English 9 Honors
Mrs. Veitz
Pennsbury High School
Welcome to ninth grade English class! The purpose of this course is to prepare you for
your journey ahead as an upperclassman. In order to properly prepare you for the years
to come, we will be working at the secondary level to further your skills in writing (both
on-demand and process), reading and analyzing different types of literature, and
effective oral communication. In addition, you will be expected to participate in
productive class discussions involving literature, writing and reading. Lastly, this course
will use a variety of texts, multimedia sources, and exemplars to enhance your
understanding of the class curriculum. Below are the necessary policies and procedures
for this classroom:
Course Requirements:
 Writing Portfolio which consists of the following:
1. Four in-class essays
2. Constructed responses focusing on concise writing

Two Process Essays:
1. An argument of judgment based on Romeo and Juliet
2. Rhetorical analysis of various speeches
Materials Needed:
 Assigned Text
 Pen/Pencil
 3 Ringed Binder with looseleaf or notebook to manage handouts
-- 5 dividers will be needed: vocab, grammar, literature, writing, close reading
 Post-it Notes for close reading and quote analysis
 Highlighters for close reading assignments (2 different colors)
*Please bring all materials to class daily
Classroom Rules:
 Be on time and come to class prepared each day.
 RESPECT ALL PERSONS at all times. This includes one another, the teacher, and
the school community.
 Doing work from other classes during English class is not permitted.
 Sleeping is considered disruptive and is unacceptable.
 Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class and will result in immediate parent
notification (see Academic Integrity Policy)
 Cell phones and all other electronic devices are prohibited and may NOT be used
during class time.
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. Phone call home
3. Student Infraction
4. Referral to Administration
Grading:
Throughout this course, you will be required to complete many different assignments
ranging from writing samples to vocabulary extension. Your grade in this class will be
determined using the following percentages:
45% = composition
35% = skills test
15% = quizzes
5% = classwork/assignments
The marking period, common assessment grades, and final grades will then be
translated into a letter grade according to the Pennsbury grading system:
97-100% A+
93-96% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
60-66% D
0-59% F
No extra credit is given in this course.
**It is important to always remember that I do not give grades…YOU earn them!
Absences:
If at any time a student is absent it is his/her responsibility to see me upon the date of
return to make up any missed work. I will be happy to assist any student before/after
school or during EOP to help catch up on missed work. I cannot be responsible to
consult each student concerning missed work on the date of return. If you are absent
on the day a major assignment is due or a test/quiz is given, I will expect to receive your
assignments/make-up test within three class days. In addition, it would be a good idea
to obtain another student’s phone number that you could rely on for missed work and
record below:
Partner’s Name __________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ E-mail Address _____________________
Contact:
If at any time throughout the semester you need to contact me, I can be reached by
phone at 215-949-6700 ext. 80281 or through e-mail at lveitz@pennsbury.k12.pa.us
*You may also access our class Zumu page for assignment reminders/missed work
through the Pennsbury School District’s website at www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us.
Although the high school experience is relatively new to you right now, you have the
choice to make it a successful year! Let’s start off on the “right foot” together. I look
forward to a fun and exciting semester, and remember:
“This is the best day the world has ever seen. Tomorrow will be better.”
~R.A. Campbell
Once you have read and understood all of the necessary policies and
procedures of 9th grade English class, please fill out the following, detach
and return to me by Tuesday, September 8th.
Student Name (print):
___________________________________________________
Student Signature:
______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature:
_______________________________________________
Parent Phone Number and E-mail Address:
_______________________________________________________