MIDDLESEX COUNTY VO-TECH HIGH SCHOOLS

ENGLISH 10 & 11 – MISS JAMIE WASCO

INTRODUCTION:  Welcome to English class!  I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with you!  Here are some things that you can expect from me as your teacher for this year.

OBJECTIVES:  Upon the successful completion of this course, you will:

1.      Be able to read and discuss engaging and important works of American and World Literature.

2.      Be able to identify and utilize proper grammar and mechanics.

3.      Be able to think critically about our society and how we interact with others.

4.      Be able to form and defend your own opinions about moral and ethical issues.

COURSE OUTLINE:  A course outline for each grade level will be distributed and discussed during the first week of class.  This will be detailed and separated by marking period. 

RESOURCES:  Our textbook will be the Prentice Hall Literature anthology.  In addition, we will also be working with many short stories, plays, articles, and novels.  These will be distributed as needed.  If you need information about citations, writing papers/essays or supplemental materials, please visit my website.  I have compiled a list of relevant resources to writing and literature there and I will update the site as often as I can.

GRADING BREAKDOWN:

Class Participation/Classwork . . . . . . . . . .25%

Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25%

Tests/Written Essays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%

Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS:

·         Respect!  I ask that you respect your fellow classmates.  Respect me and the other staff at your school.  Most importantly, respect yourself!  Raise your hand if you would like to speak.  Listen when others are speaking.  Please do not make fun of anyone’s opinions, thoughts, or questions.  Please do not use profanity or inappropriate language.  If you are caught drawing on desks, in books, or on walls, we will schedule an after school classroom cleaning duty.

·         Backpacks: Backpacks are not allowed in B-111 for any reason.  Bringing a backpack to class will result in a zero for the day.

·         Attendance:  Attendance should be consistent and active.  Being active in class implies that you are awake and alert, listening, asking questions, and taking advantage of your forty-two minute period to learn.  In-class assignments missed because of an unexcused absence will not be able to be made up.  You may not miss English to go to shop unless you discuss this with me and your shop teacher prior to the class period in question.  Work missed because of cutting class will not be able to be made up.

·         Communication (wascoj@mail.mcmsnj.net): Speak to me if you have issues that conflict with your academic responsibilities!  I can assure you with confidence that most issues can be easily resolved.  I can be incredibly accommodating and understanding if you present an issue in advance of an assignment being due.  Coming to class unprepared is not acceptable.

·         Punctuality:  Please arrive on time.  Students who are not in seats and beginning the Do Now when the bell rings will be marked as tardy.  If you are late (for any excused or unexcused reason), enter quietly and begin working.  It will be your responsibility to talk to me or a classmate regarding any work that is missed because of an excused late.  Work missed because of an unexcused late or blatant cutting will not be able to be made up.  Five points will be deducted from your class participation grade for each time you are late.  Think about this: If you come to class and participate every single day but are every Tuesday for one marking period, you will have a 50 as a class participation grade!  If you are late to homeroom, you will be marked late and (as per school policy) appropriate administrative disciplinary action will result! 

·         Requests for the Lavatory:  Please reserve requests to go to the bathroom during active class time for emergencies only.  Only one student may leave the room at a time.  Please grab the soap bathroom pass and sign out on the dry-erase board near the door.  Abuse of bathroom policies (ie: walking in the hallway for fifteen minutes) will result in the loss of privileges.  Note that in English class, there are appropriate and inappropriate times to ask to use the bathroom.  Appropriate times are instances such as independent work, the very beginning of class, the last five minutes of class, etc.  Inappropriate times include class discussions, collaborative learning times, PowerPoint presentations, work revision times, etc.

·         Dismissal Procedures:  Please remain seated until the bell rings and refrain from packing up your books and notebooks early. 

·         Remind 101:  I frequently use Remind 101 to send out homework, notifications, and extra credit opportunities.  Please register for Remind 101 if you have a cell phone by following the directions on my website.

