MS. HITCHCOCK'S CLASSES-LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING



Ms. Hitchcock’s 7th grade Peer Counseling Syllabus

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Contact Information:

Ms. Jean Hitchcock

Email is my preferred method of contact

hitchcockj@

hitchcockj.

Plato’s Mission:

The mission of Plato Academy Charter Schools is to assist students in achieving their full potential by requiring and nurturing high academic and behavioral standards in a safe, supporting, challenging and enthusiastic environment fostered by a commitment and cooperative effort between the school, students, parents, and community.

Class Description and Goals:

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop basic knowledge and skills in communication, meeting human needs, and conflict resolution. The following is the intended instruction. It is subject to change and to be enhanced by additional field trips and activities. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Peer Facilitating

• Human Needs

• Self Awareness and Expression

• Peer and Family Relationships

• Conflict Resolution

• Goal Setting

• Organization

• Social Skills

• Active Listening

• Personal Choices

• Healthy Lifestyles

• Effects of Stress

Students will be reading the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and will be completing assignments associated with this book. This is an excellent book and one which the author does an outstanding job of explaining how self actions effect mood, performance and one's environment. He encourages teens to be competitive with themselves and avoid comparison. He challenges them to develop internal control that will allow them to act rather than react to life. Parents should be aware of a few comments in the book that deal with sensitive issues. One brief anecdote concerns a girl who was sexually abused as a child by a boy of similar age (p. 59), and a few times slang is used for obscene gestures. Page 78 covers the topic "What about Sex" and the section "Caring For Your Heart" beginning on page 228 discusses "Sex and Relationships" and includes a 50 item listing titled "You're not ready to have sex if...." Although I believe that the book contains enough good content to warrant reading it, the pages that I will not be covering include pages 78-the top of 79, 228-231 as I feel that these topics will be covered in a more appropriate setting (in health education and at home).

Additional supplies needed for success:

• 1” binder

• Agenda/calendar to keep track of ALL classes

• DividersX3…7 Habits Begin-Midterm, 7 Habits Mid-Final, Other class projects/assignments

Grading Policy and breakdown:

Students will be graded informally and formally using several different types of assessments.

• 35% Tests…7 Habits Midterm compilation of worksheets…1st semester; 7 Habits Final

compilation of worksheets…2nd semester

• 30% Classwork…7 Habits worksheets projects

• 20% Participation…in projects, group work, collaboration, classroom discussions, etc.

• 15% Homework…ALL classes binder check…monthly

Assignments:

All assignments must be submitted by the given due date. Any work not completed during the school day will be considered homework.

Late Assignments/Missed Work:

Any assignments not received on or before the due date are considered late. In order to receive credit for any missed assignments, students must have an excusable absence, tardy, or early dismissal. Until the missing work is turned in, it will be put in the grade book as “0” (missing) which is equivalent to a “F”.

If you are absent and missing work or a test, you have one week from the day of your EXCUSED absence to make up the work. Otherwise it will be marked as incomplete which is equivalent to a “F”. No exceptions! Each day late will incur a reduction of 10%....day 1-10%, day 2-20%, day 3-30%, day 4-40%, by day 5 the student would incur a “F”.

It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to check with the teacher regarding any late/missed assignments and their due date. Making up missing tests or assignments is the responsibility of the STUDENT not the parent.

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is expected at all times during this class. Cheating or plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Consequences for this poor conduct may include: reduction in grade on assignment, redo assignment, assignment will be entered as 0-F with no option to make up, or other consequences as deemed appropriate. Academic dishonesty will be reported to a school counselor and a parent will be notified.

The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Do not enter the classroom if a teacher is not present. Quietly wait outside the door along the wall mindful that other classes may be in session.

• Please be on time and have all materials ready for class. If you do not arrive on time with all

materials, you will be marked TARDY.

• Have all completed homework on your desk at beginning of each class.

• Copy day’s homework exactly into your agenda or calendar.

• Please respect school property, and all others’ property.

• Appropriate and respectful behavior is to be shown to others at all times.

Student Choices and the Resulting Consequences:

Students should understand that they have choices and that it is up to them whether those choices are good or bad. Either way, there are consequences for those choices, which are also good or bad depending on the choice(s) they make.

Plato Academy has a very strict but fair discipline policy. Appropriate behavior will ensure uninterrupted teaching and will encourage an atmosphere conducive to learning. Consequences including out of school suspension and possible expulsion are assessed for noncompliance.

Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices:

Students may bring cell phones and other electronics to school. However they must be turned off and given to the front desk. Cell phones and electronics may not be turned on while on school property. Cell phones or electronics being used or found will be confiscated by the staff until a parent is able to pick up the cell phone. Cell phones may not be used to call home for illness or due to forgotten items. If a student is ill they need to use the front office to call home. Any lost or stolen cell phones or electronic devices are not the responsibility of the school.

Food:

In classroom snacks only are okay as long as they do not make a mess or disrupt the class. Foods not allowed ever: full lunch, sandwiches, sodas or other canned products, Cheetos, cheese balls or the like (orange food), any beverage that does not have a lid that seals completely (all drinks will be placed on the floor next to the student chair during class), any shelled items (seeds, nuts in the shell) or chips (noisy food and noisy containers). I do not allow full lunch to be eaten during classroom time…just small snacks. Students must clean up all messes they make. I reserve the right to change this policy to NO food items allowed if I see that there is a problem.

Backpacks:

Students may bring backpacks to school, but backpacks are to be left in their locker. No backpacks will be allowed in the classrooms.

Attendance Policy per Plato Academy Code of Conduct/Student Handbook:

Good attendance and punctuality are very important characteristics that all students need to acquire. Attendance is important to learning because when a student is absent they miss the strategies necessary to master skills being taught in class which are needed to be successful. Plato puts a lot of emphasis on good attendance and being at school on time.

In General

1. Students who have been absent five days or more in a grading period may be required to bring a certificate of illness from a licensed doctor to the school.

2. Every three "tardies" or early pick-up will result in the student receiving one unexcused absence.

3. Within 48 hours of a student’s absence the parent will send a note or call the school explaining the absence. If that contact does not occur, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

4. Excessive absences may lead to a referral and/or parent/teacher/administration conference.

5. 15 unexcused absences will result in staff contacting the truancy office and/or social services

being contacted.

To be successful we will use F.O.C.U.S as the Classroom Norm:

▪ Find the courage it takes to grow up and become who I really am.

▪ Open up to challenge so I can change.

▪ Care and be kind, for everyone I meet is fighting a hard battle.

▪ Understand that dreams only work when I do.

▪ Set myself up for success so anything can be possible.

Parents/Guardians:

I have read the syllabus for Peer Counseling and I understand the course goals, classroom discipline policy, supplies needed to be successful, course grading policy, late and classroom policies, and classroom norms.

Parent/Guardian signature:

Parent/Guardian email for monthly parent newsletter/updates

Parent/Guardian best parent contact name and telephone number:

Child’s name:

Child’s food and/or other allergies (we may go outside for activities):

Date:

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