This document outlines the guidelines for a summer 2013 English course that runs from July 8th to July 26th in two sessions. It provides information on contact details for the teacher, make-up work policies, progress reports, use of electronic devices, class preparation expectations, the plagiarism policy, expected student behavior, and grading guidelines. Students will be evaluated based on tests (40%), quizzes (20%), classwork and homework (20%), and class participation (20%).

1. Summer 2013 English Course Guidelines
Session 1: July 8th – July 26th from 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Session 2: July 8th-July 26th from 11:20 am-2:20 pm
Integrity, both academic and personal, is the key to success. The bottom line is that
you must come to school, do your work, and respect your fellow students and me, or you
most likely will not be successful.
1. Contact information
The easiest and most reliable way to contact me is through email at
cpeterson@shawsheen.tec.ma.us.
The teacher will also maintain a class website at the address
https://sites.google.com/site/summerenglish2013mspeterson/. Students can view
copies of handouts/assignments, PowerPoint slides and notes, and homework
assignments on this site.
2. Make-up Work
All work must be turned in on the day it is due. Late work can be turned in up to two
days after the original due date for a maximum score of 50%. After two days, you
will receive a zero for the assignment. This policy also applies to essays that are
not printed out and ready to turn in at the beginning of class.
Forgetfulness and busyness will not be considered valid excuses for missed work.
3. Progress Reports
Progress reports will be issued at the approximate mid-point of the session, detailing
your status in my class.
If you would like to receive reports via email, please email me to let me know.
Again, students, parents, and guardians should feel free to contact me at any time for an
update on a student’s progress.
4. Use of Electronic Devices
According to the student handbook, the use of electronic devices during classes is
prohibited.
Students will not be allowed to use or respond to cellular phones, text messages or
other electronic communication during class.
If a student is found using a cell phone in class, he or she will lose all participation
points for that day.
5. Preparation for Class
Students must have
a pen/pencil,
their English notebook,
and whatever text we are reading in class.
Failure to comply with these expectations may negatively affect your behavior and
participation grade.

2. Summer 2013 English Course Guidelines
Session 1: July 8th – July 26th from 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Session 2: July 8th-July 26th from 11:20 am-2:20 pm
6. Plagiarism Policy
In an academic setting, plagiarism includes the following:
Submitting any assignment as your own when it was created by another.
Verbatim copying of portions of another’s writing without enclosing the copied passage
in quotation marks and acknowledging the source.
Using a unique term or concept from a reading, without acknowledging its author or
source.
Paraphrasing or restating someone else’s ideas without the source.
If caught plagiarizing:
Students may receive a grade of zero for the entire assignment and a deficiency report.
Students may be at risk of failing the entire session of English.
Parents/Guardians will be notified of any negative consequences due to plagiarism.
7. Expected Behavior
Students will adhere to all rules outlined in the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
Handbook, which can be found online and in the office.
Any insubordinate, physically aggressive, disrespectful, destructive or defacing
behavior will not be tolerated. Discipline will be immediate.
Inappropriate behavior, infractions of classroom policies, and lateness to class will be
noted without constant reminders. Points will be deducted from a student’s average
under the category of Class Participation/Attitude/Behavior.
All student work passed in to me is considered a private interaction between the
student and teacher unless a situation is determined to be dangerous. There will be
times when lessons require that students share their work with each other. No student
will be penalized for refusing to share his or her work, but extra-credit may be given to
those who choose to participate. At some points, a lesson will call for constructive
criticism from your classmates. Under these circumstances, respect is of the highest
importance. Absolutely no ridicule or insults will be tolerated.
8. Grading Guidelines
Final grades are determined as follows:
Tests: 40%
Include:
Essays
Projects
Quizzes: 20%
Occur daily and will include:
Vocabulary
Grammar
Review of the reading material
Classwork/Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 20%
Daily Participation (Scored from 0 – 10)
Attitude & Behavior
Preparedness for Class
Total Possible: 100%

3. Summer 2013 English Course Guidelines
Session 1: July 8th – July 26th from 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Session 2: July 8th-July 26th from 11:20 am-2:20 pm
Please sign and return by July 10th Summer 2013
I, _____________________________, have read this syllabus and discussed its contents with my
child ______________________________. We understand all the classroom procedures above, and
agree to abide by them for the benefit of all students.
Signatures: Parent/Guardian
Student