English 9A/B - Mr. Smith
e-mail: msmith@hartdistrict.org
website - http://staff.hartdistrict.org/msmith/
661.222.1220 ext. 409

West Ranch High School Mission Statement
“West Ranch High School is committed to challenging and motivating each student to achieve excellence
and become a responsible and valuable member of society.  Through relationships, rigor, and relevance,
West Ranch High School promotes integrity, distinction, and vision.”

Dear Students and Parents:
In supporting the West Ranch mission statement as well as the school’s Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR’s), English 9 A/B will provide a rigorous and challenging opportunity for students to not only continue to develop their literacy skills through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critically thinking but also for students to see themselves as part of the larger world community, a culturally diverse and historically profound community.  Students will be encouraged to develop a vision of their future so that while they may be exposed to what British poet Matthew Arnold discussed as “the best that has ever been thought or said,” more importantly they will learn that they have the ability, intelligence, and critical understanding to contribute and effect a change in their own lives and in the world in general. 
M. Smith

Class Policies & Procedures

Class Materials  
West Ranch High School promotes responsibility and expects its graduates to…
…take ownership of their own learning and advancement
…demonstrate a commitment to civic and environmental activism
…honor and take pride in themselves, their campus, their community, their nation
West Ranch High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

• Prentice Hall: Literature (Gold Level) – You will need to bring this textbook each day to class unless noted on the class schedule ahead of time.  Books MUST BE covered.  (Note: $80.00 replacement cost)

• Learning Journal – This journal needs to be with you IN CLASS everyday.   

• Notebook / Binder – You need to have a place to keep notes, handouts, and daily assignments.  You will want to keep any informational handouts and notes all year (and perhaps beyond).  You are expected to keep copies of your assignments until the end of the semester.  Essays should be kept in your portfolio.

• Novels – At various times, we will read a novel that will be checked out to you from our library.  You will be responsible to bring it with you for the duration of study.  (Note: $20.00 replacement cost)

• Misc. Supplies – Having access to post-its, small index cards, loose-sheet paper, a stapler (and staples), and scotch tape as home supplies are ideal to aid in the preparation and completion of class assignments.

Classroom Behavior Expectations and Academic Integrity

West Ranch High School emphasizes integrity and expects its graduates to…
…conduct themselves honorably in the classroom, in the athletic arena, and in the community
…lead others through ethical example
…examine their choices and thereby improve their own character
West Ranch High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

Classroom Etiquette
Please follow these basic policies for the good of the classroom community and the learning process:

• Remain seated and wait for dismissal by the teacher.
• No food or drink (except water) allowed in the classroom.
• Please remove hats when inside as a sign of respect.
• Refrain from note writing, passing of notes, completing other homework assignments, listening to i-pods, or texting messages unless classwork is completed and the instructor gives approval.
• Follow teacher requests and instructions.
• Vulgarity, Profanity, Defiance, and Aggressive acts as determined by the teacher are immediate cause for discipline step placement or class suspension.

Attendance & Make-up Work
Attendance is important and is directly related to your success.  To be successful, students need to be in class, on time, and ready to learn.  The school tardy policy and district attendance policy will be enforced in this class.  Students have two (2) days to make-up an assignment due to an excused absence. Tests must be made up immediately upon return.

Discipline
If a student is unable to follow the etiquette rules stated above, the following steps and procedures will be taken:

• Verbal reminder and/or Detention.
• Student/teacher conference.
• Parent contact.
• Parent/teacher/counselor conference and two-day suspension from class.
• Conference with Assistant Principal, two-day suspension, and student contract

Keep in mind that these are school and district guidelines and are in place to foster a healthy and positive learning environment.

Academic Integrity Policy
West Ranch High School will consistently enforce the William S. Hart Union High School District Board Policy on Academic Integrity which is based on Educational Code 44806.

The following actions will be deemed violations of Academic Integrity and/or Board Policy:

• When a student takes credit for work that is not their own or allows someone else to copy their work, this will be deemed a violation of our Academic Integrity Standards.

• If a student looks at another student’s paper or sends or receives test data during or before a quiz or test or uses materials on a test or quiz that has not been approved, this is a breach of Board Policy. 

• If a student plagiarizes someone’s work, whether it is another student’s or reference material, this will be a violation of Board Policy.

The following consequences will be enacted if a violation occurs:

• The parents of the student who has been academically dishonest will be notified of the event and a report will be filed in the student’s permanent record 

• The student will receive an automatic zero (failing grade) on the assignment or test; no make-up work will be offered to compensate for the zero.

• The student will be dropped from the National Honors Society (NHS) if the student is a member of that organization.

• The student will be dropped from the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) if the student is a member of that organization.

The following consequences may be enacted if a violation occurs:

• The student may be removed from the class for one day at the teacher’s discretion, according to the California Educational Code.

• The student may serve a four hour Saturday School.

