Tates Creek High School

FRESHMAN SEMINAR
2017-2018

The mission of Tates Creek High School is to prepare all Commodores for college and
career success and for service as informed and active citizens with intercultural
understanding and respect.

Instructor: Michael Phelps michael.phelps@fayette.kyschools.us

Class website: michaelphelps.me

Course Goals
Reduce dropout rates for both high school and post-secondary education and training
Increase enrollment rate for college and post-secondary programs
Help students acquire the skills necessary to successfully navigate their life/work
transitions

Academic Expectations
As you expect for me to have lessons planned in accordance with what you need to learn and how
to enhance or reteach what you have learned, I expect for you to do the work. All of the work.
Phrases such as, Is it for a grade? or How bad will it affect my grade if I do not do all of it?
are not accepted. I made the effort to work hard for you, please make the same effort.
WIth that being said, please, Fail with dignity. Listen, some people cheat and they benefit from
it. I will not lie to you. However, for this class, and in my life, I want to respect you and be
respected in return. You can always retake a test, work harder on a paper, or redo an assignment.
You cannot get someones respect back, at least not mine.

Course Description:

This course was designed to successfully transition students from middle school to high
school. Students enrolled in this course will be given strategies for effective time
management, study skills, goal setting, organizational techniques, communication skills,
and technological skills that will aid them on their path to graduation.

Additionally, students will embark on a self-discovery mission to uncover personal

values, goals, and attributes that will shape decisions when choosing a career academy
for the tenth grade. Each student will conduct career and college research to facilitate
their career plan.

Students will fill out applications, create resumes, participate in interviews, and attend a
career fair to allow them to anticipate the requirements and necessities for their success in
their desired field.
 Materials for class:
1 notebook (for bell ringers)
Paper (loose leaf or from a binder)
Pencils (a daily must)
** Any additional materials that may be needed for class projects. ** (Teacher will
notify in advance.)

Evaluation: Education requires the active involvement of those who seek to learn. Such
involvement will be expected and will have the following form:
Reading assignments.
Preparation for and participation in class discussion and activities.
Project Based Learning Projects
Printed documents and reports.

Classroom Goals/Expectations
Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
Place all backpacks, purses, jackets, etc.. on the floor and not on desks.
No food or drinks permitted in the classroom
Come to class prepared and ready to learn.
Take responsibility for makeup work when you are absent
Work cooperatively when asked to do group assignments
Remain quiet and respectful when the teacher or other students addresses the class.
Raise your hand if you have questions, and ask many.
Speak in a respectful manner at all times.
Stan on task, be an independent worker, and do not disturb others around you.
Keep your head up; sleeping in class is never permitted.
Do neat, careful, accurate work on all assignments, papers, and projects
Guidelines for Freshman Seminar Our school believes that we are:
Success Connected
Take Responsibility Responsible
Commit to Learning
Engaged
Honor Self and Others
Serve and Contribute Exceptional
Kind
Grading
Fayette County Public Schools Grading Scale will be used.
A=92-100
B=83-91
C=74-82
D=65-73

Your grade will be averaged as follows:

-Formative (daily in-class work and homework) 50% of total grade
-Summative (tests and projects) 35% of total grade
-Final Exam 15% of total grade

Classroom Procedures

Entering the Classroom:

- Arrive on time and go directly to your assigned seat
- Place your backpack or books and any other items underneath your chair
- Read the board for the daily agenda and assignments.
I expect you to know the posted daily agenda and outcomes.

Opener/Bellringer/Journal: No Talking
- In your assigned seat, you should complete the opening activity
- This is a time for you get organized and focus on the day.
- This will be the first 10 minutes of class.
- Participation in the journal is key!!!

Tardy to Class:
- If you are in the hallway when the bell rings without a note, you are tardy.
- I am not lenient on this, at all, even if you complain.

Cheating:
- If you copy another students work, you and the other student will receive a 0, no
exceptions.
- Plagiarizing by copying and pasting others words into your essay or project will
receive a 0, no exceptions.

Bathroom/Locker/Hallway Passes:
- The 10/10 rule always applies.
- You may ask to leave the room only during appropriate times during class.
- Dont abuse this privilege, 5 minutes or less.

Heading your paper:

- You need to write your FULL name and class block on every paper.

Turning in Assignments:
- All assignments must be turned in on the specified due date. In the classroom, we
turn everything in in the TOP TRAY.
- In the event of an absence, whether it be excused or unexcused, your work is still due
when you return.
- Any late work will be accepted during the current unit (all Unit 1 late work is due no
later than the Unit 1 test).

Finding out Grade Status:

- Refer often to Infinite Campus for your grade status. Make sure your parents have a
login and password.
- I will give you individual grade printouts on a regular basis (hopefully bi-weekly).
- If you still have a question about your grade, you can see me before or after class.

End of Class Dismissal:

- Before dismissal each student must have the area around his/her seat free of trash,
papers, and clean.
- Any supplies borrowed during class need to be returned to their proper locations.
- Wait for the bell to dismiss you, NO LINING UP AT THE DOOR!

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices:

- District guidelines will be followed. See Code of Conduct. Cell phones are to be
turned off and put away between 8:25 and 3:15. Emergency situations must be cleared
through me. We will be using our phones often, but in times that we are not using them
put them away.

Consequences for Rule Violations:

Depending on the violation, the consequence could be a teacher/student conference,

referral, and/or parent/teacher conference. Typically the following guidelines will apply:
o 1st offence- verbal warning
o 2nd offense- verbal warning, hallway conference, phone call home
o 3rd offense administrative referral

Please return to your Freshman Seminar teacher.

Mr. Phelps has given me a copy of my syllabus for Freshman Seminar for the 2017-2018
school year. I have discussed this document with my parent/guardian. I understand and
agree with the rules and procedures. I also understand that a copy of this document must
be placed in my binder.

__________________________________________ ____________
Student Signature Date

__________________________________________ ____________
Parent Signature Date