Pebblebrook High School 3.0 Believe You Can
Department: English
Spring Semester 2016
COURSE TITLE: Ninth Literature and Music Leadership 101
EMAIL: Michael.rossi@cobbk12.org
Mike.rossi11@gmail.com
CLASSROOM BLOG: mrmarossi.wordpress.com
SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://www.cobbk12.org/Pebblebrook/
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Rossi
PHONE: 770-819-2521 ext. 906
PHS SCHOOL VISION: Empowering Students to Become Productive Members of a Global Community
PHS SCHOOL MISSION: Modeling and Developing Intellectual, Physical and Emotional Behaviors that Lead to Success for
All
KEY ACTIONS:
 Increase the Graduation Rate
 Increase rigor and student engagement (Project-based learning environment)
 Increase community and parental involvement
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
9th Grade Literature and Music Leadership is a 1.5 credit course which combines the traditional survey of classic and
contemporary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama with an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to writing. Students will
develop proficiency in all four strands of the Common Core standards for Language Arts while developing 21 st century leadership
and technology skills. Supplemental curriculum developed by the Usher’s New Look Foundation will allow students to earn an
additional .5 elective credit while gaining the confidence and skill set needed for success in today’s evolving global community.
GRADING POLICY:
Reading ……….…………………...……………….……25%
Writing………………….…………………………….….25%
Speaking and Listening.………….…..………………….15%
Language………………………………………………...10%
Common Assessment.…………………………………….5%
EOCT…………..……..………………………………….20%
GRADING SCALE:
A - 100-90%
B - 89-80%
C - 79-74%
D – 70-73%
F - 69-Below
SYNERGY ACCESS TO GRADES:
It is strongly encouraged that you keep your Synergy login information in a safe place and that you have access to the information
when needed. Parents should contact the Main Office (770.819.2521) or Dr. LaRoyce Sublett at ext. 099 in order to obtain their
synergy password and access information.
Please note that when you are viewing grades in Synergy that a blank grade column for your child has no effect on their grade. If
the space is blank, then your student may not have turned in that assignment due to absence or the teacher may not have entered
grades for that assignment at that time. An “X” means that the student is exempt from an assignment at the discretion of the
teacher.
Central Texts:
- Various Short Fiction and Narrative Writings
- Various Nonfiction Texts including:
o Speeches
o Historical Documents
o Memoirs
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- A three ring binder or keeper folder.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
1. Students will use appropriate language and represent themselves with dignity.
2. Students will not be permitted to utilize headphones, cell phones, or other electronic devices during class time.
3. Classroom disruptions by students will not be tolerated.
4. Students will not consume food or drinks within the classroom.
5. Students will respect the classroom environment and its occupants.
6. Students will use provided technology for appropriate, educational reasons.
FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION:
Students with no more than one excused absence may qualify to exempt one of their final exams. Students with a course average
of 80 or higher may exempt one final exam of their choice. Students with a course average of 79 or below may request that ten
percentage points be added to the final exam grade. Towards the end of the semester, students who qualify may submit an Exam
Exemption Form to the classroom teacher of their choice. Teachers must verify that the student qualifies for the exemption.
PARTICIPATION:
Class participation is an important component of the AP curriculum. Much can be learned from the exchange of ideas that occurs
during class discussions. Frequent absences SERIOUSLY jeopardize your success in this class. The participation grade will be
based on the degree of student involvement in the learning activities, including attention to and participation in written and oral
exercises, class discussion, preparation for class, and homework. To reiterate: If you do not participate in formal class
discussions, you will not receive a passing grade for that activity.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY:
Attendance is ESSENTIAL to your success in this course. It is YOUR responsibility to come to school and “plug in” to the
learning community. Being here does not mean simply filling the seat.
A student who is present and actively participates is more likely to be successful; however, if a student has an excused absence,
he/she has the number of days absent plus one day to make up assigned work. If the student does not make up the work, a
zero will be given for the missed work. All a student has to do is ASK, and I will be happy to designate a time for make-up work.
Remember, that IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR AND TO MAKE UP ANY MISSED WORK!
Please check the blog for all missed work.
Any student who misses class for OSS or ISS must turn in his/her work the day he/she returns to class. Students in OSS must
have their work picked up in the main office.
TARDY POLICY:
To avoid being counted tardy, students must be seated and ready for class when the bell rings. School policy states that students
may receive Saturday School, In-School Suspension, and Out-of-School Suspension for repeated tardies.
TUTORING HELP:
Morning Session: By Appointment Only. Availability will be announced weekly.
