Mater Lakes Academy Middle / High



“Home of the Bears”A Miami Dade County Public Charter School17300 NW 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33018 (305) 512-3917______________________________________________________________________________________Ms. Kara NulphJournalism/Yearbook Room 132Welcome Letter/Parent ContractDear Yearbook Family,My name is Kara Nulph and I will be teaching Yearbook Journalism this year. I graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education. This course helps produce the Mater Lakes Academy Yearbook. In this course, students will gain skills in the following areas: page design, publishing techniques, copy writing, editing, photography, record keeping, time management, teamwork, marketing, and leadership skills. Students are tasked with producing a timeless, creative, and innovative publication which will record our school’s community, memories and events.It is important for parents and students to sit down together and read and discuss the information provided in this document. Please sign and date the attached form and return it back to me as soon as possible. TARDIESTardies will result in a lower conduct/academic grade. If students are tardy in my class, it is their responsibility to either speak with me or another responsible classmate to obtain any missed assignments or notes. Copies of all handouts will be kept in the front of the room and updated each week. After an excessive amount of tardies in my class, there will be a call home, a responsibility paper or, if applicable, a detention may be assigned. ABSENCESAll assignments are expected to be handed in and completed ON TIME; however, if you miss school for an excused reason, you must obtain a pass from the main office and make sure that all your teachers sign it in the designated area. Once that official pass is received, you will be expected to catch up on all assignments missed while you were out. Make-up work should be completed no later than ONE week after the excused absence occurred. A “Z” or an “F” will appear on the grade book until I have received the assignment. Students have 48 hours from the time they return to school from their absence to “excuse” their absence with the main office. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence and in this case, students are NOT allowed to make up the work. It is imperative that you understand the importance in being present in class at all time, because as noted, it directly affects your grade not only in my class, but in all other courses as well. *Please look to the Parent Contract for information on the school’s policies regarding “excused” and “unexcused” absences and tardies, along with any additional rules or details that may be of interest to you.EXPECTATIONS Students will be challenged with real world projects and assignments. High quality work is expected at all times. Students are expected to fully participate in each activity they are tasked with. Students are also expected to participate in outside of class time activities and meetings. To produce a complete yearbook, students will be required to attend school activities to take photographs and gather information to be used in the yearbook. When attending these events as staff, students are to act professionally. Due to the nature of publishing deadlines, students will be expected to work periodically after school and to attend after school events in order to meet publishing deadlines. Excellent class attendance and a positive attitude are essential in working successfully in our team environment. If you are going to miss class or events, it is important that you communicate with me.REQUIREMENTSFully participate as a yearbook team member. Attend a minimum of 3 out of class school events and function to take appropriate photos for yearbook. Meet deadlines. Be proactive. Be respectful and reliable. Always do your best. Be creative. Represent the yearbook staff to the best of your ability.HOME LEARNINGHomework will be given on a regular basis in order to meet deadlines, and it is expected to be turned in on time. Due to the rigor necessary to produce yearbook material, students should write their homework down on an agenda. They can also always view the homework on our website, , and print any necessary forms or worksheets. Class or school announcements along with important parent/student information will also be posted on the website. I encourage parents and students to access the website routinely as it is a great tool to use. NO NAME WORKStudents who turn in assignments (homework/classwork/quiz/test) and fail to write their name will not be given credit for their work. All “no name” assignments will be placed on the “No Name” board near the front of the class until the end of that particular quarter. If by the end of the semester no student claims their work, the assignments will be discarded, and no credit will be given. UNEXCUSED LATE WORKDue to the importance of deadlines required to produce the yearbook on time, NO late work will be accepted after a deadline has passed. Students will be notified of deadlines in advance and given