August 15, 2007
Welcome to the Fall Semester 2007-2008. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in students’ educational goals and to assist them in making certain that all outside reading and homework assignments, note taking activities, test preparation requirements, and individual or group project work is independently completed on time and submitted by the due date. Periodic grade reports will be issued to students who should apprise parents of how they are progressing in their coursework. This periodic assessment can help to identify the emotional and intellectual maturity of the student and signal instructional intervention strategies that may be necessary to avert poor academic performance. Students should expect rigorous studies as they undertake the challenges of demanding Advanced Placement English Language, Honors Ten English and Grade Eleven American Literature and Contemporary Composition curriculums. If parents wish to contact me, I can be reached by e-mail at jcarmicl@lausd.net or on school voice mail, which I check frequently during the semester, at 323-461-3891 Extension 419. Homework and other necessary communication is posted on my web log at hollywoodhighschool.net and is updated frequently.
Late Work Policy
It is the policy of this class that students who are absent and provide an acceptable excuse may make up any assignment or test the day following their return to class; the assignment or test will be scored and returned to students. Students must mark “absent” on the assignment or test. If an assignment or test is not completed on the day following the return to class, the assignment or test will be scored as “credit” only and not receive a letter grade. A “credit” will replace the “0” the test or assignment would have received. That “credit” neither raises nor lowers the students’ overall grade average. Verified truancies and unexcused absences from class are exempted from earning make up work credit; students will receive no credit for any make up work submitted.
Off-track assignments such as AP Long Forms and Dialectical Journals must be submitted on time and will receive a “credit” only and not a letter grade if received past due dates, that is “by the end of the first week of instruction” for the semester.
Academic and Behavior Standards are explained on the reverse side of this letter. This document will be printed and sent home with students the first week of the new semester. Students should review these rules with you, print their names, and ask you to sign and return this document signifying your understanding and acceptance of these classroom directives. If you have questions or concerns, contact me at the voice mail number or e-mail address provided; I will contact you as soon as possible.
Please plan to attend two important school events in the next several weeks. Back-To-School Night and PHBAO Parent Conference Night are both excellent opportunities for you to learn more about what is being taught in the classroom and how your son or daughter is progressing in their coursework.
Respectfully yours,
James B. Carmicle
School For Advanced Studies
Hollywood High School
August 2007