Afternoon Session: By Appointment Only. Availability will be announced weekly.
CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
As per the school’s policy, cell phones are not to be used during class time unless directed by the teacher for instructional
purposes. Students will receive a discipline referral after one warning to put away any electronic device (unless the device is
being used for instruction). Students are allowed to bring certain technologies to class (iPad, laptop, Kindle, etc.), but it should
NOT interfere with the teaching or other’s learning.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Cheating is considered a serious matter. Any student who is involved in cheating/plagiarism will receive a grade of zero on the
material, an unsatisfactory in conduct, and his/her parents will be notified.
For this course, cheating is defined as, but is not limited to, the following acts:
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Copying anyone's answers to questions, exercises, study guides, class work or homework assignments
Taking any information verbatim from any source, including the Internet, without giving proper credit to the author, or
rearranging the order of words and/or changing some words as written by the author and claiming the work as his or her
own, i.e., plagiarism.
Looking onto another student's paper during a test or quiz.
Having available any study notes or other test aids during a test or quiz without the teacher's permission.
Collaborating on assignments when independent work is expected.
Per Mr. Rossi’s rules, anyone caught violating academic integrity protocols will not be eligible for extra credit at any time
throughout the semester.
GRADE RECOVERY and COURSE EXTENSION:
Students who score 69 or below on the course unit assessment are allowed to retake the assessment. The grade will not exceed a
70 for the unit assessment.
CLASSROOM BLOG:
Throughout the year, students are expected to use the classroom blog daily. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the
blog and come prepared to the next class. All handouts and assignments will be posted daily to the blog.
My blog: mrmarossi.wordpress.com
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Scholars,
As you will notice, I am a very proud Penn State alumnus and Pennsylvania native. My experience at this university was
exceptional and I had the privilege of being taught by some of the best education-based minds in the country. However, I found
myself recently graduated, broke, and without a job not long after receiving my degree. Thanks to the one of the largest financial
crises in United States history, I was adrift in a sea of recent college graduates who could not find a job. I spent weeks at a time
working odd jobs and applying to teaching jobs as far south as Valdosta, attending career fairs, and networking with educators
from around the country. This amounted to nothing. In a last ditch effort I packed what meager belongings I had, hopped in a twobit Volkswagen, and drove the 12 hours from Pennsylvania to Atlanta, Georgia in the hopes that I could become a teacher in a
Southern state. I often reflect on the time and effort I spent applying to jobs, driving back and forth from other states, and
thinking, “am I really not going to become a teacher?”
My best hypothesis is that I applied to 1500-1800 individual schools in a 6 month period. In the end, only one called back:
Pebblebrook High School. What this story is meant to explain is that I pride myself in being a Pebblebrook Falcon. This school
offered me the opportunity to work my dream job with amazing young people. Without this school, I may have never struck out
on my own. It is my hope that I provide you with the highest quality education so that you may one day experience the reality of
being a college graduate with no money and a ton of hope. If you put your education first and apply yourself during our time
together, I guarantee that we can set you on a path towards graduation and eventually, a career. I look forward to working with
you.
Coach Rossi
SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Spring 2016
TEACHER: Mr. Rossi
COURSE: Ninth Literature and Music Leadership 101
Student’s Acknowledgements:
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I have read and I understand the academic integrity policy.
I have reviewed the class syllabus and understand the grading policy.
I understand that it is my responsibility to get the required books for this class.
I understand that I need a binder and other materials for this class.
I understand that I need to keep up with my grade on Synergy.
I understand that I need to check the blog each night.
Student’s Name:_____________________________
(Please Print)
Date:________________
Student’s Signature:__________________________
Student’s Email___________________
Parent/Guardian’s Acknowledgements:
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I have read and I understand the academic integrity policy.
I have reviewed the class syllabus and understand the grading policy.
I give permission for my child to view the listed movies that are related to the curriculum of the class.
I give permission for my child to read the required texts noted in the syllabus.
I am willing to be contacted by e-mail, phone, and regular mail regarding my child’s progress.
I have access to the Internet and will access the classroom blog and the Pinnacle parent feature to check on my
child’s progress.
I give my written permission to allow my student to utilize a Gmail account in order to complete classwork and
communicate with their instructor.
Parent/Guardian’s Name:_____________________________
(Please Print)
Date:________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature:__________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Email:________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Phone Number:_____________________
(Home)
_____________________
(Work)
Any Comments:
RETURN THIS FORM WITH BOTH SIGNATURES BY Monday, August 10th, 2015.