Mr. JamesTake ChargeRoom B201/C208

TAKE CHARGE – Career Readiness & Financial Responsibility

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Take Charge is an integrated careers and personal finance course. The course is intended to be part of the LPS overall systematic plan of college and career readiness and will help students become financially responsible, conscientious members of society. Students will set goals and adjust their personal learning plan by identifying their interests, skills and values through academic and career decision-making. Students will develop understanding and skills in money management, budgeting, financial goal attainment, use of credit, insurance, investments and consumer rights and responsibilities. Application of academic concepts, technology, and career planning are integrated throughout the curriculum. The class will help students create and implement their plan for an effective transition from high school to postsecondary education, the workforce, or military based on knowledge of self, career goals and financial consideration.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Explore: Career and Finance Exploration

  • Students will acquire knowledge of self to make informed career decisions.
  • Students will evaluate financial institutions and the services provided.

Prepare: Career and Life Planning

  • Students will explore a variety of careers.
  • Students will investigate postsecondary options and how they align with careers.
  • Students will evaluate savings and investment strategies to achieve financial goals.
  • Students will understand strategies used to establish, build, maintain, monitor and control credit.

Act: I’m prepared, now what?

  • Students will acquire workplace-readiness skills.

Work: Beginning the job, staying employed, and advancing

  • Students will acquire workplace-readiness skills.
  • Students will develop and evaluate a plan to manage their money to achieve personal goals

Plan and Save: Save money and move out of the house

  • Students will develop and evaluate a plan to manage their money to achieve personal goals.
  • Students will understand the perils and risks in life and how to protect against the consequences of risk.

GRADING SCALE

Unit I – Explore 15%

Unit II – Prepare 30%

Unit III – Act 20%

Unit IV – Work 10%

Unit V – Plan and Save 15%

Final – 10%

A / 90 – 100
B+ / 85 – 89
B / 80 – 84
C+ / 75 – 79
C / 70 – 74
D+ / 65 – 69
D / 60 – 64
F / 0 – 59

This course will be graded using a weighted point system. Eighty percent (80%) of the points will be graded as a summative assessment. Twenty percent (20%) of the points will be graded as a formative assessment.

ATTENDANCE

Employers consistently emphasize one of the leading factors teens are losing their jobs is a result of poor attendance. Students need to realize attendance is very important at school and at work. If a student is in class and on time each school day, they greatly improve their chances of learning and passing this or any class.

NOTE – Anyone walking in after the bell rings will be counted tardy.

Students are expected to attend regularly and on time. Unexcused absences will result in action outlined in the LSW Attendance Policy. Your responsibility when you miss class is to do the following:

  1. Check my website and see what we completed. Visit with me about what you need to do to complete work from the day(s) missed.
  2. Be responsible for completing and handing the work in within the allotted time.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

No food or drink in class.

Wear student ID!

During appropriate scheduled times, cell phones may be incorporated into the lesson plan for academic reasons, if using for personal/non-academic reasons the cell phone will be confiscated

Be a positive role model for others.

Bring materials to class every day: pen / pencil, notebook, folder and assignments.

Restroom – please use during passing time – refer to student planner.

Treat each other with respect! Respect the rights of others, their time, space, feelings, ideas, things, and bodies.

Keep computer station neat and treat your computer station as if it were purchased with your own money.

Have excellent manners. Language, behavior, and clothing should be appropriate for the classroom. This class will have many visitors and speakers from the businesses and community organization. They are giving of their valuable time to share information with you because they feel it could be important to your career choices. Respect them by giving them your attention. Make them feel welcome and glad that they were here.

Be on time!

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF LSW TAKE CHARGE STUDENTS

Your student is enrolled in Take Charge. This course is a Lincoln Public Schools graduation requirement. The following information is provided so that you may help ensure your student’s success in this course.

Length of Course

Take Charge is a semester course. This time can pass rather quickly and it is imperative that your student stay on top of their assignments and projects as getting behind can be very detrimental to their success.

Assignments and Grading

JOB SHADOW~

While many of our projects are completed during class time, you will want to discuss the shadowing project with your student (they will be bringing this information home later next week). The shadowing project requires an investment of time outside of class and requires adequate advance planning so that he/she may meet project deadlines. Students may need to be absent from school to complete a portion of this project; if so, you will need to call the attendance office and excuse them. Job Shadow needs to be completed by ______.

MOCK INTERVIEW~

Other major projects this nine-week session will include completion of a resume with references, college research, career research, job shadowing presentation, and a practice job interview. Businesses will be conducting practice interviews on ______. Your student will be encouraged to dress appropriately for this activity. We discourage jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts; and encourage students to think about the “first impression” factor as they prepare for this valuable experience. We will spend time discussing how to prepare for this interview.

Please feel free to contact me at any time regarding questions or concerns. I look forward to working with your student and guiding them in a career path direction. Email is the most efficient way to contact me.

BJ James Website

Website grade

Synergy is a web-based communication tool that allows parents/guardians and students secure access to grades, assignments, and attendance information. Assignments and student performance can be viewed as soon as I make entries into the electronic gradebook.
Synergy is not meant to replace direct communication between students/parents/teachers or other school staff members. If you have questions, please discuss the information with your student first. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss class progress directly with their teachers. If further clarification is needed, parents should contact me directly through email.

*Returning the bottom portion of this sheet will earn your student 10 points toward their grade. Please keep the top portion for future reference.

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Student ______Block ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______

Phone Number/email ______