Indian River Charter High School
Mrs. Shaw’s HomeBase Syllabus
Instructor: Mrs. Shaw
Classroom: Room 72
Phone: (772) 567-6600 ext. 221
Email: kristin.shaw@irchs.org
Statement: HomeBase is meant to go beyond the academics of your years at IRCHS. HomeBase is established
for guidance, character building, responsibility, and dealing with personal, ethical, and interpersonal issues
while in attendance at Indian River Charter High School. You and your homebase teacher will work together, in
tandem with your family and teachers, to make these years at Charter successful ones. This year, students will
receive an introduction to high school workbook which will be used during every Friday HomeBase session.
Lessons will go along with the workbook. Other themes such as teamwork, respect, leadership, tolerance, and
responsibility will also be discussed quite frequently this school year.
Graduation Requirements: All students must have completed one government meeting, one cultural event,
and ten volunteer hours for each semester they have been enrolled at Indian River Charter High School. The
forms to be filled out upon the completion of each activity can be found on http://www.irchs.org and also on
Mrs. Shaw’s website located at http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/kshaw2/ under the Homebase
subpage on the left. In addition, each student is required to complete their assigned HomeBase chore for the
annual VAPA show. Failure to complete any one of the above will result in an F for homebase. Two failures in
HomeBase will result in dismissal from Indian River Charter High School.
Supplies: Students are responsible to provide supplies for the successful completion of their weekly chores.
Indian River Charter High School has no custodial staff. It is important each HomeBase student maintains
responsibility and successfully completes their chore every week to keep the building clean! If a student fails to
do their chore during the week, they will receive a zero. If a student receives a classroom chore, they are not
able to do it when a class is in session. Students must plan their time according to the classroom schedule to
complete their chore. Students may periodically be assigned supplies to bring in during the school year
should there be a lack of supplies. Their assignment to bring in supplies will be counted as a chore grade.
Furnishings: Students are provided with a microwave, a refrigerator, tables and chairs. Students are asked to
purchase their own storage bin to house their school items. The bins must fit (12 x 12 x 12) on the
HomeBase bookshelves. Painting in HomeBase is strictly prohibited. Any form of HomeBase vandalism WILL
result in demerits.
Visitors: Any students in the HomeBase who are not assigned to Mrs. Shaw’s Homebase will result in demerits
of both the illegal visitor and the HomeBase student that allowed them in.
Classroom Interruptions: HomeBase students are not to interrupt Mrs. Shaw in the classroom when classes
are in session. (The ONLY exception is an EXTREME EMERGENCY)
Demerits: The following actions will result in the noted actions/demerits.
*Dress code violation – Student will be sent immediately to Mrs. Colontrelle’s office, which will result
in demerits of her choosing.
* Severe disruption during one of my classes taking place in HomeBase – Everyone in the HomeBase
will receive three demerits.
*Entering the classroom without permission or interrupting a class in session – three demerits
*Inappropriate language, including berating, ridiculing, or saying shut-up to another student – two
demerits
*Cell-phone use during Friday’s HomeBase lesson – five demerits
*Inappropriate horse-playing/touching – four demerits
*Allowing a visitor into HomeBase – three demerits
*Borrowing without permission or stealing another student’s items (including food, drink, clothes,
writing utensils or books) – three demerits
*Vandalism of HomeBase belongings/school property – five demerits
*All other school policies according to the Indian River Charter High School Student Handbook will be
enforced.
Grading Distribution:
40% Chores – This includes weekly chores, turning in a signed syllabus, and other various assignments
throughout the semester.
20% Individual Meeting – Students must show up for their appointed individual meeting times.
20% Sign-In/Sign Out – This includes signing in and out on a daily basis, as well as individual meetings
throughout the school year.
20% Personal Development – This includes respectful participation in HomeBase activities and Friday
HomeBase meetings.
Cultural Event – Pass/Fail. This includes attending a cultural event once each semester.
Government Meeting – Pass/Fail. This includes attending a government meeting once each semester.
Volunteer Hours – Pass/Fail. This includes working 10 volunteer hours once each semester once you are
enrolled at IRCHS.
VAPA Chore – Failure to attend and do the VAPA Semester Show chore will result in failure of HomeBase
Curriculum Days – Each unexcused absence will change a completed chore grade to an automatic zero.
Grading Scale:
A, B, F – Two failures in HomeBase will result in dismissal from Indian River Charter High School.
Mrs. Shaw’s HomeBase Syllabus Agreement
By signing I agree - I have read and understand the syllabus. I am aware if there are any questions, I
should contact Mrs. Shaw at Kristin.shaw@irchs.org or 567-6600 ext. 221.
Student Signature: ___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Preferred Contact Information:
Email: ______________________________________________________________
Best phone number for contact:___________________________________________