking entry into a technical, two-year or four-year college or university who are committed to working hard, taking rigorous academic classes, being involved in extracurricular activities, and graduating on time. The AVID elective is an opt-in program where students commit to growing in the key areas of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR)

As an AVID student, your goals will include:

1.  Academic success in college-preparatory courses

2.  Successful completion of college eligibility requirements

3.  Become part of leadership within the school and community

As an AVID student, your responsibilities will include:

1.  I will take ownership of my own learning and for maintaining satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all my classes.

2.  I will maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

3.  I will maintain enrollment in college-prep courses (including MYP and DP)

4.  I will attend summer school as needed to take additional coursework and/or to raise my grades to maintain my college eligibility.

5.  I will be an active learner, be prepared for all classes with all assigned work completed, take Cornell notes, and be an active participant in all activities.

6.  I will come to AVID class prepared for tutorial sessions by bringing higher level questions, my AVID binder with Cornell notes, and my textbooks. I will ask questions to help my peers and collaborate with my classmates and tutors to find the answers to my own questions.

7.  I will participate in extracurricular activities and community service.

8.  I will prepare for and take college entrance exams such as the PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, etc.

9.  I will seek help from my classmates, my parents, my teachers, Ms. Tenzler, and Administration when needed.

10.  I will not give up on myself, even when it gets difficult.

General Information:

·  SUPPLIES: notebook for class and for tutorials & folder for college related paperwork

·  DO NOT THROW OUT ANY WORK - file it!

·  EXTRA HELP: If a student is having trouble they should speak with the teacher as soon as possible. The teacher will work with the student to schedule time for extra help. Extra help is available before and after school most days

·  Students have been issued a school planner. Please remind them to write their assignments in it daily and check it often. This book also has their bathroom passes and a copy of the student handbook for your reference.

·  Students must carry their ID card on campus at all time.

·  Students are recommended to carry a small amount of change, as printing in the school library costs ten cents.

·  Computers are available for student use. They must have their parent or guardian sign a technology permission form. Please do this as soon as possible. All student use on the computers is monitored.

Classroom Expectations:

Students at Thomas Jefferson High School will take pride in their efforts will put these guidelines into action each day.

Expectations / BE KIND / BE RESPONSIBLE / BE SAFE
Arrival / If tardy, please enter quietly without interrupting. / Please be in class on time. / Please be in your seat when class begins with your bags tucked under your desk.
Individual Seatwork / Talking is kept to a minimum or not at all so everyone can concentrate. / Use your class time, limiting distractions from classmates or technology. / Minimize movements around the room.
Group Work / Share the responsibility and help each other succeed. / Keep yourself and others on task and focused. / Conversations and vocabulary should be appropriate to school so that everyone can feel included and comfortable.
Teacher Instruction / Refrain from speaking during instruction. / Listen carefully for directions. / Minimize movements around the room.
When You Finish Work / Allow others around you to finish by limiting distracting behavior and using free time to catch up on other work or read. / Double check that your full name and period is on your paper and that you turn your work into the basket on time. / Minimize movements around the room.

The International Baccalaureate:

Middle Years Program (MYP)

The goal of the IB MYP program is to provide a balanced, rigorous program that provides all students with the ability to be successful in further academic studies.

MYP has four major assessment criteria in Course Name, and rubrics for each will be used to assess student work: Fill in based on your department’s MYP grading areas.

A.  Knowing and Understanding

B.  Investigating

C.  Communicating

D.  Thinking Critically

Diploma Program (DP)

We are confident that you are capable of handling the academic rigor of this class providing that you work hard and regularly attend class. IB DP classes are internationally moderated so there are specific requirements regarding the curriculum that must meet the international standard. Colleges are going to understand the skills that you take with you because of this set of standards and curriculum. You may earn college credit with successful IB testing scores. The FWPS pays the cost for all IB tests. If you have difficulties in the class, please ask for help from the classroom teacher and/or Ms. Carol Lee, IB DP coordinator as soon as possible so that we can help you accomplish what you are capable of. All students in any DP classes must sign an honor code that states that students will not have any incidences of academic malpractice. If your IB DP class is a testing level class, it is expected that all students in the class will sit for the exams and will try their best to succeed.

Assessments:

·  Tutorials, Grade Checks, Binder Checks, Cornell Notes, Reading & Writing Assignments, Reflections

Homework Procedures/Expectations:

·  Spend 15 minutes reviewing classroom notes each night (Cornell Method)

·  Grade Checks (every 2 weeks)

·  Binder Checks (every 2 weeks)

Grading Procedures

The Federal Way Grading System

·  Each course has a set of learning standards (priority standards). These can be accessed on the FWPS website (http://www.fwps.net/teaching/sbe/staff/priority-standards/6-12/)

·  Individual assignments are linked to one or more priority standards, and the score for that assignment will be averaged with all other assignment scores in that priority standard, resulting in an overall score for that standard.