ample time to complete work and/or ask for assistance if necessary. ASSESSMENTSEvaluations: Students will be evaluated based on classroom production, deadline production, and attendance at out of class events/meetings. Grades will be based on total points earned. Classroom Production: Includes activities and quizzes for evaluating mastery of yearbook journalism skills and concepts. Deadline Production: Evaluation of hands-on production based on planning and progress in addition to the quality of the yearbook work and its timely completion.CLASSROOM RULESBeside the rules in the student handbook, students must also follow these rules in class:No gum, food, or drink near computers, printers, or equipment. No cell phones in plain sight during tests/quizzes, or certain work times. Cell phones may be used when directed, and only for educational/yearbook purposes, such as photos, audio recording or research.Be on time to class. If you are on official yearbook business, use a yearbook pass. Be a good team member! Be courteous and respectful to instruction, ALL students and equipment in room.Bring all needed materials with you to class. Always be positive! Negative attitudes multiply quickly.Be responsible for any yearbook equipment you take out of classroom. Be attentive in class. Oral directions are just as important as written directions. Let me know in advance if you are going to miss an out-of-class coverage assignment, so we can adjust accordingly.CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING CLASSROOM RULESVerbal Warning/ Teacher-student conferenceParent contactDetentionReferralIndoor/outdoor suspensionCATEGORIES FOR GRADESAssessments: 50%Homework/Classwork: 50%CONDUCT GRADING SCALEA: 0-2 warningsB: 3-5 warningsC: 6 warningsD: 7-9 warningsF: 10 or more warnings EFFORT GRADING SCALE1: Outstanding Effort2: Satisfactory Effort3: Insufficient EffortACADEMIC GRADING SCALEA: 90%-100% 4B: 80%-89% 3C: 70%-79% 2D: 60%-69% 1F: 59%-0% 0MATERIALS REQUIRED(1) 1” binder (any color)1 pocket folder1 single-subject notebook (college ruled)USB Flashdrive with at least 1G of space. Students may use this for other classes, as well.MANY blue/black PENS & Pencils Highlighters (all different colors) Loose Leaf Paper- College Ruled Colored Pencils (1) Pack of Index CardsStudents may use their own digital cameras, if they have them.WISH LIST It would be greatly appreciated if students could also bring any or all of the following for classroom use:Lysol wipes Tissue boxesHand sanitizerExtra pens/markersExpo Dry Erase Markers (Colorful)Expo Whiteboard CleanerStaplesGlade Plug-in RefillsCONTACTCommunication is one of the keys to success in the classroom. Feel free to call our main office at 305-512-3917 or you can also e-mail, which is the most effective way to get in contact with me, at knulph@. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you, and to have a successful and exciting school year!Sincerely,Ms. Kara Nulph*REMEMBER*Please print out and sign this form stating that you and your child have read and understand the terms of this letter/contract. This will be your child's first homework grade in my class. Yearbook Commitment ContractParent/Guardian I grant permission for my child to work on yearbook-related errands in the community outside of school hours. I understand that my child will need to devote some time outside of class to the completion of assigned tasks. I understand that my child will be working with specialized equipment and supplies and will be held financially responsible for any damage, loss, and/or waste due to negligence. I understand that if my child is going to be absent that he/she needs to make arrangements for his/her out of class duties to be covered. Yearbook Staff Member I pledge to behave responsibly reflecting the best of myself, the staff, and school when on yearbook-staff related assignments in the community. I have been made fully aware that I may be asked to devote outside time in order to complete assigned tasks. I commit myself to making those times available. I understand the importance of the publications’ equipment and supplies and pledge to treat them with respect. Should I neglect, lose, and/or abuse the materials, I will repair or replace them. I understand the importance of my being at yearbook meetings. For whatever reason, when absent, I will call the adviser to report my absence so alternate plans can be made to meet deadlines. I agree to use the Yearbook equipment for yearbook purposes only. I acknowledge responsibility for equipment’s physical condition. I acknowledge responsibility for physical security of the equipment. I acknowledge all students who signed the check-out form are held fully and totally responsible for all the costs associated with lost/damaged equipment. I have read and understand the terms of this Welcome Letter/Parent Contract. I accept the responsibilities stated in this document.Student’s Name (PRINT)Parent/Guardian’s Name (PRINT) Student’s SignatureParent/Guardian’s Signature___________________________________________________Date ................
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