Health 8
Sheila Taylor, MPH, MAT
Somerset Academy of Las Vegas - Sky Pointe Campus
Email: Sheila.Taylor@somersetnv.org
Website: Sheila.taylor@weebly.com
Phone: 702-788-8888 ext. 4102
We seek scholarship
We render service
We provide leadership
We develop character
Course Scope:
The intention of this course is to help students become health literate, maintain and improve their health,
prevent disease, and reduce risky health-related behaviors. Students will focus on the mental, physical,
social, emotional, and environmental aspects of human wellness. They will examine the following health
education topics: mental and emotional health, nutrition, substance use and abuse, safety, the body
systems, growth and development, prevention and control of disease, environmental health, and consumer
health. Students will learn about historical figures that made important contributions to the health field. They
learn life-long skills including communication, decision-making, and goal setting to enhance overall health
and wellbeing.
Course Standards:
1. Core Concepts (1.8.1-1.8.12): Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and
disease prevention to enhance health.
2. Analyze Influences (2.8.1-2.8.6): Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture,
media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
3. Accessing Information (3.8.1-3.8.2): Students will demonstrate the ability to access reliable
health information, products, and services to enhance health.
4. Interpersonal Communication (4.8.1-4.8.5): Students will demonstrate the ability to use
interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and to avoid or reduce health risks.
5. Decision Making (5.8.1-5.8.4): Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills
to enhance health.
6. Goal Setting (6.8.1-6.8.3): Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to
enhance health.
7. Self-Management (7.8.1-7.8.7): Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing
behaviors and to avoid or reduce health risks.
8. Advocacy (8.8.1-8.8.2): Students will demonstrate the ability to support/promote family, personal,
and community health.
Supplies:
 Pencils, paper, binder or folder for notes and handouts
 $5.00 for Scholastic class magazine
Textbook(s):
Glencoe Teen Health: Nevada Edition
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Course Overview:
Nutrition & Physical Activity
 Creating a Healthful Eating Plan
 Reading Labels
 Food Safety
 Body Image and Eating Disorders
 The Many Benefits of Exercise
Substance Use & Abuse
 Tobacco
 Alcohol
 Drugs
 Using Medicines Wisely
Injury/Violence Prevention
 Safety
 First Aid and Emergencies
 Violence Prevention
Mental & Emotional Health
 Building Character
 Building Healthy Relationships
 Resisting Peer Pressure
 Conflict Resolution
 Bullying & Cyber-bullying
 Mental & Emotional Disorders
 Body Systems
 Muscular System










Integumentary System
Digestive System
Circulatory System
Endocrine System
Immune System
Lymphatic System
Nervous System
Skeletal System
Respiratory System
Reproductive System
Growth & Development
 Fetal Development
 Infancy
 Childhood
 Adolescence / Puberty
 Adulthood
 Aging
Prevention & Control of Disease
 Communicable Diseases
 Non-communicable Diseases
Environmental/Consumer Health
 Preventing & Reducing Pollution
 Protecting the Environment
Grading Policy:
Parents and students may access grades at any time using Infinite Campus. Grades will be updated weekly.
96.5 - 100
92.5 - 96.4
89.5 – 92.4
86.5 – 89.4
82.5 – 86.4
79.5 – 82.4
76.5 – 79.4
72.5 – 76.4
69.5 – 72.4
66.5 – 69.4
62.5 – 66.4
59.5 – 62.4
59.4 and below
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.0
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Grade percentages are rounded to the 100th. For
example, a grade will be rounded up at .5 while .49
will be rounded down.
Quarter Weights
Quarter Test/Unit Tests
Quizzes/ Projects:
In Class Work:
Homework:
40%
30%
25%
5%
Semester Weights
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Semester Exam
40%
40%
20%
Extra Credit:
No extra credit will be awarded.
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Missing or Late Work:
Late work will be subjected to a 50% reduction. Assignments missed or late due to an excused
absence will be accepted without penalty. For each day absent, the student has one extra day to
submit the work assigned during his or her absence. Any assignment that was due on the day of
an excused absence must be completed and submitted the first day the student returns to school.
Policies/Procedures:
Daily Materials: Students will have all required material with them daily.
Entering Class: Students will complete their agenda and GIG during the first 3-5 minutes of class.
Dismissal:
Students will not leave the classroom until their teacher has dismissed them.
Food & Drink: No food, drink (other than water) is allowed in the classroom. Water bottles must
remain under desks to protect all electronics in the classroom.
Electronics:
Cell phones, iPods, laptops, and other electronic devices must remain off or on
“silent” unless otherwise indicated by the teacher. If a device is taken away during
class, it may be collected from the front office.
Dress & Attire: Standard Student Attire (See Student Handbook in Student Agenda.)
Talking in Class:
Students are encouraged to ask questions, participate in class discussions, and meet with partners
or groups nearly every day to discuss ongoing projects and ideas. Talking without permission,
however, is a major distraction and will not be tolerated in class. Students will receive 3 verbal
warnings when talking without permission. After the 3 warnings, they will move to level three on the
progressive discipline plan.
