Student Handbook
2012 – 2013
J. R. Tucker High School
2910 North Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23294
School: 804-527-4600 ext. 3069
Center: 804-527-4618
Fax: 804-527-4618
http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/hs/tucker/departments/immersion.htm
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OVERVIEW
Originally known as the Foreign Language Immersion Center, the Center for World
Languages was founded in 1993 at J. R. Tucker High School as the second Specialty Center
for Henrico County Public Schools. We are proud to continue this tradition into its second
decade. We offer all students in the program an opportunity to prepare themselves to thrive in
a society that is rapidly becoming global in nature.
The Center for World Languages offers a four-year Spanish immersion program which
begins in the ninth grade. Through the variety of classes offered, students gain a deep
understanding of the Spanish language and the variety of cultures in the Spanish-speaking
world. In addition, students are required to take one year of another world language. The
study of the structures and complexities of other languages broaden knowledge of other
cultures and languages and often benefit students in their study of the structure of English.
By partnering with new-found friends and teachers at the Center for World Languages,
students develop the ability to communicate and exchange ideas and information comfortably
in the target language.
FACULTY 2011-12
Rose Belue
Immersion 12 (AP Literature)
Phyllis Claytor
Immersion 10
Anne Fano
Immersion 9
Immersion World History and Geography II
Immersion Humanities
Ashley Holland
Immersion Health and PE 9
Michelle Valerio
Immersion 11 (AP Language)
PROGRAM GOALS & OBJECTIVES
•
To develop a near-native proficiency in Spanish
•
To promote awareness, acceptance, and understanding of cultural differences
•
To reinforce and further knowledge in other school subjects through world languages
•
To demonstrate understanding of the nature of languages through comparisons of the
other languages studied and English
•
To use the target language both within and beyond the school setting
•
To show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal
enjoyment and enrichment
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
In order to receive the Center for World Languages seal on the diploma, students are
required to earn ten Immersion course credits. These ten courses include eight required
courses and two electives. Students entering the program in 2010-2011 and thereafter will be
required to complete four years of Spanish Immersion plus an additional year of a second
language.
*Immersion Language 9
*Immersion Language 10
*Immersion Language 11 (AP Language)
*Immersion Language 12 (AP Literature)
*Immersion World History II (from 1500 to the present, 10th grade)
Immersion Health and PE 9
Field Experience
1 year of a second language
Students must choose from several different Immersion elective courses in order to
meet the ten credit requirement. These courses are offered in a cycle of alternating years;
therefore, students should work closely with their school counselor to choose classes wisely.
Study Abroad Exchange Program (1 credit)
*Immersion Humanities (1 credit)
*Immersion Conversation and Composition (1 credit)
*Immersion Language through Media (1 credit)
Students will receive a specialty center diploma when all the requirements listed are
completed. Each student must demonstrate proficiency in the language during the second
semester of the senior year.
Sample Four-Year Curriculum
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
•Immersion Spanish 9
•Immersion Health and
PE
•Other World Language
•Immersion Spanish 10
•Immersion World
History & Geography II
+Immersion Elective
•Immersion Spanish 11
+Immersion Elective
+Summer Study Abroad
English 9
Science
Mathematics
Social Studies or elective
English 10
Science
Mathematics
Personal Finance and
Economics
English 11
Science
Mathematics
Virginia and US History
Grade 12
•Immersion Spanish 12
•Immersion Field
Experience
English 12
Science
Mathematics
Virginia and US
Government
Elective
NOTES:
•Required Immersion Class.
+Immersion Elective
Immersion Humanities meets Fine Arts requirement for graduation.
Refer to Planning Guide and Counselor to determine which graduation requirements apply to you.
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The following is a list of required and elective courses that make up the
Center for World Languages curriculum. This information is subject to
change.
Immersion 9
#5520 36 weeks (1 cr); required for Center students; Grade 9 Honors; Instructed in Spanish
• Acquire skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish in conjunction with and
essential for content courses taught in Spanish.
• Develop all language skills through exploration of geography and the customs and
traditions of Hispanic countries.
• Reinforce learning through interactive web sites, audio selections, guest speakers, field
trips, and other activities beyond the classroom.
