Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Course Syllabus

Course Title: English II

Teacher: Ms. Gonzalez
Email: egonzalez@fjuhsd.org
I will try to respond within 24 hours during the week, but may not check as frequently on
weekends.

Course Description:
In this class, students will engage with material that cultivates their reading, writing, speaking
and listening skills. They will read fictional and nonfictional texts, including poetry, short
stories, plays and novels. They will routinely practice and cultivate their grammar skills.
Furthermore, they will participate in quick write activities, creative projects, whole class
discussions, essays, and individual graphic organizers all aimed at getting them to engage with
the material in understandable and exciting ways. All content will be adjusted to fit the learning
styles and abilities of students.

About the Teacher:

My name is Ms. Gonzalez and I am very excited to be your English teacher! I earned both my
Bachelor of Arts and teaching credential through California State University of Fullerton. I have
tutored independently and for private institutions for many years before becoming a teacher.

Teaching Philosophy:
It is my intention to create a comfortable, welcoming environment where students feel
comfortable to express their ideas and learn new perspectives. My goal is to help students
develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in order for them to become better
critical thinkers and analyzers. I believe that you teach the kids in front of you. This means that I
will work to adapt my teaching to the learning styles and language proficiencies of my students
rather than expect them conform to one way of teaching. Above all, my intention is to create a
safe space for students to express themselves freely, learn deeply, and become better version of
themselves.

Grading Policies:
Grades will be divided into the four language categories of reading, writing, speaking and
listening. Reading and writing will be worth 35% each, speaking and listening will be worth 15%
each. Within these categories, there will be quick writes, worksheets, graphic organizers, notes,
quizzes, tests, essays, and projects added based on language skills used. Students will know
which category assignments will go under in the gradebook.

Grades will follow a traditional scale:

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Classwork and homework passed back with a 0 means the student put in effort, but did not meet
all requirements. These students can complete or redo work for full credit. They must come to
me during tutorial, break, or lunch to show me their completed work. Students who do not turn in
assignments must personally speak with me to arrange a makeup schedule. Students who wish to
get a better grade on a test will take another version once they come in and speak to me directly.
Students who repeatedly miss assignments or receive zeros without making up the work will be
have a one-on-one teacher conference and be given mandatory tutoring hours to complete their
makeup work.

Academic Dishonesty:
Academic honesty requires that students take responsibility for producing work that is reflective
of the student’s best effort. Academic dishonesty is evidenced by cheating or plagiarism and
involves any attempt by a student to show possession of knowledge and skills that he or she does
not possess. Academic dishonesty includes cheating (e.g., using assistive materials not permitted
by teacher during tests, looking at another student’s test or answers, and/or copying or allowing
another student to copy from one’s own test or other course work) and plagiarism (e.g., taking or
copying another person’s entire work or paraphrasing it without offering it as one’s own work
without proper credit, citation, quotations and/or footnotes).

Consequences
First-time offenders will be referred to the assistant principal, given an automatic zero on the
assignment, have their parents contacted, and serve a four-hour Saturday School, and may
receive a “U” in citizenship for the semester grade report and possible restriction from
participation in school activities upon review. A second offense is one that is committed in any
class during any school year. Repeating offenders may include any previously stated
consequences as well as a one-day suspension from school. A third offense will result in
additional days of suspension and possible removal from the class with a grade of “F.”

Class Expectations:
Be Respectful
Keep your hands to yourself, speak in a considerate manner, and listen when someone
else (especially your teacher) is speaking.
Work Hard
Bring required materials to class, be ready to learn, and participate in class. Try your best
on your assignments, answer questions even if you think you may be
wrong, and show that you care about your grades
Ask Questions
Questions help you, your peers, and even your teacher learn!

Students who follow the class rules and expectations may listen to music during independent
work times and will be eligible to receive extra participation points.

Students will receive a verbal warning if they are behaving in an inappropriate, unacceptable, or
disruptive way. Students who continue with their behavior will have their name written on the
board, which means they will stay in 10 minutes during break or lunch. Students who still
continue with unacceptable or disruptive behavior will receive a check by their name. This check
signifies that students will receive a 30-minute to 1-hour detention depending on the type of
infraction. Students who still continue to behave unacceptably will be referred to the assistant
principal.

Social Expectations:
Students are expected to be respectful to their fellow students their teacher in any social
interaction, whether it be partner or group work or a casual conversation. This includes speaking
in a respectful tone and without using offense language when sharing answers or presenting,
listening when someone else is speaking, and refraining from making any rude or crude
exclamations during class. The classroom is a safe space for everyone’s ideas to be expressed
and respected.

