Personal accountability is very important. It is one of the founding ideals of Country Gardens. "Integrity"
There is something greater than this though. It is recognizing that our actions reflect on more than just ourselves.
- They reflect upon our families (They are the ones who raised us)
- They reflect upon our friends (They want to learn, and succeed themselves)
- They reflect on our school (We all are Country Gardens, and are seen as such)
Being able to have personal accountability is a very important step in showing maturity. It is a skill that will be important later in life.
You can't go back in time and undo things. So do it right the first time, or be willing to accept responsibility for that mistake.
As a human being, I have made plenty of mistakes...and I will make plenty more before it is all done. But first and foremost, I recognize that mistakes I make are my own. The foolish things I have done, are my own responsibility.
Responsibility. Take it... don't try to ignore it.
"I didn't mean to!" does not change things. Instead, do the right thing, or accept what you did and move forward. It shows a greater inner strength than feigning ignorance ever did.
Integrity.... it is more than a word. It is a way of life.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In English, we have designated guidelines that are expected in writing assignments. For the upper grades, this expectation has been somewhat lax. For this reason, and to follow CGCS standards, the syllabus is being updated with writing assignment length expectations and guidelines provided in the files section of each grade.
As your English teacher I feel that I would be ignoring my duties without holding you to a standard that I know you are capable of. It would be both insulting to your abilities, and to your future. So, please download the updated syllabus, which I will keep a copy of in my class as well for reference.
Mr. Humphreys
Expectations: Reading 30 minutes each day.
Completing Reading Journals or Guides by the noted due dates.
Respecting one another, as I would respect you.
Greetings and Salutations CGCS Students and Parents;
Many changes are coming at Country Gardens, and the opportunities are Legion. Not just in the school grounds, but in the classes I am teaching as well.
The coming school year in English will see a more developed structure then the previous year, with books paired together based upon a specific theme. In the second year of my instruction at this educational environment, I look forward to providing greater opportunities for hands on learning. Any chance we can take in which what we read comes to life, or brings greater understanding for each of us is one which must be taken advantage of.
One of the better things, is that I have gotten to know many of my students, and in spite of the craziness that we all get involved with sometimes, we still make exceptional progress as a community.
Look forward and be prepared to participate in a number of things this coming year.
Language Arts/English/Literature
Dramatic Acting
Debate
Public (Classroom) Presentations
Craft and Art development (This is especially true for books like "Walden", "The Inferno" and "The Hobbit"
Group Activities (Build your own Dictatorship
Journalism
This past year, we had a significant challenge of completing an edition of the newspaper. With this in mind, those who enter the Journalism class will begin the first several weeks learning about the following things;
Journalistic Writing
History of Journalism
Editing
Objectivity
Duties in the school newspaper will be given out and we will be expected to have a deadline for our first paper by the week before our first break in October. After that, we will be completing a paper each month. The school newspaper "The Peacocks Feather", is not just for the High School. The Newspaper is meant to represent the entire school, and tell both students and parents about things that are happening in school and in the future.
I look forward to seeing each of you in August, and plan to work with you all to make this a great year.
Mr Humphreys