Eagle Valley High School
US Government Comprehensive Course Syllabus
FALL 2023
Instructor Information:
Name: Weston Gleiss
Phone: 970-328-1102
Email:weston.gleiss@eagleschools.net
Room: 1102
Lunch: A
Plan Period: 2th, 5th & 7th
Course Information:
●
●
●
●
●
Title: US Government Comprehensive
Format: In Person
Course Fees: None
Academic Resources:Chromebook.
Physical Resources: Chromebook
Course Description:
This is a one semester long senior level course designed to teach students about government
and politics in the United States as well as their rights as an American citizen. We will center
our learning on becoming stronger critical thinkers ready to interact in our society.
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
BILL OF RIGHTS
○
SUMMATIVE: BOR - Argumentative Essay
○
Standards: 4.2D, 4.2E
PHILOSOPHICALLY CORRECT
○
SUMMATIVE: Preamble Fish Bowl
○
Standards: 4.2A, 4.2D, 4.2I
VOTING
○
SUMMATIVE: Mandatory Voting Fish Bowl (Or other assessment)
○
Standards: 4.1A, 4.1C, 4.2D, 4.3A, 4.3C
POLITICAL PARTIES
○
SUMMATIVE: Political Party Paper
○
Standards: 4.1A, 4.1D
2ND AMENDMENT
○
SUMMATIVE: 2nd Amendment Seminar
○
Standards: 4.1A, 4.2A, 4.2D
SOCIAL MEDIA
○
SUMMATIVE: Social Media Seminar
○
Standards: 4.1A, 4.1B, 4.1C, 4.1D
AMENDMENT 28
○
SUMMATIVE: Amendment 28 Project
Standards: 4.1A (To be determined)
FINAL: Citizenship Test
○
●
Unit Summative Grades: Presentations, Essay, Debate, DIscussion, Video, Student Choice
Priority Standards and Student Outcomes:
●
●
●
Express an understanding of how civic participation affects policy by applying the rights and
responsibilities of a citizen.
Analyze the origins, structures, and functions of governments to evaluate the impact on citizens
and the global society.
Express an understanding of how civic participation affects policy by applying the rights and
responsibilities of a citizen.
Classroom Guidelines and Procedures:
Show up ready to engage with your classmates. Behavior issues will be addressed in class as best
as possible. Be respectful of the opinions of others and everything will be fine. We will use
proven MTSS strategies to address any behavior issues.
●
●
●
Cellphones and Headphones: EVHS has a zero tolerance cell phone policy, and cell phones and
headphones must be put away when students enter the classroom.
○ Procedure for non-compliance and escalation steps
■ #1 - Phone is given to administration and the student can pick it up from the
administrator at the end of the day
■ #2 - A parent must pick up the phone from an administrator.
● Habitually disruptive and/or defiance towards policy will result in
additional consequences that may include Detention, In-School
Suspension, Out-of-School Suspension, and Expulsion.
E-Hallpass: Students must use E-Hallpass when they leave the classroom for any reason.
○ Students limited to 2 passes per day
○ 1 student out of class at any given time
○ No passes the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of class
○ Abuse of E-hallpass (excessive time out) will result in being on a “no pass” list
■ Habitually disruptive and/or defiance towards policy will result in additional
consequences that may include Detention, In-School Suspension, Out-of-School
Suspension, and Expulsion.
Bell-to-Bell: We plan on being engaged in the learning process for the duration of the course.
Please be prepared to start class at the starting bell and end class with the ending bell.
●
●
●
●
Tardy: Students need to be in class and ready to learn when the bell rings. Students will be
marked tardy if they are late to class, and tardies will result in disciplinary action. If a student
misses the first 10 minutes, 10 minutes during class, or the last 10 minutes of class they will be
counted as absent.
○ Habitually disruptive and/or defiance towards policy will result in additional
consequences that may include Detention, In-School Suspension, Out-of-School
Suspension, and Expulsion.
Emergency Procedures: Students will participate in all fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills in
order to understand how to best evacuate classrooms and hallways. Teachers will instruct their
classes on specific exit routes and procedures. In the case of a fire we will exit the classroom
then head left out the door. In the case of a lockdown we will do whatever is necessary to
survive.
Late Work Policy: You are allowed to turn in late formative assignments up until the end of a
unit. SUMMATIVE assignments will be accepted up to 2 weeks after a unit ends.
Revision Policy: SUMMATIVE assignments can be revised after a teacher discussion and agreed
upon plan. Students will have up to 2 weeks after a unit ends to complete all required items.
Course Material:
●
●
●
Academic Resources: Will be provided through Schoology
Physical Resources: Chromebook / Earbuds.
Folder / Binder for printed items.
EVHS Grading Policy:
●
●
●
●
Grades are Based on Academic Proficiency - Grades reflect proficiency of academic standards as
measured by varied and effective assessments. Practice and habits of success may be recorded
in the gradebook and used as evidence of learning.
The Learning Process Includes a Culture of Revision - The way we grade motivates students to
achieve academic success, supports a growth mindset, and gives students opportunities for
redemption. Achievement is not fixed, but rather a process of learning through consistent
feedback and opportunities for growth.
Academic Growth is the Product of Transparent, Timely, and Actionable Feedback and Grade
Reporting - The way we grade is transparent and understandable so that every student knows
their progress towards mastering standards.
Essential Skills are Necessary for Success - there are deadlines, being present matters, and
participation is an expectation. Everyone needs to be aware that although attendance is not a
grading standard, being absent and not turning work in is not part of a culture of revision.
Students will be held accountable for meeting certain deadlines and showing a level of work.
