WRHS CORE VALUES: Citizenship and Responsibility; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation
English 9 CPA- Journey and Identity
Room C017
Mrs. Rejniak
2015-2016
Emily_Rejniak@wrsd.net
http://teacherweb.com/MA/WachusettRegionalHighSchool/Swan
English 9 CPA is an intensive course designed to help students become stronger
writers, and readers. Students will analyze and read a variety of sources and exam
in them in a manner in which is found on standardized tests. Students will also be
subjected to grammar concepts, vocabulary, literary terms, the research process,
and thesis papers.
Required Readings and Units:







Homer’s The Odyssey
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Short stories (selected works)
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Poetry (selected works)
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
Grammar (selected concepts taught throughout the year)
Required Class Materials


A large three ring binder (suggested at least 1 inch)
Writing utensil
All students are required to come to class each day fully
prepared with a writing utensil, a pen/pencil, and the current
novel or material in which the class is studying. Students
should organize all materials from class in his/her binder.
Students should not discard of any materials without the
teachers consent.
Expectations and Rules
WRHS LEARNING EXPECTATIONS: While mastering core content, it is expected WRHS students will exercise
responsible citizenship, communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems, think creatively,
collaborate and take an active role in their learning, and use technology effectively.
WRHS CORE VALUES: Citizenship and Responsibility; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation
1. Be respectful of your peers, teachers, and classroom materials. Also, be
responsible of your own actions. Plain and simple-following these rules as a
guide will keep you focused and out of trouble. Remember that if you give
respect, you will receive respect in return.
2. No profanity!
3. Be on time for class. Tardiness will not be tolerated and will result in a teacher
detention (students will be given at least 24 hours notice before having to serve a
teacher given detention). Arriving more than a minute late will result in the
student being written up and having to handle the issue with a school
administrator.
4. Come to class prepared. After the bell rings, I will not allow you to go to your
locker to obtain missing work or materials. Missing work or materials may
result in a teacher detention.
5. Please stay seated until the class has ended. Do not line up at the door before
the bell rings!!!!
6. No cell phones or other electronic devices including but not limited to iPods. If I
see these items I will have to confiscate them and turn them into the school
administrators. If you have e-readers and find them useful pertaining to the
content of the class, these will be permitted on a case-by-case bases.
7. Food and drink will only be permitted in the classroom during third period
announces. During this time, students should remain seated and listening
quietly to the announcements.
8. Please try to use the bathroom before class begins. However, if you need to go
during class, please do not interrupt me while I am teaching or giving
instructions; wait for a more convenient time or take a pass and sign out on the
clipboard.
9. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade on
the corresponding assignment. Plagiarism may also result in school disciplinary
action.
VIOLATIONS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All students’ academic work must reflect their own honest efforts. Cheating and plagiarism
in any form will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to copying homework,
papers, lab reports, or quiz or test answers; acquiring or disseminating quizzes or tests
before they are administered; or using information from the Internet or other outside sources
without proper attribution. Any student known to have cheated will be subjected to penalties,
up to receiving “0” for the work. Possible penalties will be made known to each class by the
teacher and will be included in the course syllabus. Students who collaborate with others in
cheating by allowing their papers to be copied or by other means will be subjected to
penalties commensurate with their involvement, which may include the student receiving “0”
for the work or suffering significant grade reduction. In all cases, the principal or the class
administrator along with the department head and teacher will be informed about both the
incident and the penalty imposed, and the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified. The
administration reserves the right to impose other penalties up to and including removal from
WRHS LEARNING EXPECTATIONS: While mastering core content, it is expected WRHS students will exercise
responsible citizenship, communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems, think creatively,
collaborate and take an active role in their learning, and use technology effectively.
WRHS CORE VALUES: Citizenship and Responsibility; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation
the course, removal from honor societies, and loss of eligibility for scholarships with
“honor” as criteria.
10. This is English class; therefore I do not want to see you working on any other
subject. If I see you doing homework and or projects for another class, I will
confiscate your work and have to inform your current teacher.
11. All rules in the WRHS Student Handbook apply in the classroom. The school
discipline policy can be found within the handbook.
12. Try your best and enjoy uncovering new topics and ideas!!!!
Grading and Assignments
 Homework, Class Work, and Participation 20%
Students will receive homework on a daily basis and often times the
assignment will be collected and counted as a grade. Students will also
oftentimes be granted time in class to work with his/her peers or individually
on an assignment. All homework and class work will be collected at the
beginning of class the assignment is due. Late homework and class work
will not be accepted, unless you have a documented absent (see makeup
work policy). If you are having trouble meeting a deadline please see me
before the assignment is due so that we can work out the issue and make
sure you receive credit for your work. Oftentimes homework and class work
will be grade on a check mark system:
+ =100
 =85
- = 70
 Test and Quizzes 35%
Tests will be weighted twice in this category and will always be announced at
least two days in advance. Students will most likely be tested at the
completion of a unit. Students will also take vocabulary quizzes. Oftentimes
when students are assigned reading for homework, they will be presented
with a reading quiz the next day. Students are permitted to use his/her hand
written notes and staple them to his/her quiz when he/she is done taking the
quiz. Reading quizzes are designed to check your understanding and
completion of the reading assignment. The quizzes should not take longer
than ten to fifteen minutes.
WRHS LEARNING EXPECTATIONS: While mastering core content, it is expected WRHS students will exercise
responsible citizenship, communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems, think creatively,
collaborate and take an active role in their learning, and use technology effectively.
WRHS CORE VALUES: Citizenship and Responsibility; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation

Writing and Projects 45%
Throughout the course of the year, students will engage in various projects
and writing assignments in and out of school. Projects and writing will be
assessed through the use of documented and distributed rubrics. Writing
assignments may vary in length and complexity. Students will complete two
critiques, one in the first semester, one in the second semester. Due to the
complexity of this assignment, critiques will be heavily weighted depending
on the amount of assignments that term. Students will also complete an
independent reading project a total of four times throughout the school year.
More information will be provided on this assignment.
Projects and writing assignments will be accepted late up to three days.
Each day it is late, ten points will be deducted from the final grade. After
three days, student’s will received a zero for the missing work.
Make-Up Work
See me once you have returned to school. All work previously assigned before your
absence is expected upon your return. All school rules regarding allotted time to
make up work will be followed. You can also e-mail at anytime with questions or
assignments. If you missed a reading quiz, you will be expected to make it up upon
your arrival to school.
Extra-Help
I am available for extra help before and after school. Please feel free to make
arrangements with me or see me in my office or classroom for extra help.
Contacting Me
I am always available to answer questions from either students and or parents. I
check my e-mail daily and would encourage this as the best form of communication.
My e-mail can be found on the top of the syllabus. I also have a website that will be
weekly updated with any announcements and or long term projects or writing
assignments.
WRHS LEARNING EXPECTATIONS: While mastering core content, it is expected WRHS students will exercise
responsible citizenship, communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems, think creatively,
collaborate and take an active role in their learning, and use technology effectively.
WRHS CORE VALUES: Citizenship and Responsibility; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving; Creativity and Innovation
Please detach, sign and return to Mrs. Rejniak after reading the class syllabus.
I, ______________________________, have read and understand the rules and
procedures for Mrs. Rejniak’s English class and will respectfully follow them to the
best of my ability.
Student’s signature: _________________________________
Date:_____________
Parent’s signature: __________________________________
Date:_____________
WRHS LEARNING EXPECTATIONS: While mastering core content, it is expected WRHS students will exercise
responsible citizenship, communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems, think creatively,
collaborate and take an active role in their learning, and use technology effectively.