• The student may face suspension from extra-curricular activities, including sports programs.

Grading

West Ranch High School inspires its students to excel in all areas of development and expects its graduates to…
…pursue worthy academic goals
…grow as a scholar, athlete, artist, and person
…strive for improvement in all areas of development regardless of current achievement

General Scoring
All work in class will be evaluated and reported using the following general guidelines:

                                100% - 90%           A     Advanced
89% - 80%             B     Proficient
79% - 70%             C     Basic
69% - 60%             F     Below Basic
59% - Below          F     Far Below Basic

A further addendum with specifics will be distributed separately.  However, please note the following procedures. 

Late Work
No credit is given for late daily assignments, though submit work so that you will be eligible for extra credit.  Essays will lose 10% per day (after 5 days, the essay will not be accepted).  Presentations will lose 25% (you must present the following day).

Classroom Expectations

West Ranch High School honors the distinctions that make each person unique and expects its graduates to…
…value diversity of all types
…strive to make themselves stand out positively in academic and cocurricular endeavors
…apply their unique strengths to problems to reach solutions
West Ranch High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

Class Culture - Developing a class culture that is based on respect for each other is an important element to support powerful learning; therefore, the classroom environment will be a place for students to be themselves.  At West Ranch High School our goal is to create a diversity-sensitive environment for equitable learning results for all students. 

Religious and Philosophical Issues – Religion and philosophy are essential elements to any higher-order thinking college-bound course, particularly one as rich, diverse, and established as a course in world literature.  Much of the material we study this year has sparked intellectual thought, controversy, reaction, revolution, persecution, change, and social reform.  The material will be presented in the spirit in which it was intended, without censorship, the manipulation of facts, prejudice, bias, or the “dumbing down” of material.  Please confide in me at an appropriate time if you feel discomfort with a topic.  

Teacher, Student, and Parent Roles -

As your teacher, here is what you can expect from me to help you succeed in this course:

• I will be prepared to teach each day.
• The content standards, daily objectives, and agenda will be written on the whiteboard daily.
• I will teach the district-approved curriculum.
• I will prepare interesting and engaging lessons.
• I will be available during tutorial or at other times if you need extra help.

Here is what you, as a student, can do to be successful in the class:

• Come to class on time, prepared to learn each day.
• Complete your homework on time.
• Identify a study buddy that you can contact if you are absent from class to get assignments or extra help.
• Use the student planner/calendar that was given to you at summer check-in to organize your learning and keep track of your assignments.
• Come to tutorial if you need help.
• Take responsibility for your learning.

As parents, you can help your son/daughter by:

• Taking an interest in his/her studies.
• Talking with him/her each night about what he/she learned in school and ask to see his/her notebooks.
• Helping him/her develop good time management strategies.
• Working with him/her to set realistic goals for success.
• Monitoring his/her class performance for difficulties he/she may be having.  Please intervene immediately – contact the teacher and encourage your child to attend tutorial (8:00 a.m. – 8:25 a.m. each morning) or with the teacher at another time.
• Attending Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings and other school events.

Closing

West Ranch High School encourages students to find value in themselves and in others and expects its graduates to…
…go beyond the classroom and apply their education to their lives
…make important contributions to the classroom, cocurricular arena, and community
…realize that new experiences and relationships can enrich their lives
West Ranch High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

West Ranch High School instills students with a vision and expects its graduates to…
…take initiative in pursuing noble post-secondary goals
…find ways to make their high school experience meaningful
…see the connections between different academic disciplines
West Ranch High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

I look forward to working with you this semester. I am dedicated to helping you succeed. If you find that you need extra help, please come to my classroom for tutorial (8:00 – 8:25 a.m.) any day.  I can also meet with you at other times during the day if let me know.                                                                                            Mr. Smith     ☺

West Ranch High School
M. Smith/English 9 - Course Orientation Signature Page
(Please note that all information you provide will be kept confidential.)

Student Name:                                                                                                                                                                       

Parent/Guardian:                                                                                                                                                                   

Home phone:                                                                                                                                                                         

Parent/Guardian name and cell phone:                                                                                                                                  

Parent/Guardian name and cell phone:                                                                                                                                  

Student cell phone:                                                                                                                                                                

Parent/Guardian name and e-mail:                                                                                                                                         

Parent/Guardian name and e-mail:                                                                                                                                         

Student e-mail:                                                                                                                                                                      

From the parent/guardian to the teacher:
Here is some important information that I would like you to know about my child:

From the student to the teacher:
Here is some important information that I would like for you to know about me:

My signature below indicates that I have read and understand the requirements for this class as outlined in this course orientation.

Student signature:                                                                                                                    date:                                      

Parent/Guardian signature:                                                                                                       date:                                      

Parent/Guardian signature:                                                                                                       date:                                     
 

_____Please initial here if you give your student permission to attend after school or weekend academic intervention sessions to
receive the help they need to be successful in this class.