Approved by: ________________(JFKHS Principal Dr. B.

Adamos) Date: ______

English 10 Honors (LA201H)

SY 15-16 Syllabus
Mrs. C. Mallari
Room B201 (Periods 1-3,5-6)
John F. Kennedy High School: 642-2100
cbmallari@gdoe.net
The Mission of John F. Kennedy High School is to develop our island students to become
globally-primed high achievers.
EXPECTED SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING RESULTS

At John F. Kennedy High School, students are expected to be

Responsible Citizens, Problem Solvers, Effective Communicators, and Technologically
Literate.
Course Description & Outline as established by GDOE
Fall semester introduces advanced library use including the use of outside resources such
as Internet, newspaper, media, guest speakers, note-taking and outlining skills. Students will
develop efforts in writing more sophisticated paragraphs and sentences than in English 9.
Through the writing process, both basic and creative writing will be encouraged. Work will also
be devoted to increasing reading comprehension skills. Three genres, the short story, the novel,
and nonfiction, will be introduced and investigated. Independent book reports will be required
each semester. Various types of speeches will be introduced. Vocabulary development will begin
in the first semester and continue throughout the year. Poetry and Drama may be introduced
during the second semester. During this semester, students will continue speech and vocabulary
activities. Basic compositions and poetry writing along with a continual improvement in
grammar skills are expected throughout the year.
In addition to the requirements of LA201, this course is designed for 10th grade students
who plan to attend college or who desire a strong background in English. The emphasis is on the
development of more advanced oral and written communication skills. Literacy study is focused
on world literature, especially the literature of Western culture. Research and language arts skills
and vocabulary development are emphasized throughout the course. The careful reading and
analysis of varieties of prose and poetry are included. A research paper is required.
In addition to ongoing work to incorporate the Common Core State Standards, the following
GDOE Course Content Standards will also be addressed throughout the school year:
Standard 1LA/R: Word Analysis, Fluency, and Vocabulary
Students apply their knowledge of basic word features, context clues, and word
identification strategies to determine meaning, build vocabulary, and achieve fluency.
Standard 2R: Reading Comprehension and Analysis of Nonfiction Texts
Students read a wide range of nonfiction texts to acquire new information, to respond to
the demands of society and the workplace, and to learn about themselves and the world.
Standard 3R: Reading Comprehension and Analysis of Literary Texts
Students read a wide variety of classic and contemporary literature in many genres to
build an understanding of the human experience.

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

Standard 4: Writing Purposes, Processes, and Strategies

Students use a wide range of strategies and resources to gather and synthesize
information and use a variety of writing processes to create and communicate knowledge
with a variety of audiences for different purposes.
Standard 5: Language Structure and Language Conventions
Students apply knowledge of language structure and language conventions to create,
critique, and discuss texts.
Standard 6: Listening and Speaking Skills and Strategies
Students listen critically and adjust their use of spoken language to communicate
effectively with a variety of audiences for different purposes.
Standard 7: Informational Literacy
Students use a variety of technological and informational resources to conduct research
on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, posing and solving problems,
and then communicating the results.
Standard 8: Lifelong Literacy
Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes as
they participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety
of literacy communities.
Materials
Pencils, Black or Blue Pens
Notebook (composition or spiral)
Filler Paper (college-ruled)

Class Textbooks:
Prentice Hall, Literature
Prentice Hall, Writing and Grammar

Highly Encouraged: a professional email address (GMAIL preferred) for future assignment
submissions in lieu of printing hard copies of essays, etc.
Supplemental Readings
In addition to readings from the textbook, further novels will be assigned throughout the course
of the year. Mrs. Mallari anticipates the use of class sets and/or e-books in lieu of requiring
students to purchase class novels. In the case of students individual (out of class) readings,
students will need to provide a home copy. More information will be forthcoming.
Classroom Rules and Consequences: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible
Students should
-respect one anothers space, opinions, and belongings.
-come prepared to learn by completing assignments and readings on time.
-maintain the cleanliness of the classroom and school campus by eating in designated
areas and disposing of trash in proper receptacles.
-NOT chew gum in class.
-avoid bringing electronic devices or other valuables. The school will not take
responsibility for any items stolen, lost, or broken.
-RESPECT the JFKHS campus and all school equipment.
All rules and regulations mentioned in the JFK student handbook apply in this course.

