MR. MCCULLOUGH'S SUCCESS CLASS:
The transition from elementary school to intermediate school can be challenging. Students have to adjust from having one teacher (elementary school) to having seven teachers. This change can increase their homework load. In an effort to help each student transition, Mr. McCullough's Success class will be focused on homework completion, organization (planner & binder), & public speaking.
The students are arranged in study/work groups so they can work together if they choose. Each group has two of the top 10 students in the class (grade point average) that can answer questions and offer peer tutoring.
Students are also encouraged to ask the teacher if their table group or other table groups can't help. Students are encouraged to work on homework/study in the classes that are the most challenging for them. Students are allowed to complete homework, study, or read.
The transition from elementary school to intermediate school can be challenging. Students have to adjust from having one teacher (elementary school) to having seven teachers. This change can increase their homework load. In an effort to help each student transition, Mr. McCullough's Success class will be focused on homework completion, organization (planner & binder), & public speaking.
The students are arranged in study/work groups so they can work together if they choose. Each group has two of the top 10 students in the class (grade point average) that can answer questions and offer peer tutoring.
Students are also encouraged to ask the teacher if their table group or other table groups can't help. Students are encouraged to work on homework/study in the classes that are the most challenging for them. Students are allowed to complete homework, study, or read.
PLANNER:
The student planner is the most important tool the student has to stay organized and prepared for their daily work etc. Their grade is primarily based upon their proper use of their planner. 100 points are awarded each week the planner is filled out correctly.
*2 pts. for each box filled out correctly "C:" for classwork & "H:" for homework.
*8 pts. for each parent signature (first and last name) in pen written above solid red line at bottom of planner (directly above the clock icons).
* -2 pts. if bottom three tabs are not labeled correctly
(Success, Elective/P.E,. & Comm.)
* - 2pts. if first and last name of student not written under the "This Week" heading on the Mon.-Wed. page at top of planner page.
If a student is absent on Monday, they need to initiate their planner being checked the following day. Students that do the above will not earn a point penalty.
10 point penalty for being late. If a student doesn't have their planner on Monday despite it being a requirement (students should have their planner every day), they can have it checked the following day or any day until that Friday but the penalty will remain at 10 points.
The student planner is the most important tool the student has to stay organized and prepared for their daily work etc. Their grade is primarily based upon their proper use of their planner. 100 points are awarded each week the planner is filled out correctly.
*2 pts. for each box filled out correctly "C:" for classwork & "H:" for homework.
*8 pts. for each parent signature (first and last name) in pen written above solid red line at bottom of planner (directly above the clock icons).
* -2 pts. if bottom three tabs are not labeled correctly
(Success, Elective/P.E,. & Comm.)
* - 2pts. if first and last name of student not written under the "This Week" heading on the Mon.-Wed. page at top of planner page.
If a student is absent on Monday, they need to initiate their planner being checked the following day. Students that do the above will not earn a point penalty.
10 point penalty for being late. If a student doesn't have their planner on Monday despite it being a requirement (students should have their planner every day), they can have it checked the following day or any day until that Friday but the penalty will remain at 10 points.
SATURDAY SCHOOL:
If a student is missing assignments or has unexcused absences, parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for Saturday School.
Each week a Saturday school is available, all students are expected to write a note for their parents (in their planner) to indicate whether the parent wants to sign them up for Saturday school or not (located on top of the Mon.-Wed. page). If the parent completes the invite and writes their full signature, the student earns 10 points. If this is turned in late the student can earn 5 pts. If the invite is not completed the student will earn a zero.
The note will read:
"Please ( sign up / do not sign up) my child for Saturday School on (date of Sat. School) ." Parents are responsible to drop off their child at the N.I.S. office by 7:50am and pick them up at 12:15pm. No supervision provided after 12:30pm.
Extra Credit for Attending Saturday School:
If a student attends Saturday School and has the supervising Sat. School teacher write a small note in the communication section of that week verifying the student attended
the student can convert all zero ZAP scores prior to the date of the Sat. School (for the current quarter), to 32 points AND can eliminate the ZAP tally if there are no other ZAPS in the planner.
Saturday School Dates:
1st Quarter: TBD
2nd Quarter: TBD
3rd Quarter: TBD
4th Quarter: TBD
If a student is missing assignments or has unexcused absences, parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for Saturday School.
Each week a Saturday school is available, all students are expected to write a note for their parents (in their planner) to indicate whether the parent wants to sign them up for Saturday school or not (located on top of the Mon.-Wed. page). If the parent completes the invite and writes their full signature, the student earns 10 points. If this is turned in late the student can earn 5 pts. If the invite is not completed the student will earn a zero.
The note will read:
"Please ( sign up / do not sign up) my child for Saturday School on (date of Sat. School) ." Parents are responsible to drop off their child at the N.I.S. office by 7:50am and pick them up at 12:15pm. No supervision provided after 12:30pm.
Extra Credit for Attending Saturday School:
If a student attends Saturday School and has the supervising Sat. School teacher write a small note in the communication section of that week verifying the student attended
the student can convert all zero ZAP scores prior to the date of the Sat. School (for the current quarter), to 32 points AND can eliminate the ZAP tally if there are no other ZAPS in the planner.