EVHS Grading Scale:
Proficiency Level
Scale
GPA
Weighted GPA
Credit
Eligibility
Exemplary
4
4.0
5.0
Yes
Yes
Meeting
3
3.0
4.0
Yes
Yes
Developing
2
2.0
3.0
Yes
Yes
Beginning
1
1.0
1.0
No
No
No Evidence
0
0.0
0.0
No
No
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
The Board of Education seeks to educate students in the democratic tradition, to foster a recognition of
individual freedom and social responsibility, and to inspire meaningful awareness of and respect for the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of individual conscience, association, and expression will be encouraged, and fairness in
procedures will be observed both to safeguard the legitimate interests of the schools and to exhibit by
appropriate examples the basic objectives of a democratic society as set forth in the Constitutions of the
United States and the State of Colorado.
The final responsibility in the determination of the above rests solely with the Board.
LEGAL REF.:
Constitution of Colorado, Article IX, Section 15
Constitution of Colorado, Article IX, Section 16
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1) (t)
C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1) (r)
CROSS REF.:
IJ, Instructional Resources and Materials
IMB, Teaching About Controversial/Sensitive Issues
Teaching About Controversial/Sensitive Issues
Controversy is inherent in the democratic way of life. It is essential, therefore, that the study and
discussion of controversial issues have an important place in education for citizenship in a free society.
Students can develop into free citizens with informed loyalty to democracy only through the process of
examining evidence, facts, and differing viewpoints; through the exercise of freedom of thought and
moral choice, and through the making of responsible decisions.
Controversial issues are defined as those problems, subjects, or questions about which there are
significant differences of opinion, for which there are no easy resolutions, and discussion of which
generally create strong feelings among people. Although there may be disagreement over what the facts
are and what they mean, subjects usually become controversial issues because of differences in the
values people use in applying the facts.
Each student has the right and need, under competent guidance and instruction, to study issues
appropriate to his/her interest, experience, ability, and age. (S)he must have access to relevant
information, and (s)he has the obligation to examine carefully all sides of an issue. (S)he has the right to
form and express his/her own point of view and opinions without jeopardizing his/her position in the
classroom or in the school.
Each teacher has the right and the obligation to teach about controversial issues. It is his/her
responsibility to select issues for study and discussion which contribute to the attainment of course
objectives and the educational program established by the Board and to make available to students
materials concerning the various aspects of the issues. (S)he also has the obligation to be as objective as
possible and to fairly present several sides of an issue. Although (s)he has the right to express his/her
own viewpoint and opinions, (s)he does not have the right to indoctrinate students to his/her views.
Controversial issues are to be presented with good judgment, keeping in mind the maturity and
background of the students. The influence on values, attitudes, and responsibility of the individual
students must be considered in conjunction with the actual subject content.
It is recommended that parents and patrons of the Eagle County School District:
1. Recognize that it is the responsibility of the school to present controversial issues that are
appropriate to the curriculum;
2. Refrain from attempting to suppress the teaching about controversial issues, assuming that the
guidelines of responsibility and appropriateness have been followed;
3. Inform the teacher, principal, and other appropriate personnel when they have information that
indicates controversial issues are being dealt with in an inappropriate manner.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
1.
To research, study, and discuss significant issues, and to reach judgments and express opinions
without jeopardizing their relationship with classmates or teachers.
2.
To learn in an open classroom and school climate so that they feel free to examine any aspect of
a controversial issue.
3.
To study under competent instruction in an impartial atmosphere and have access to relevant
material.
4.
To recognize that reasonable compromise often is an important facet in decision making in our
society.
Teacher Rights and Responsibilities
1.
To be free to conduct reasonable study and discussion of controversial issues without fear of
reprisal.
2.
To maintain impartiality.
3.
To treat controversial topics objectively and to present alternative and/or divergent positions
and opinions.
4.
To determine the degree and extent of consideration given to a specific controversial issue based
upon knowledge, maturity, and competence of students and class.
5.
To reveal his/her opinion to the degree, and at the time, determined most appropriate (if at all).
If done so, the teacher should inform students that this is a personal opinion rather than a
factual and authoritative statement; should express the opinion (if at all) so that it does not
interfere with the evaluation process of the student; and should stress that the student has
every right to reach a different opinion.
6.
To be assured that (s)he will not be required to handle each and all controversial issues and
subjects.
7.
To ensure that an accurate, factual, and balanced presentation of materials is readily available
for the student.
8.
To be assured that parents will be directed and encouraged by the Board and administration to
take their questions and comments directly to the teachers concerned.
Administration Rights and Responsibilities
1.
A teacher who is in doubt about the appropriateness of discussing certain controversial issues in
the classroom or regarding his/her ability to explore such issues will confer with the building
principal. If the principal and teacher are unable to agree, the matter will be referred to the
Superintendent (or his/her designee) to make a decision.
2.
No group or individual has the right, without authorization, to present arguments for or against
any issue under study directly to students or to the class. The teacher, however, may, after
obtaining approval of the principal, invite representatives of different viewpoints to appear
before the class to discuss their opinions.
The Board's position in this matter applies to the regular curriculum of the schools and to
extracurricular activities before and after school, within the school building or outside of the
school, wherever school or school-related groups are involved.
Complaint Procedure
Any person having a complaint related to any matter within the scope of this policy may seek review
through the procedures set forth in Policy IJL -- Library Materials Selection and Adoption.
CROSS REF.:
ACD, Commitment to Religions Neutrality
IB, Academic Freedom
IJ, Instructional Resources and Materials
************************************************************************************
To confirm that you are aware of the course material & expectations, please sign and turn in your syllabus
using Kami. You can also print from home and turn in a physical copy if you choose.
8/22/23
Logan Drechsler
Student Name (Print) _______________________
Signature_________________________ Date:_______