Burbank High School
English Guidelines
Telephone: 818.558-4700
FAX: 818.845.6122
"...to know the best that is known and thought in the world, and by...making this known, to create a current of true and fresh ideas."
Matthew Arnold
Academic Goals:
1. To acquire the rhetorical skills necessary to write effectively.
2. To challenge ourselves to read quality literature to discover its truths and thereby discover more about ourselves and our humanity.
Responsible Citizenship: Abide by the Burbank School District's Standards of Pupil Behavior. Hall passes are for emergencies. Students must be in assigned seats prepared for work before the tardy bell rings. Citizenship grade is figured on the basis of positive contributions to advancing the work of the class.
Academic Achievement: Grades are based on written and oral work. Grades are given daily. Students who are absent can make up work by writing 350-500 word essays on topics related to classwork. Grades are assigned on a point basis using the following scale: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-50=D, anything below 50=Fail. Students must present a portfolio of written work before each quarter grade.
Daily and long-term homework assignments are given. Tests will be announced in advance.
* Students must keep all assigned work and be able to produce it at any time.
* Students will be assigned independent reading of self-selected books. Parental supervision is encouraged.
Make-up work: Make-up assignments, test, and quizzes are the student's responsibility and are due the day following the day of return from an excused absence. After that time the grade is lowered 20% per day. If student is absent on the day of a group presentation, the group will present, and the absent student will make up the presentation solo.
* In the event of extended absence, students should make individual arrangements to make-up work.
Written work standards: All work is to be typed or written in blue or black ink on standard white paper. Work submitted in pencil or that is illegible will be discarded.
Materials: Bring textbooks, Independent Reading, at least six sheets of notebook paper, and two pens to class. Textbooks must be covered. Highlighter pens, post its, and markers will be useful.
Lifelong Learning habits: Although you may make-up reading, written work, and presentations after you are absent, you lose the opportunity to participate, and the opportunity to work with a community of students (and you lose the daily points unless you turn in a make-up essay on an appropriate topic). Poor attendance usually leads to low achievement, which will be reflected in low grades.
Communication: A conference can be arranged before or after school.
Let me know if special circumstances need to be considered in my evaluation of your work.
Dear Parents and Student;
These guidelines were developed so that together we can have a productive and rewarding semester.
Period ____________
Date _______________
Parent's
Signature___________________________________________________________
Student's
Signature___________________________________________________________
Student Name (printed)_______________________________________________
Thank you,
Ms. M. Drucker