1. Doral Academy Preparatory School
9th Grade Language Arts
Open House
Mary Morcos Room 119A

2. Doral Academy Preparatory School
8th Grade Language Arts
Open House
Mary Morcos Room 119A

3. About Me: I am from New Jersey Moved here 12 years ago
BA in English Literature and Post secondary Education
Masters in Special Education
I have been teaching for 19 years
Previous college professor

4. Course Description & Grading Policy
This course has been structured to teach students the fundamentals in literary work and formal writing (APA/SAT). In addition, vocabulary and grammar will be covered throughout the year. Topics of discussion will include:
Pursuit of Goals
Principles of a Just Society
Civil Rights
Getting Along – Challenges of Human Interactions
Students grades will be based as follows:
A: , B: 80-89, C: 70-79, D: 60-69, F: 59 or below
Tests 40% (Novels/Unit Tests)
Homework/Classwork 10% (Daily Work)
Quizzes 20% (Reading Plus, Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.)
Projects/Essays 30%

5. Student Expectations
BE PROMPT – Be on time to class, seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
BE ORDERLY – Enter and leave the room in an orderly manner. Sit in your assigned seats correctly. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized to speak or leave your seat. Do not speak while someone else is speaking. Do not throw any objects. No sleeping in class.
BE PREPARED – Bring materials/books to class daily. Homework will be out and ready to be turned in by the time the bell rings. Failure to turn in homework assignments will reflect on your grade, and NO late work will be accepted.
BE NEAT – Put trash in receptacle as you leave. Keep work area clean. Do not write on the desks. Keep work and binder neat and organized.
BE RESPECTFUL – Show the same respect to others and their property that you would expect. Do not use foul language. All adults are to be shown the upmost respect.
FOLLOW SCHOOL RULES – My classroom follows all school wide rules. I WILL confiscate any and all electronic devices that are visible/used in my class. Parents will have to come in the next business day to pick up the device from the main office. No food/gum in class. Be in dress code at ALL TIMES.

6. Bell & Lunch Schedule
Period Start Time End Time Length 2nd Period 8:30 AM 10:15 AM 105 min 3rd Period(HR) 8:30 AM 10:15 AM 105 min 4th Period 10:22 AM 12:46 PM 144 min C Lunch 11:38 AM 12:13 PM 30 min (A-day) 5th Period 10:22 AM 12:46 PM 144 min C Lunch 11:38 AM 12:13 PM 30 min (B-day) 6th Period 12:46 PM 2:30 PM 104 min 7th Period 12:46 PM 2:30 PM 104 min 8th Period 2:37 PM 3:30 PM 53 min

7. Reading Plus / StudySync
Website:
Click "Student Login" to log in
Student username: mdcps(no spaces and the student ID # - example: mdcps )
Student password: Student's ID # (example: )
Site code: doral
Reading Plus will be assigned weekly and must be completed BY SUNDAY at midnight.
Reports will be printed Monday morning and will count as a weekly QUIZ grade. Below you will see the details for grading:
A grade of an A is given for weekly assignments completed with an 80% comprehension score or higher. 
A grade of an F is given for weekly assignments completed but with a comprehension score below 80%.
A grade of a Z (zero) is given for no completed weekly assignments.
It is either an "A", an "F", or a "Z" grade. Nothing else. No exceptions. 

8. Reading Plus / StudySync
STUDYSYNC StudySync is our new course textbook. It is an electronic data base of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and skills. StudySync is used in class everyday and homework assignments are assigned from here as well. 1. Go to 2. Select "Create a new account" button. 3. Enter the Redemption Code shown above and click Register. 4. Enter your First Name and Last Initial then click Finish. 5. Write down your Username and Password.

9. CLASS CODES: Period 1: Period2: mj06udxx Period 3: bgmmeqfp
Period 4:plaaun1b
Period 5: cr22vidi
Period 6:io6x60fq
Period 7:hozbkaph
Period 8:Ao7Sb4G9

10. Class Redemption code
Redemption Code: 8O4B-OSLY-W1GO

11. Homework & Attendance HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned EVERYDAY. All homework will be posted online on our classroom website, as well as announced during class. There are times where additional tasks may be assigned verbally in class but not posted online. I also use Reminder 101 to send reminders.
Homework is due the next class day unless otherwise stated on the class website. Failure to do so will result in the following:
1. “Pink Slip” - a zero for that assignment (if it becomes consistent, steps 2 and 3 will follow)
2. Parent contact
3. Parent conference
ATTENDANCE
Daily class attendance is important for student success. If the student is absent at any time it is his/her responsibility to request the classwork and homework that was missed and will receive 2 days to complete and return the work ONLY IF the absence is EXCUSED.
If the student is absent on a day homework is due he/she are responsible for turning it in upon your return to school.

12. ASSIGNMENTS OVERALL
If the assignment has been submitted in a timely fashion- will receive grade
IF student has NO NAME , NO PERIOD
IT GOES IN THE GARBAGE and will receive a Z grade
If I have not graded it yet it will have a Z grade until graded and inputted.

13. Availability I am here at 7:00 AM MOST DAYS
I am here normally EVERYDAY till 4:30 PM
Latest is 5:00 PM
I will stay later if any of my students make an appointment with me.
There are NO EXCUSES and NO LIMITS to your child’s educational reach

14. Contact Information
If you need to get a hold of me to discuss any questions, comments, or concerns regarding my class, specific assignments, or your child's progress please feel free to me at You will receive a reply within 48 hours. If you would like a phone conference or a physical parent conference please set up the day and time with Ms. Rachel Papas or Ms. Mendez in the middle school office. Highschool – Please reach out to your child’s designated counselor I am available on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3:30pm - 4:00pm.

15. Donations: Gift Cards are accepted www.donorschoose.org/mmorcos
Any supplies are accepted as well

16. Thank You!