1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS “the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. Jennifer Orpitelli Gurnea Bush High School 2016-2017 @Bush We Will… 1.Follow any & all adult directives 2.Use language that is appropriate for an educational institution 3.Maintain self-control & be held accountable for our actions 4.Act with class & Character in all situations. \ Be a B.O.S.S. Broncos Owning Student Success “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” --Robert Frost State Adopted Text:  Elements of Literature: Grade 9, Holt McDougal  Write Source: Grade 9 Grammar Textbook jennifer.gurnea@fortbendisd.com(281) 634-4720 edmodo.com Course Description: Students enrolled in English I continue to increase and refine their reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and representing communication skills. Students write in a variety of forms and edit their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English, producing final, error-free drafts. Students read extensively in multiple genres from world literature and learn literary forms and terms associated with selections being read. An emphasis is placed on organizing logical arguments with clearly expressed related definitions, theses, and evidence. Students write to persuade, report, and describe. BHS Late Policy: 10% off each day for up to 3 days. On the 4 th day, you will receive credit as an F (50%)--this is MUCH better than a 0.  this applies mostly to written assignments and will be clearly announced Homework: most homework assignments will be given a stamp to show completion at the beginning of the period it is due. Late homework will receive 75% credit when the Unit Notes are graded Course Description What happens if I turn in an assignment late? Where do I go to find agendas and assignments? 1. Each class’s “Daily Record” (objective, agenda, homework) will be posted on the board when students arrive each day. The expectation is that each student will write this down on a “Daily Record” page of notes for a daily grade once a month. 2. Edmodo.com: students will be given a code specific to each class period to sign in and get homework reminders, class handouts, and post questions to the teacher (no later than 9 PM please) Where should I turn in my assignments? Never hand the teacher your work unless instructed to do so. Orange Tray: All work should be turned in to the orange tray on the BACK table. Never hand the teacher your work unless instructed to do so. *Black Tray: this is ONLY for absent work. Work placed in the wrong tray may be subject to a grade reduction. Turn-in stations are labeled at the back of the room.

2. Grades are available on Skyward for parents and students to log into. The grades will be updated no later than Friday afternoon for a given week’s assignments. Late work will only be graded and input on Friday. A= 100% - 90% B= 89%-80% C= 79%-75% D= 74%-70% F = 69%-0 Grade Scale Grade Breakdown Summative Assessments = 50% (tests, process writing, research projects, novel assessments) Formative Assessments = 50% (classwork, homework, quizzes, participation) Lined paper Pens/ pencils/ highlighters 2 Composition Books 1 pack (100) 3x5” notecards Supplies How will I check my grade? What if I’m absent? Copy the Daily Record and “Bell Ringer” From another student for the day(s) missed Check the Absent Work Pockets (located on the back board) to get any handouts Turn in late work to the labeled Black Tray > 1 day absent = 1 extra day to turn in work UNLESS it was announced before your absence began. * “absent” = physically not present or more than 20 minutes late to a given period. What if I bomb a test? Retests are available for any student who fails a test. You will have 3 days to make an appointment with Mrs. Gurnea to review, ask questions, and study and then retest after school (unless special arrangements are made). The highest grade on a retest is 75%. jennifer.gurnea@fortbendisd.com(281) 634-6060 edmodo.com Mrs. Jennifer Orpitelli Gurnea George Bush High School 2016-2017 1. Warning (verbal or nonverbal) 2. Conference with Student 3. Parent Contact 4. “Quality Time with Mrs. Gurnea” > @ lunch or after school 5. Referral to Administration Consequences for not following class procedures: Tutorial Times Tuesday: 2:40-3:10 (or by appointment) Tues./Wed: @ lunch Thursday: 2:40-3:30, only reteach + retest over announced topics. Edmodo In an effort to stay better connected to students outside the classroom, ELA 1 will have Edmodo pages. Each class period will be given a code to have access to electronic copies of the day’s handouts, ask questions of other students or Mrs. Gurnea (until 9 PM), and have extra credit opportunities. Parents may email Mrs. Gurnea for their student’s class code. Cheating Policy Cheating is unacceptable. Cheating includes copying answers on ANY assignment or giving answers on an assignment. Unless it is group work, everyone must do his/her own work. If a student is caught with another student’s paper, both students will receive a zero with no opportunity for retest. If I have reason to believe you are cheating off another student’s work, I will conference with you on it and discipline accordingly. NO NAME? No grade will be given for work turned in without a name. The student may resubmit the assignment with a late penalty.

3. PLEASE READ THE COURSE INFORMATION, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS SHEET TO MRS. GURNEA. Students: Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. Gurnea’s class, will keep it at the front of your binder’s English section, and will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check Skyward at least twice per week at school or at home. _______________________________ _____________________________________________ Student printed name Student signature Parents/Guardians: Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Mrs. Gurnea’s class and that you will help your student be accountable for the information. If you have questions about the course or your student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; email is the best way to reach me quickly. I check it first thing every morning and will often check in throughout the day. See the bottom of this sheet for my email address. _______________________________ _____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature _______________________________ ______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian e-mail Parent/Guardian daytime phone number should the teacher need call (please print) Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you: e-mail phone jennifer.gurnea@fortbendisd.com (281) 634-6060 Edmodo.com Mrs. Jennifer Orpitelli Gurnea George Bush High School 2016-2017 Check all the statements that apply to how you would like to communicate with Mrs. Gurnea about your student’s progress. I will, of course, call for major concerns or accomplishments, but with approximately 150 students, I like to know how you’d prefer to communicate: _____I/We have internet access at home, so we will check Skyward to check on my/our student’s progress. I/We will contact Mrs. Gurnea about any concerns I/we have. _____I/We plan to email Mrs. Gurnea weekly or monthly for an update. _____I/We do not have internet access at home or would otherwise prefer to have regular contact with Mrs. Gurnea through phone calls. _____Other: ______________________________________________________________________________