Hi parents and students!  I just want to let you know that I'm having problems saving information to my SchoolNotes calendar.  I have all the dates for our new vocabulary, vocabulary reviews, vocabulary tests, new grammar, grammar reviews, and grammar tests planned up through the beginning of December.  If you would like me to e-mail you a list of dates, please let me know!  I'm sorry for the inconvenience; this page is driving me crazy!

Sincerely, Ms. Popick

Syllabus for 2009-2010

English with Ms. Popick

epopick@ellingtonschools.net

(860) 896-2352 ext. 434

Please have this syllabus signed by both you and your parent/guardian by Friday,September 4^th. This is the day after our Open House (7-9pm).

Use the SchoolNotes calendar for due dates on major projects and tests.  Due dates are listed by grade and level: 

10-1= Sophomores, Level 1, Block G

10-2= Sophomores, Level 2, Blocks B & F

12-2= Seniors, Level 2, Blocks C & D

Information for ALL classes:

Dear Students,

In order for you to be successful this year, I want you to make consistent progress.  Don't be satisfied with the easiest way out; the bare minimum is unacceptable. Continue to improve on the skills that you have learned on a daily basis, and always remember that I am here to help you and will gladly meet with you after school to help you reach your potential. 

Credit in this class comes in theform of class participation, homework, essays, tests, quizzes, discussioncontributions, attentiveness and personal effort.  Also, I appreciate creativity!

Sincerely,

Ms. Popick

Ellington High School Mission Statement

Ellington High School prepares students to become knowledgeable, respectful citizens who value learning, integrity, personal wellbeing, equity, and diversity.

Ellington High School Objectives

A. Academic

          Listen and view with understanding.

          Read and write effectively.

          Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.

         Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies.

B. Civic

          Meet the responsibilities of citizenship.

         Demonstrate leadership and service to the community.

C. Social

         Practice moral and ethical conduct.

          Affirm diversity and practice respect.

         Demonstrate skills and competencies for personal well         being and growth.

Academic Expectations for Daily Class Achievement in English

Our primary focus in the English department is to teach students to read and write effectively.  We will also focus on teaching students to develop the following skills:

Listen and view withunderstanding

Reason effectively,think critically and solve problems

Utilize resourcesincluding (but not limited to) media, computers, and other technology

Students are expected to deliver at least two school-wide rubrics (specific to this English class) to their assigned advisors.  There are two separate rubrics used in English class based on the skills we will teach the students:

The Ellington High School student will read effectively.

      Components of this rubric include the following measurements of success in each of the following categories:

Understanding

Interpretation / Inference

Connection

Critical Stance

The Ellington High School student willwrite effectively.

            Components of this rubric include the following measurements of success in each of the following categories:

Thesis Statement

Supporting Evidence

Analysis

Grammar & Mechanics

Clarity & Organization

Style

Materials you need to bring EACH DAY:

• Notebook
• Two-pocket folder for handouts, worksheets, and rubrics
• Blue/black pen AND pencil
• Book(s) we are currently reading
• Effective system for recording long term and short term assignments

Classroom procedures and rules:

1. All of your work must have a proper heading (MLA format).  All work without a proper heading will be marked down one full letter grade. 

Headings look like this (aligned left):

Your Name

Ms. Popick

English grade-level-block

8 September 2009

Assignment Title

OR copy of the journal prompt/question

2. Students must be seated when the bell rings to avoid being marked tardy.  Please see the school handbook for additional information on tardiness and loss of class credit.

3. IF (and chances of this are slim) I write a pass for you to go to your locker to get materials you did not bring to class, you will be marked tardy.

4. Do not do ANYTHING that disrupts the class instruction or class activities.  Do not get out of your seat.  Do not write on boards.  Do not use profane language.  Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in class.  Do not go through classroom items (including my desk) without permission.  Do not make comments that are irrelevant.

5.  Start class each day by reading the essential question, agenda, objectives, and homework.  Copy homework assignments into your agenda. Then, start the daily assignment (most likely this will be a new poem or piece of creative writing to analyze and then discuss).

6. Respect the classroom, your teacher, classmates, and yourselves.

7. No cell phones.  I will confiscate your phone and turn it into the main office. 

8. No food or drink in the classroom with the exception of clear, bottled water.

Disruptive behavior or failure to follow any of the class rules will result in the loss of daily participation points and possible removal from class and/or teacher detention.

Work policy and grades:

1. Homework is NOT accepted late.  Students will not be allowed to retrieve homework left in a locker.  Work that is not with the student at the start of class is considered late. Our school policy is to allow two days to make up regular homework (not including projects or essays) and class work.  It is the student's responsibility to see me after school (NOT during class time) to discuss missed lessons and assignments.

2. Larger projects will be accepted late, but for a full letter grade reduction each day that the assignment is not turned in. For example, if your paper was worth a C+, the grade will become a D+ if it is one day late. 

3. Your grade will be based on a total point system.  You will be able to determine your grade based on the total number of points you have earned out of the total number of available points. 

4. Papers must be typed in size12 font, Times New Roman or Arial, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.  You must have a proper heading AND creative title for all work.  You must properly cite all information using MLA format.  Under special circumstances (see me), hand-printed essays on composition paper will be accepted in blue or black ink.  Final drafts will not be accepted in pencil or brightly colored ink.  All essays are due at the beginning of class.

5. If your final grade on a written piece is disastrous, it is your responsibility to make an appointment with me to discuss a plan to better your grades in the future or, by teacher discretion, you may have the opportunity to revise the piece.  The revised grade will be averaged together with the original paper grade.

6. If you are absent the day a major assignment is due, you are required to make arrangements for your assignment to arrive (with a friend, by e-mail, etc.).  E-mails must be sent as BOTH an attachment and as a direct copy-paste into your e-mail. This is to make absolute sure that the assignment arrives on time due to the fact that attachments are sometimes unable to be opened.  Your assignment must arrive at the start of your class time; if it arrives later than the beginning of class, it will be marked late.  If you are unable to meet a deadline due to a personal home issue, I will need a phone call from your parent or guardian to verify the circumstances.

7. You have two days to make up regular homework and class work after an absence.  After the two days have passed, those grades will be entered as zeroes.

8. You have one week to make up missed quizzes and tests.  After one week has passed, those grades will be  entered as  zeroes.

9. You must come prepared to class with all materials.  If you are missing any materials, you will lose class participation points.  You will need to make up the work at a later date. 

Specific ClassInformation

Good luck this year!

Keep this syllabus in your folder as a handy reference. Return only the bottom portion.

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This form indicates that you have read and understand Ms. Popick’s syllabus for the2009-2010 school year.

Student Name (Printed): ________________________

Student Signature: _____________________________   

Date: ___________

Parent/Guardian Name (Printed): _________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________  

Date: ___________

Parent/Guardian Phone: ___________________________

Parent/Guardian E-mail: ___________________________