Saturday School Dates:
1st Quarter: TBD
2nd Quarter: TBD
3rd Quarter: TBD
4th Quarter: TBD
BINDER/BACKPACK CHECK:
Backpacks will be checked once a month on the first Thursday of the month. 10 points for each section/ 40 points total
(Paper) Paper (blank paper) should be secure & in its appropriate section.
(CW) All other papers (Class Work) should be secured & in the appropriate section.
(CO) Five folders or pocket dividers for Class Organization (where each has a pocket in front and back)
for each core class.
(PP) Pencil pouch must fit inside and be attached to the three rings of the the three ring binder. Inside the pouch must be two pencils, if mechanical then extra lead is required too, & one pen.
Scores are written in the Sunday section in their planner for that week
Paper:
CW:
CO:
PP:
Total:
CHECKING GRADES:
Students grades and progress can be found on Parent Connect, which is the system our District uses to give parents access to their child's grades.
https://parentconnect.cnusd.k12.ca.us/
To view your student's assignments:
1) Click on the "Assignments" page on the left of the screen.
2) Make sure the "Show All" box has been clicked so you can view all assignments in the grade book for each class. The "Show All" feature is located in the tan tool bar below the student info., under the parent email, and to the far right.
Additional Grade Check Stapled in Planner:
During the week of the backpack check, a grade report will be stapled into the planner on the Thurs./Friday page. Parents need to sign under the printed name on the grade check with their first and last name. The signature needs to be written by the following Monday, which will be worth 20 points. If a student is absent on the day the grade reports are stapled, they need to retrieve the grade report from the teacher.
If the grade report is not signed by that following Monday the student will not earn 10 points. The student will have one week to get it signed after that, in order to earn 5 points (5 point penalty for being late).
PUBLIC SPEAKING:
Semester 1: As long as student attempts the speech and growth is evident, each student will earn all the points. Time perameters set for each speech and will slowly increase. First speech will be 2 minutes. Despite each student receiving a 100%, each will be evaluated so that they understand where they need to improve. This feedback will prepare them for earning their speech grade in the second semester.
Semester 2: Students will be graded on the following:
A. Volume - 40 pts.
B. Inflection - 20 pts.
C. Eye Contact - 10 pts.
D. Audience Interaction - 10 pts.
E. Stage Movement - 10 pts.
F. Hand Gestures - 10 pts.
Topics:
1. Share something interesting that happened over summer break.
2. Scariest moment of your life?
3. Funniest moment of your life?
4. Saddest moment of your life?
5. Most painful moment of your life?
6. Who inspires you (provide 3 main reasons)?
7. If you were the principal what three things would you fix and how?
8. If you were president what three things would you fix and how?
9. Favorite teacher (provide 3 reasons)?
10. What do you want to do for a career (3 reasons)?
11. Ask a relative to share one of the above and retell the story.
12. Make up a story!
Semester 1: As long as student attempts the speech and growth is evident, each student will earn all the points. Time perameters set for each speech and will slowly increase. First speech will be 2 minutes. Despite each student receiving a 100%, each will be evaluated so that they understand where they need to improve. This feedback will prepare them for earning their speech grade in the second semester.
Semester 2: Students will be graded on the following:
A. Volume - 40 pts.
B. Inflection - 20 pts.
C. Eye Contact - 10 pts.
D. Audience Interaction - 10 pts.
E. Stage Movement - 10 pts.
F. Hand Gestures - 10 pts.
Topics:
1. Share something interesting that happened over summer break.
2. Scariest moment of your life?
3. Funniest moment of your life?
4. Saddest moment of your life?
5. Most painful moment of your life?
6. Who inspires you (provide 3 main reasons)?
7. If you were the principal what three things would you fix and how?
8. If you were president what three things would you fix and how?
9. Favorite teacher (provide 3 reasons)?
10. What do you want to do for a career (3 reasons)?
11. Ask a relative to share one of the above and retell the story.
12. Make up a story!
PROGRESS REPORTS:
If a parent can't log in to Parent Connect on Q then they can request their child's current grade to be written in their child's planner as long as the student presents their planner at the beginning of class. When the district mandated progress reports are sent, ALL students are in danger of failing (IDF) because half of the total points are still left to earn. This means that if there are 100 points in the quarter and the student has earned 50 points at the halfway mark, the student has a 100% A+. If that same student stopped working and failed to earn any more points, they would earn 50/100 at the end of the same quarter, which is a 50% F. ALL students will be given an IDF at the time of the progress reports AND their current grade will be sent to communicate their progress. If a student continues to work in class, collaborate, and complete their planners then they will end up with a good grade. There is no reason why all students shouldn't earn an A in the class with all the different opportunities to improve their grade and have success.
If a parent can't log in to Parent Connect on Q then they can request their child's current grade to be written in their child's planner as long as the student presents their planner at the beginning of class. When the district mandated progress reports are sent, ALL students are in danger of failing (IDF) because half of the total points are still left to earn. This means that if there are 100 points in the quarter and the student has earned 50 points at the halfway mark, the student has a 100% A+. If that same student stopped working and failed to earn any more points, they would earn 50/100 at the end of the same quarter, which is a 50% F. ALL students will be given an IDF at the time of the progress reports AND their current grade will be sent to communicate their progress. If a student continues to work in class, collaborate, and complete their planners then they will end up with a good grade. There is no reason why all students shouldn't earn an A in the class with all the different opportunities to improve their grade and have success.