Dear Parents,
The 2015-16 school year is off to an excellent start! Therefore, my purpose for writing this letter is to provide you with
some insight into your son or daughter’s English 12 course. Below my letter you will find an introductory letter from
Charles Watson, my student teacher from Iowa Wesleyan University. Mr. Watson will be lead teaching for the remainder
of the term under my direction.
English 12 Philosophy:
English 12 is a preparatory course that is majorly significant for your son/daughter’s advancement into the work place or
college. Technical writing, computer proficiency, and interpersonal communication skills will be emphasized.
Interdisciplinary units will go further in depth, investigating the link between literature and historical/social events.
Writing skills are stressed in the development of analytical approaches to understanding the material. The content of the
course will be assessed via standards, all of which tie to the Iowa Core Curriculum and the vision of the Solon
Community School District.
The primary purpose of the standards-based grading system is to inform students and parents of true cognitive growth and
progress in the classroom, as well as providing students with the opportunity to take formative control over their learning.
Through this system, students are allowed to show continual proficiency in their academics rather than having one-anddone assessments.
Grading and Reassessment Policies:
Students will not receive independent grades for each term. Rather, they will receive a semester grade that will be used for
both terms. For example, if Jenny has an A- after our 18-week course is complete, Jenny will receive an A- for both terms.
If Jenny has a D+, she will receive a D+ for both terms.
Semester grades will still be reported
on a standard scale:
100-93% = A
92-90% = A89-87% = B+
86-83% = B
82-80% = B79-77% = C+
76-73% = C
72-70% = C69-67% = D+
66-63% = D
62-60% = D59-0% = F
Final grades for the class will be
computed as follows:
Reading Standards: 25%
Writing Standards: 25%
Speaking Standards: 20%
Grammar: 15%
Final Exam: 10%
Vocabulary: 5%
*Grades for assessments will be administered using the 0-4 grading scale: 0, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, and 4.
Reassessments:
In order to reassess on a standard, your son or daughter must seek out and complete supplementary work. In addition,
he/she must come in on his/her own time, whether that is during seminar or before/after school, to go over the work with
me. If the student demonstrates positive progress with the material, I will provide a reassessment date.
Current English 12 Texts:
I) Albert Camus’ The Stranger
II) Bram Stoker’s Dracula
III) Elie Wiesel’s Night
IV) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
We have completed our reading of Night, and students are now writing a research paper to complete the unit. Midway
through next week, Mr. Watson will begin his unit on The Stranger, which will be accompanied by a speech and literary
analysis essay.
Attendance/Assignments:
The attendance policy will coincide with the student handbook; however, if your son or daughter is absent from class due
to any circumstance, it is his/her responsibility to obtain any missed notes and assignments. Excuses will not be tolerated
for major assignments on due dates; for example, if Johnny knows his research paper is due on Friday but doesn’t make it
to school due to an illness, he still needs to have the assignment e-mailed to me by the time class starts on Friday.
Practice/Homework:
While homework is considered practice and does not directly impact a final grade, I cannot stress enough the significance
of daily practice; whether it is in the realm of academics, athletics, or the workplace, repetition and discipline help us
extend our knowledge and sharpen our skills. On my course web site, I will post daily plans along with practice and
sample work to aid students.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
Both of these are grounds for serious disciplinary action and will not be tolerated. If a student is found to be cheating
and/or plagiarizing, a zero will be issued for the work at hand.
Final Remarks:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the first few weeks with the students, and I feel fortunate to be a part of their educational
journey. As you’re well aware, there are some major decisions to be made this year in regards to your child’s future, and I
am here as a resource to lead him/her toward future goals. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you have
throughout the semester
Sincerely,
Peter Gustin
English Instructor
pgustin@solon.k12.ia.us
To the parents and guardians of Solon High School students:
I’m happy and fortunate to be placed in the school district of Solon for the first eight-week
portion of my student teaching experience. I am native to eastern Iowa, but I lived in
Wisconsin for twenty years before making Iowa City home in 2006. An earned bachelor’s
degree in writing-intensive English from Marquette University in 1992 was the
springboard for a career on the creative end of print media.
This experience set up a return to academics and the pursuance of a teaching certificate
through Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant. Along the way, I have worked
extensively as a substitute teacher in the Iowa City, West Branch, and West Liberty school
districts. My two daughters, both literate before age five, will carry their proficiency into
respective secondary schools this fall. They are a major reason that I have returned to
school to continue the mentorship of literacy and critical thinking: to read is to write.
My interest in the study and crafting of the English language comes through literature,
poetry, journalistic composition, and analysis. Whether old world or postmodern, there are
connections for the individual student through all types of literary study. In my entire
academic life, it was always the English teacher who made the most significant and
memorable impact on who I am, instilling my love for the documented word and its effect
on the individual.
I’m excited to have the opportunity to student teach under the direction of Mr. Gustin and
the staff here at Solon High School, where I can hone my skills and foster student
connections with literature and composition. Go Spartans!
Sincerely,
Mr. Charles Watson