·         Preparation:  Bring all materials (binder, pen/pencil, book, notebook) to class every single day, unless otherwise advised.  Homework that is completed but in your locker will have to be turned in at the end of the day and will be marked late.  Please ask me at the beginning of class if you are unprepared and I will do my best to give you materials for the class, but please do not abuse this courtesy.  Nothing is more frustrating than finding out thirty minutes into the period that you have not had a pen the entire class!

·         All Electronic Devices:  Cell phones, iPods, iPads, laptops, or other electronic devices will not be permitted in class.  Please do not bring these items to class, as you will be tempted to use them!  I will confiscate your cell phone if you are using it during a class period, and it will adversely affect your class participation grade.  Under no circumstances will I give cell phones back at the end of the period if confiscated.  They will be turned into administration and the principals will determine how best to proceed.  Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information regarding electronic devices.  This is not my policy; this is district policy.

·         Homework:  Homework assignments should be brought with you to class.  Homework that is completed but in your locker will have to be turned in after class, as you will not be permitted to go to your locker during class, and it will be marked late.  Late homework can be turned in for partial credit. 

o   Compulsory Assignments:  Compulsory assignments are larger assignments, essays, or projects that must be completed in order to receive a grade for the marking period.  I will inform you when an assignment is considered compulsory.  Failure to complete a compulsory assignment will result in an “Incomplete” for the marking period, and as per district policy, an “Incomplete” will turn into a “Failure” if not rectified.

o   Make-Up Work:  Make-up work is entirely your responsibility.  Please come speak to me regarding make-up work for an excused absence.  An excused absence is an absence accompanied by a note of some kind immediately upon returning to class.  A personal choice to spend your English period in shop, the nurse, the main office, or guidance without speaking to me beforehand is an unexcused absence and no make-up work will be given.  When you are absent, a zero will automatically be given for an assignment.  After you see me and complete the work, the zero can be easily changed.

·         Requests to Leave Class:  Nothing is more sacred to me than class time.  You need to be in class or no learning can occur. 

o   Nurse: With the exception of dire emergencies, you need to ask permission and obtain a pass to visit the nurse.  The nurse is not a doctor, nor a psychologist.  Unless something serious happens to you, nurse visits should not take more than 5-10 minutes.  It is not acceptable to take naps in the nurse’s office during your English class.

o   Administration: Your principals are busy people.  Please do not interrupt their day without appointments.  You may not decide to visit the principal on an impromptu trip during your English class.

o   Guidance: Guidance counselors are also busy people.  You may not decide to visit the guidance counselor on an impromptu trip during your English class.  You need to make an appointment and this should not be during English.

·         Note Taking:  I have no preference whether you choose to use a binder, notebook, or accordion file, but you absolutely must bring something to class each day.  You are responsible for maintaining your own notes.  You will need a section for the Do Now activity, for notes, and for homework.  If you choose to keep a spiral-bound notebook, I recommend a folder because there will be many handouts distributed in class.  You are responsible for maintaining your own articles, worksheet, texts, etc. for English class!  I will not hand out multiple copies!  Please see me if purchasing a folder or binder is an issue and we will solve the problem.

·         End-of-Day Sports: Leaving English to attend a sports game is a privilege, not a right.  If you are failing my class, you will not be allowed to leave.  Homework due that day must be turned in prior to leaving or it will not be accepted.  You must come see me in person each day for that day’s assignment prior to leaving.  Late work is absolutely unacceptable in this scenario.

·         Substitutes: Sub work is mandatory and will sometimes count for more than one grade.  All sub work must be turned in to the substitute at the end of the period or it will not be accepted.  A negative note from a sub concerning you individually will result as a zero for the day and the assignment given.  Assuming that you will just turn the work in the following day when you see me is not acceptable.

·         Grades & Genesis:  You are able to access your current grades online.  I will do my absolute best to ensure that this information is extremely accurate and up-to-date.  Do not ask me to tell you what your current grade is; look up your grade online and see me if you have questions or concerns.  I am always willing to discuss grades!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email:  wascoj@mail.mcmsnj.net

School Extension:  (732) 376-6300 x 6111