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

Discipline
Minor Offenses as listed in the student handbook will be handled accordingly:
1st offense: Verbal warning.
2nd offense: Verbal warning and written documentation.
3rd offense: Contact parents.
4th offense: Refer student for disciplinary actions.
Major Offenses will not be tolerated and will result in immediate referral to the discipline office.
Citizenship:
Citizenship reflects students conduct and behavior. As a grade it provides additional insight
about the individual student. Moreover, a students citizenship is taken into account when
determining participation in school sports and other activities.
(E) Excellent:
Follows classroom rules and procedures, perfect attendance, shows courtesy to peers and
teacherzero infractions.
(S) Satisfactory:
Follows classroom rules and procedures, satisfactory attendance, shows courtesy to peers
and teacherthree or fewer infractions.
(N) Needs Improvement:
Is displaying a drop in academic and behavioral goals, referred for absences/tardies.
(U) Unsatisfactory:
Persistent infractions (five or more) of classroom rules, insubordination, or referrals.
Classroom Procedures **Please refer to Student Handbook for more information
Textbooks and/or Workbooks:
Upon availability, books will be issued to students for home use. Students will be
responsible for taking care of the books and returning them at the end of each
quarter. Failure to return an issued book or provide payment for a replacement will
result in an Outstanding Obligation, allowing JFKHS to withhold clearance for
documents such as diplomas, report cards, and transcripts etc. A class set will be
available for students in-class use.
Tardiness:
According to GEPB policy 411, three unexcused tardies within a semester from a course
shall equal one unexcused absence from that course for that semester, and students who
are fifteen (15) or more minutes tardy for a class shall be considered as absent from the
class.
Absences and NC Policy:
As per GEPB policy 411, students cannot receive a passing grade in [a class] if the
number of days of unexcused absences they incur in the course during a
semesterresults in twelve or more percent (12%) of the courses days being missed for
unexcused reasons. After six unexcused absences per class, students will receive a No
Credit for the course if they would otherwise pass the course. If the student earns a
failing grade of 59% or more, that grade will be included in the report card. Per class,
only three excused consecutive absences are allowed before a doctors note is required.
A letter or email will be sent to the parent or guardian on file when a student begins
to accumulate tardies and/or absences.

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

Make-up Work:
Time, during class or during lunch, will be set aside for students to make-up any missed
schoolwork, if absence is excused. It is the students responsibility to check with the
teacher and make any necessary arrangements. Students shall be given a week, at the
teachers discretion, within which make-up work must be completed.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the use of others work (writing, ideas, etc) as ones own or not properly
credited. Plagiarism is a serious offense and is considered Academic Dishonesty.
Suspected incidents of plagiarism will be dealt with according to the severity of the
infraction or the nature of the assignment. Extreme cases can be turned over to the
discipline office.
Service Learning:
Public law 30-53 requires each student to acquire 75 hours throughout their high school
years. Students will be given projects and activities throughout the school year to receive
as many as 5 planned service hours in class.
Weekly Parent Communication:
Regular parent communication will be conducted through daily agendas copied into
students planners. In addition to email (cbmallari@gdoe.net), parent communication can
also be conducted through messages left in students planners. It is expected that parents
check their childs agendas weekly to be updated with classroom events and activities.
The teacher will check for signed/initialed agendas at the start of each week. This will
count toward 5% of the students grade.
Progress Reports and Report Cards:
Parents and students can log in to PowerSchool to check students progress and current
grades. Parents can also email me at cbmallari@gdoe.net for any concerns or questions.
If a student is over 18 or turns 18 during the course of the school year, Mrs. Mallari will
continue to provide pertinent information to parents and those agencies listed in the
demographic directory unless specifically notified by the adult student.
Interventions
In the event that students are at risk of earning a No Credit due to excessive absences, an
Unsatisfactory citizenship grade due to poor behavior, and/or a failing grade due to low scores,
parents will be notified via phone call, email, and/or through regular PowerSchool updates.
Counselors and other school personnel can also be consulted to help advise and support students
as needed.
Grading
Weekly Parent Communication (Planners) 5%
Class/Homework, Journals
10%
Quizzes
20%
Tests
30%
Projects, Research Papers
35%
Total 100%

As a student in an Honors course, you will

earn an additional 10% to your final semester
grade. As such, 70% at the end of the
semester will be considered the minimum
grade to pass the course and earn credit.

The teacher reserves the right to make changes to this

syllabus as needed. Advance notice of any changes
will be provided as necessary.

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 PARENT-STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT

(Teachers Copy Please return by September 11, 2015)
I have read carefully through this syllabus and have asked Mrs. Mallari to clarify any section I do
not understand. I am aware of the expectations of being in English 10, what materials I am
expected to bring, and how I am going to be evaluated. I also understand the rules and
regulations, and the corresponding consequences of each offense. I understand that if I turn 18
during the course of the school year, Mrs. Mallari will continue provide pertinent information to
parents and those agencies listed in the demographic directory unless I notify her of my
preference otherwise.
____________________
Student Name

____________________
Signature

_________
Date

I, as a parent/guardian, know what is expected from my child and understand the criteria used for
grading. I know that I should expect to see my childs planner with daily agendas copied each
week and that my weekly acknowledgement influences 5% of my childs grade.
Please use the following contact preferences to share any information pertaining to my child:
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Work Phone
Email

____________________
Parent or Guardian

____________________
Signature

_________
Date

For Teacher Use:

Parent Contact #1
Parent Contact #2
Name:
Date:
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:
Notes:

Parent Contact #3
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #4
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

For Teacher Use:

Parent Contact #5
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #6
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #7
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #8
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #9
Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #10

Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #11

Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #12

Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #13

Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Parent Contact #14

Name:
Date:
Topic: Academics/Attendance/Other: _______
Notes:

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16

Mrs. Mallaris English 10 Honors Syllabus SY 15-16