·  The class grade is the result of the average of all priority standard scores.

·  Please check your child’s grade frequently using the district app or ParentVue.

·  You may need to contact the counseling office to get the password for your student ()

Thomas Jefferson High School Grading System:

1-4 BAME Scale

In the grade book, students will be graded on a 1-4. 1 = Below Standard, 2=Approaching Standard, 3 = Meeting Standard and 4 = Exceeding Standard. As there is no “0” score available, a “1” will also be given to students who do not turn in an assignment. Class grade barriers are as follows: A = 4.0-3.5, B = 3.5-3.0, C= 3.0-2.3, F= below 2.3

Teaches will make an effort to note in the grade book if an assignment is missing to help parents and students keep track of what is missing.

Reassessment Policy:

·  TJHS students will have multiple opportunities to achieve mastery of a Priority Standard. This includes re-taking portions of tests (Policy 2420P), recognizing that students learn at different rates and times.

·  Students are guaranteed at least two attempts for each priority standard. In some courses, multiple attempts are offered in class. In other courses, the second attempt takes the form of a retake. In this course and in the social studies department, students will typicallyhave multiple opportunities rather than retakes, as described below.

Reassessments fall into two categories: Multiple Opportunities or Retakes.

Multiple Opportunities:

Teachers will communicate when a particular standard will be assessed again as part of the curriculum. These “multiple opportunities”, as defined by the teacher, are offered to all students as part of the designed curriculum. Students need to show no extra readiness to participate.

Retakes:

·  Retakes will be worth the same score as the original assessment or assignment. Any assignment given for practice or completion will not be used to determine a student’s grade, but can be entered into the grade book for communication.

·  Specifics for this class: some quizzes and tests will be offered for retakes. However, most assignments fall under the “multiple opportunities” category as described above.

Formula for Success:

1.  Arrive on time and prepared for class

2.  Utilize the goals of the IB Learner Profile - Approach your classes with a growth mindset. The learning is the most important element. Take pride in your own work, acknowledge when you have fallen short of your capabilities, and learn from your errors.

3.  Students take responsibility for their learning by:

·  Bring Planner to class daily

·  Complete daily work on time

·  Communicate with teacher and parents about class information and needs

·  Check grades regularly on StudentVue (Grades will be updated at least every 3 weeks)

Attendance and Tardies:

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. When students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.

Attendance is key to student success. Your child is less likely to succeed if he/she is chronically absent or late (excused or unexcused). Chronic absence is defined as more than 8 absences a year. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Students are expected to be in class when the bell rings. After an absence, students must follow up with the teacher about missed work. The daily standards, expectations Do-Now review are shared at the beginning of the period. Students arriving late to class may miss out on the tools they need to be successful in class.

How to get help:

Raider Advantage in the Library at TJ will be open after school Mondays through Thursdays from 2:15 to 4:00 for students to work on homework or projects. Tutors and staff are available during this time. An activity bus is available to take students home at 4:00 on these afternoons.

Academic Integrity:

At TJ, academic integrity is a guiding principle in all classes. Students must be diligent in protecting their academic reputation and avoiding all forms of plagiarism, academic misconduct, collusion, and cheating.

Discipline:

District policies apply. Each student is accountable for his/her own actions. To be successful, each student must treat others in a respectful manner. When a student does not uphold the rules, there will be a fair and clear process to resolve the situation. The student, teacher, administrator and parent will work together to resolve situations and assign consequences as needed.

Details on policy can be found in the student planner and the Rights and Responsibilities handbook.

9th grade discipline is handled by Dean of Students Gracie Holden.

Revised August, 2016

TJHS Family/Staff

Academic Plan 2016-2017

Signature & Communication Form

Class: Period: ______

Teacher:

Please return this page with the following information to the teacher listed above:

My child learns best when: (optional)

My child’s greatest strength is…

COMMUNICATION:

Parent/Guardian Name: / ______
Email Address: / ______
Preferred Phone #: / ______Best time to call: ______
Parent/Guardian Name: / ______
Email Address: / ______
Preferred Phone #: / ______Best time to call: ______

INTERNET ACCESS

Does your student have daily and reliable Internet access for schoolwork purposes (checking assignments, doing research, accessing online textbooks)? Please circle one.

YES / LIMITED / NO

We have read and understand this invitation to learn as described in the attached Academic Plan. Our signatures show that we are setting a course for success in this class.

Student Name (please print) ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______Date ______

Please keep the Course Syllabus for future reference and return this page to the teacher.