Wheaton North High School
“Home of the Falcons”
701 W. Thomas Road Telephone: (630) 784-7300
Wheaton, IL 60187 www.wnhs.org FAX: (630) 682-2158
January 19, 2016
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Welcome to Communication Studies at Wheaton North High School! This course provides students with an important opportunity to develop essential skills to communicate effectively. Students participate in a variety of activities to extend their speaking and listening skills in preparation for college and career.
A communication course is required for all students as part of a balanced high school education. Because this course is not an elective, it is important to understand the expectations of the department. In order to create a positive class climate in which all students feel comfortable and valued, the department has outlined the following policies:
Attendance and Participation
Because Communication Studies is a participation-based class, it is important for students to attend class regularly. Make up work cannot replace participation in class activities. Students are expected to contact the teacher for all missed work. If the student is scheduled to present and needs to be absent, please email the teacher before class.
Tardies are disruptive to class. Students are expected to be on time to class regularly. School policy states that students who are late to class more than four times are referred to the Dean’s office.
Speech Performance Day
Honoring commitments is an important life skill. Due to the scheduling of 25-30 individual speeches per unit, this is particularly important for Communication Studies.
School policy states that students who are excused from class can make up missed work for full credit. If a student cannot attend class on their assigned delivery day, they are expected to deliver the speech to an audience on the day they return. Students who are unexcused do not receive full credit for missed work.
Students who are not prepared on their speech performance day should be prepared to deliver their speech on the next school day with a 20% deduction. Any speeches made up after the unit is over will suffer a 50% deduction. In order to pass the class all assignments and speeches must be made up by May 20, 2016.
Students enrolled in this course must complete all speeches in order to pass the course.
Dress Code
As part of their experience in this course, students are expected to wear appropriate, professional (business casual) attire to class on the assigned delivery day. This does not necessitate a new wardrobe: borrowing or buying used is encouraged. Time will not be given for students to change into speech clothes before class.
Appropriate speech attire includes the following: dress slacks, khakis, dress, skirt, sweater, blouse, shirt and tie, polo tucked in, and other clothing that would be worn. The following clothing is discouraged on speech performance days: jeans, shorts, mini-skirts, midriff tops, tank tops, sweats, flip flops, jean jackets, combat boots and outerwear. Distracting logos or writing on clothing is also discouraged. Inappropriate attire may have a negative impact on grades.
If you have any further questions, please contact your child’s Communication Studies teacher.
Sincerely,
Gina Churchill Annalise Fischer Franklyn Graf Erin Martin Krystal Sampson
Gina Churchill Annalise Fischer Rob Graf Erin Martin Krystal Sampson
630 784-7300 ext 8305 630 784-7300 ext 8435 630 784-7300 ext 8443 630-784-7300 ext 3064 630-784-7300 ext 3173
Please sign and return to your child’s Communication Studies teacher by Friday January 22, 2016.
I have read and understand the policies for Communication Studies at Wheaton North High School.
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Student Signature ______
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“Home of the Falcons”