Teacher Intervention:
Students will receive a one-on-one conference with the teacher for the following reasons:
 They are consistently missing assignments or not redoing assignments for full credit
 They are verbally disrespectful to their students, teachers, or administrators
 They are consistently behaving in other ways that go against both the class and school
rules and expectations
One-on-one conferences are meant to be a safe space to share between teacher and students.
Students are encouraged to be honest about the root of their behavior. During these conferences,
the teacher is there to listen, understand, and offer support in any way the student needs.

Attendance Policies:
Students will adhere to the school’s policies for absences and tardies. The policies are provided
here for your convenience:
ATTENDANCE
Prompt and daily attendance at school has a direct bearing on academic success. Students are
expected to attend all classes for which they are registered every day that classes are in session.
Parents are expected to ensure that students attend school and are on time to school each day. For
all day absences, parents/guardians are to call the 24-hour attendance line (562) 266-2047 each
day of their student’s absence, OR the student may bring a signed note (not email) to the
attendance office from his/her parent/guardian giving the reason and the specific dates of
absence upon returning to school.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES
 Absences which have not been cleared within three (3) days = Truancy
 Three (3) unexcused absences or five (5) tardies in a Raider Revolution cycle = Tutorial
assigned
 Tardies beyond thirty (30) minutes = Absence
 Leaving campus without an Off Campus Transfer Slip (including during break or passing
periods) = Truancy
 (Check in and check out with the Attendance Office. No exceptions.)

The California Department of Education’s List of allowable excuses for absences/tardies:

 Illness
 Quarantine
 Medical, dental, optometric, chiropractic appointments
 Funeral services for immediate family members
  Jury duty
 Court appearance
 Religious holiday or ceremony
 Religious retreat (4 hours per semester)
 When the student is the custodial parent of a child who has a medical appointment during
school hours
PUNCTUALITY
All students are expected to be in their scheduled class each period by the time the tardy bell
rings. No students are to be in the hallways after the tardy bell rings, including those who have
athletics sixth period or who have an unscheduled period at any time during the day. Students are
also not to be sent on errands without an appropriate pass from the teacher. Students without
passes will be sent back to class.

Consequences for Periods 0 - 6 Tardies

 3rd Tardy Teacher issued consequence
 6th Tardy Teacher refers student to administration for a 2-hour Saturday School
 9th Tardy Teacher refers student to administration for a 4-hour Saturday School
 12th Tardy Teacher refers student to administration for a 4-hour Saturday School and
possible attendance contract is issued

Routines and Procedures:

Returning Work
Work will be collected either directly in class or online through Google classroom. Work
collected in class will be placed in the class period’s designated tray after being given a
sticker for completion. Work will be passed back every Wednesday and Friday, if
applicable. All work with a sticker will be collected at the end of each unit and added to the
gradebook. Work collected online will be graded, returned through Google classroom, and
added directly into the gradebook from there.

Missing or Late Work

Students will always have the option to redo or makeup missing work. Students must speak
directly to the teacher to show redone work or arrange a makeup schedule to complete
missing assignments. Students will fill out a short questionnaire about the reasons for their
late work or missing assignments.

Asking for Help:

Students will always have time in class to ask for help. I am also available during tutorial, break,
and lunch to assist them. Students who wish to meet after school must make an appointment in
advance.

Students should feel free to ask questions during any point of a lesson. The only time I ask
students to delay asking for assistance is after graded work has been handed back to them. For
smaller assignments (e.g., quizzes, quick writes, worksheets, etc.), students must come in at a
time separate from their class period to speak with me. For larger assignments (e.g., tests, essays,
and projects), students must wait at least 24 hours before contesting their grade.
Student and Parent/Guardian Agreement:

Parents and guardians are able to contact me with questions or concerns through email. My
school email, which I check daily, is egonzalez@fjuhsd.org. Please take down this email address
for future use. I will try to respond within 24 hours during the week, but may not check as
frequently on weekends.

I want all parents and guardians to feel comfortable communicating with me. Whether that is by
phone, email, or a face-to-face appointment. I am always open to all questions, comments, or
concerns.

Please come to Back to School Night or email me to introduce yourself, because I would love to
meet you! I want to see who my students have in their corner, and I want to have open
communication with their support team.

Please sign and return this sheet to me as proof that you have read the syllabus as
understand all rules, policies, and expectations.

_______________________________________
Student Name (Print)

_______________________________________ ________________
Student Signature Date

_______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

_______________________________________ ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date