Immersion 10
#5530 36 weeks (1 cr); required for Center students; Grade 10 Honors; Instructed in
Spanish
• Improve skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish in connection with
content courses.
• Broaden conversational vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
• Apply all language skills through the analysis of customs, traditions, art and other cultural
components in the countries where the target language is spoken.
• Explore language applications beyond the classroom.
Immersion 11,
AP Language
#5570 36 weeks (1 cr.); required for Center students; Grade 11 Honors; Instructed in
Spanish
• Focus on themes to study literary works and their geographic and historical settings.
• Expand cultural knowledge.
• Refine structures, vocabulary usage, and speaking skills used in context.
• Prepare to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language exam.
Immersion 12,
AP Spanish
Literature
#5580 36 weeks (1 cr.); required for Center students; Grade 12 Honors; Instructed in
Spanish
• Refine and perfect Spanish language skills for use beyond the classroom.
• Complete an in-depth study of Spanish and Latin American authors and works that are
included in the reading list published by The College Board.
• Prepare to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature exam.
Immersion
World History &
Geography II
Course #2221 36 weeks (1 cr.); required for Center students; Grade 10 Honors;
Instructed in Spanish; Virginia SOL - World History & Geography II end-of-course test
(See Course #2221A in Section V of the HCPS Planning Guide for specific course content.)
Immersion Field
Experience
Course #5998 36 weeks (1 cr.); required for Center students; counts as a practical art
credit; Grades 10, 11, or 12 College Preparatory
• Learn how to apply for a job, prepare a résumé, and complete a job interview.
• Expand foreign language skills by working with elementary students and by working with
an organization, business, or agency that has international ties.
• Complete a minimum of 80 total hours of approved community service. (See Community
Service section for specific details.)
Immersion
Health & PE 9
Course #7300XP 36 weeks (1 cr.); required for Center students; Instructed in Spanish
(See Course #7300 in Section V of the HCPS Planning Guide for specific course content.)
Study Abroad
Course #5535 Summer (1 cr.); elective
Center students travel every other summer after Grade 10 or 11
• Pass/Fail
• Acquire knowledge of the culture and history of a Spanish-speaking country while living
with a family in that country for part of the summer.
• Complete preparatory work before travel and post-travel projects.
• Practice language skills while living in a Spanish-speaking country.
• Broaden cultural awareness by living in and learning about the culture of the country.
• Apply language skills in a total immersion environment.
Note: Students receive credit for the Center for World Languages’ study-abroad program
but do not receive credit for other travel experiences. Credit is posted on the student’s
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transcript during the school year following travel.
Immersion
Language
Through Media
Course #5997 36 weeks (1 cr.); elective; Grades 10, 11, or 12 Honors; Instructed in
Spanish
• Enhance ability to use and comprehend the language through Spanish newspapers,
magazines, television and radio broadcasts.
• Develop an understanding of other cultures while using authentic media sources.
• Learn about current issues in Spanish-speaking countries through current authentic
media.
• Conduct individual and group projects that use research on international media sources
as a basis for analyzing cultural attributes present in the media.
• Create examples of broadcast and print media in the target language that display these
cultural attributes.
Immersion
Humanities
Course #1518 36 weeks (1 cr.) elective; offered every other year; counts as one fine art
credit; Grades 11 or 12 Honors; Instructed in Spanish.
• Develop an understanding of/and appreciation for the historical and cultural elements that
contribute to the Spanish and Latin American civilizations.
• Study the music, art, literature, and culture of Spain from early times to the present by
using audiovisual and printed material (first semester).
• Study the music, art, literature, and culture of Latin American countries by using audiovisual and printed materials (second semester).
• Compare literary and artistic themes and analyze major works to identify historical and
cultural influences on those themes.
• Analyze relationships between culture and societal changes, both historical and recent,
and use these analyses to project future trends.
• Examine the differences between the culture of the mother country and its former colonies
where the language is now spoken, drawing on historical references to determine the paths
that led to these differences.
Immersion
Conversation
and
Composition
Course #5505 36 weeks (1 cr.) elective; offered every other year; Grades 11 or 12 Honors;
Instructed in Spanish.