Tardy Policy:
A student is considered tardy when the student is not in his or her classroom when the tardy bell
rings. At the start of each class period, teachers will take attendance. All tardies are considered
unexcused unless the student has a written pass from a school official.
 Late students must sign the teacher’s tardy sheet.
 Students late 30 minutes or more to class will be marked absent for that period.
 Tardiness will result in a progressive disciplinary action including, but not limited to,
teacher action, Associate Principal’s detention, RPC, and suspension.
Progressive Discipline Policy:
Level One:
Verbal warning. The teacher will speak to the student about the behavior.
Level Two:
Removal. The student will be removed from the problem, or the problem will be
removed from the student.
Level Three: Detention. The student will serve a lunch detention.
Level Four:
Citation/ Parental Contact. The student will receive a citation and the parents will
be contacted through an email or phone call.
Level Five:
Disciplinary Referral. The student will be referred to the office.
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“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Unsatisfactory
Needs
“U”
Improvement
“N”
Satisfactory
“S”
Outstanding
“O”
Citizenship Grade:
Course citizenship, which includes attitude, classroom behavior and work habits, is reported
separately from academic grades. Students who receive two or more unsatisfactory citizenship
marks on any nine (9) week grade report may not be allowed to participate in extracurricular
activities including athletics, dances, pep-rallies, nonacademic performances, and club activities.
Somerset Academy Middle/High Schools will institute a 3-week academic eligibility check every
three weeks throughout the school year. Students earning “D” grades and below will participate in
intensive intervention activities each fourth and eighth week of the four quarters. It is the goal of
this intensive intervention to help students raise their comprehension of course content sufficient to
earn a “C” grade or higher in the four core areas of English Language Arts, mathematics, science,
and social studies.
WORK HABITS
Completes assignments, including
homework. Classroom participation is
constructive and elevates the academic
environment of the class. Always on
task in class.
Completes most assignments including
homework. Classroom participation
supports the academic environment of
the class. Rarely off task.
ATTITUDE/BEHAVIOR
The student arriving late is rare and all
absences are excused. Classroom rules
are followed. Consistently models
exceptional behavior and respect for
teacher, other students and property of
others.
The student arriving late is infrequent and
absences are excused. Attitude is positive
and respectful towards teacher, students,
and property. Follows classroom rules.
Completes some assignments, including
homework. Participation is rare or
unproductive. Not consistently on task in
class.
More than five times late and/or three
unexcused absences. Attitude can be
negative. Does not consistently follow
classroom rules.
Completes few assignments, including
homework. Does not participate in
learning activities. Frequently off task in
class
More than eight times late and/or three
unexcused absences. Disrespectful and
negative attitude diminishes the academic
and social environment of the class.
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Please sign and return this sheet to Mrs. Taylor by Friday, August 28
I have read and understand the preceding policies.
Student Name: _______________________________________________________
Date: _________________ Period: ______
Student Signature: _________________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Phone: Home: ______________________________________ Cell: _____________________________________
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Please sign and return this sheet to Mrs. Taylor by Friday, August 28
SEX EDUCATION PERMISSION FORM
Dear Parent/Guardian:
In compliance with the Nevada Revised Statutes 389.065, schools are required to obtain permission from the
parent/guardian of students who attend a class where instruction may include topics about the human reproductive
system and related communicable diseases. Below is a list of what is and is not discussed in the Somerset
Academy - Sky Pointe middle school health class.
Instruction & discussion during the “Body Systems,” “Growth & Development,” and ”Disease Control &
Prevention” units will include:
 Anatomical terms for the male & female reproductive systems (body systems)
 The development of a fetus: the fertilized egg through birth (growth & development)
 Physical and emotional changes during puberty/adolescence (growth & development)
 A brief synopsis of the most common sexually transmitted infections (communicable diseases)
 HIV/AIDS (communicable diseases)
Instruction & Discussion in Health 8 will not include:
 Sexual responsibility
 Contraception
 The physical, emotional, and social implications of (teenage) pregnancy
 In-depth instruction/discussion of sexually transmitted diseases
Most of the material for the topics above will come the classroom textbook, BrainPOP, TED.ed, and Nucleus
Medical Media. Unfortunately, textbooks cannot be taken home as we only have one class set, but if you would
like to take a look at one, you may come in at any time to do so. In addition, I would be happy to answer any
questions or concerns through email, over the phone, or in an after-school meeting.
Please indicate your awareness of Nevada Revised Statute 389.065, by signing below, and indicate your approval
or disapproval for your child to have these lessons. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via
email at <Sheila.Taylor@somersetnv.org> or by phone at (702) 478-8888 ext. 4403.
Sincerely,
Sheila Taylor, MPH, MAT
Email: Sheila.Taylor@somersetnv.org
Phone: 702-788-8888 ext. 4102
___________
YES, I want my child to participate in the lessons listed above.
___________
NO, I do not want my child to participate in the lesson(s) listed above. I understand that an
appropriate educational alternative will be provided.
(Please indicate the lesson(s) you do not want your child to take by drawing a line/lines through
it/them.)
Student’s Name (print): _________________________________________
Date: _________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________________
Date: _________________
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