1. Welcome to Sophomore English! Lauren McNeil, D-10
University of California, Santa Barbara
B.A. in English with Honors, minor in Spanish
M.A.Ed. & teaching credential in English
San Jose State University
Mom to super cute 22-month-old son Declan!
11th year at FHS
Pleased and honored to be working with your students this year!

2. Open Lines of Communication
Preferred contact method
Phone: (925) ext. 5810
Website (calendar, notes, handouts, reading recommendations, suggested course materials, classroom wish list, etc.)
Accessible through FHS website
Conferences by appointment
Office Hours 5th period
For academic questions/concerns, student-teacher contact prior to parent-teacher contact; student support available by appointment

3. Curriculum Common Core/Standards-aligned
SAT/contextual vocabulary quizzes & SSR (Sustained, Silent Reading of self-selected, parent-approved books) on Fridays
New “consumable” textbooks!

4. Planned Texts William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Elie Wiesel’s novel Night
Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird 
Recommended: students purchase their own copies of texts for note-taking
No Fear Shakespeare

5. English Department Common Agreements
Standard grading scale: A=90% and above, B= %, C = %, D= %, F=below 60%
No rounding up
One day per excused absence to make up work
No extra credit assignments
No bell curve grading
No points for non-academics
Major pre-announced assignments (e.g. projects) accepted late
To pass: submit all major writing assignments
Standards-based, weighted grading system:
Listening, Speaking, & Participation=20%
Reading=35%
Writing=45%

6. More on Grading & Assessment
Writing
Primary focus
Writing tools, essay structure, & critical thinking
Appropriate help that develops writing skills (students are encouraged to get free help from me!)
In addition to hard copy submissions, turnitin.com final draft electronic soft copy submissions
Frequent participation
Tally of participation vs. average
Q: online grades
Missing “red” assignments that are blank (not scored) in the grade book are excused or have yet to be entered and do not affect the overall grade
Zeroes in grade book until work made up for excused absences

7. Additional Policies
Appointments for quiz/test make-ups upon the day of return from excused absence; make ups within one week’s time
Major assignments due by pre-announced deadline even if excused absence
Technological excuses are not acceptable for late work
No credit for work missed due to unexcused absences
No late work accepted
Exception: major pre-announced assignments 50% point deduction for each day late
FHS policies/rules—including those regarding tardies & cuts, cell phones, academic integrity, & behavior—enforced

8. How You Can Help Time management (see website calendar)
Click “refresh” each time to ensure an updated version of the calendar
Excusing absences within 72 hours
Assignment/grades review
Quiz/test prep, e.g. flashcard practice
Writing skills, e.g. proctor timed essays for practice
Organization
Encourage student-teacher communication
Donations (greatly appreciated!)
Classroom supplies wish list (amazon.com wish list)
English Department donation page for voluntary donations to help procure novels
Thank you for attending! I look forward to a great year with your student!