• Improve oral communication, accent, intonation, and fluency.
• Expand vocabulary on a variety of topics.
• Strengthen complex grammar skills through written work
COURSE CREDIT & GRADE REVIEW
Students receive one Carnegie unit of credit for each successfully completed
Immersion class. All Immersion classes have honors weighted credit except for Field
Experience, Health and PE, Study Abroad Exchange Program and the required second
language.
Grades are an indication of success and progress in all classes. Earning and
maintaining good grades in all classes cannot be over emphasized. Excelling in Immersion
classes is expected, and grades in all classes will be reviewed regularly. Grade point average
(GPA) is calculated only on classes in which a student is enrolled each grading period. The
minimum GPA expectation for all students is 2.5.
If at the end of a nine-week marking period a student does not meet the minimum
GPA requirement, and/or receives a grade in an Immersion class of a C or lower, the student
will be placed on academic probation for the following nine week-marking period. If
the student fails to improve his/her GPA and/or Immersion grade by this time, an academic
review meeting will be held to determine whether or not the student will be allowed to
remain in the program.
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STUDENT CONDUCT
Students attending the Center for World Languages are expected to demonstrate the
highest degree of citizenship and decorum and serve as model members of the student
body at Tucker High School. Students are required to exhibit self-discipline, maturity, and
judgment in dealing with peers, instructors, administrators, staff and guests and to ensure the
safety and respect of all. Students who do not maintain excellent self-discipline, decorum
and good citizenship will be counseled to determine possible solutions and remedies.
Appropriate steps will be taken to address all discipline problems. Continued discipline
problems may result in a student being removed from the Center for World Languages.
This action could occur during a school year.
All students attending the Center for World Languages are subject to the Henrico
County Code of Student Conduct as a minimum expectation for behavior and judgment. In
addition, students are responsible for adhering to all rules and regulations that govern student
life at Tucker High School, and the rules and regulations as set out in the Center for World
Languages Handbook
ATTENDANCE & ASSIGNMENTS
All students at the Center for World Languages are expected to maintain regular
attendance in all classes. Because the Center for World Languages program is a rigorous
program of study, it not only requires regular participation, but also consistent class
preparation and interaction with other students and instructors. Students are expected to keep
up with classroom instruction, assignments, and assessments while out of school. Students
who fail to keep up with classroom instruction, assignments and assessments during extended
absences jeopardize their enrollment in the program.
TEXTBOOKS & MATERIALS
Individual class instructors issue textbooks and supplementary materials to each
student, and each student is responsible for the proper care of his/her textbooks and materials.
The student must pay for any lost or damaged textbooks and materials issued to him/her.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
All students enrolled in the Center for World Languages are required to complete a
minimum of 80 in-service hours while enrolled in Immersion Field Experience:
30 hours
30 hours
10 hours
10 hours
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Teaching/observing in elementary classes from
mid-October through the end of May
Planning for teaching lessons in those classes
Activities on teaching techniques
Community service with an approved organization, business,
or agency that has a cross-cultural connection
Up to ten additional community service hours may be substituted for hours in the first
three categories if needed. Community service performed during the summer prior to the
Immersion Field Experience course may be counted upon approval. Community service
hours that are used for fulfilling other school-related requirements may not be counted for
this class, but separately calculated hours from the same organization may count. For
example, if a student volunteers at the Ten Thousand Villages store for 75 hours, he/she may
submit ten hours of service toward Immersion Field Experience and use the remaining 65
hours to fulfill other community service requirements.
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JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER HIGH SCHOOL
CENTER FOR WORLD LANGUAGES
2910 North Parham Road
Henrico, Virginia 23294
804-527-4618
This is to confirm that my child, _______________________, and I have received, read, and
agree to comply with the rules and expectations of the program. I also understand that failure
to meet these expectations will jeopardize my child’s eligibility to remain in the center.
____________________________________________
Parent’s name (please print)
____________________________________________
Parent’s signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________
Student’s name (please print)
____________________________________________
Student’s signature
__________________
Date
http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/hs/tucker/departments/immersion.htm
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