Morality/Christian Vocations: Mr. A. Mendoza

✚ JMJ Mary Star of the Sea High School Morality/Christian Vocations: Mr. A. Mendoza Course Policy Statement-School Year 2017-18

Course Overview: This two-semester course focuses on discernment and decision-making using the Ten Commandments and virtues as guidelines. Students will analyze and discuss hypothetical moral dilemmas that will raise their understanding of their own ethical development and the world around them. Subsequently, specific lifestyles will be examined in order to encourage students to reflect upon the several vocations available to them: the single life, marriage, religious life and the priesthood. This course fulfills the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ requirements for Christian Morality, Social Justice and Christian Lifestyles. This course has been found in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the USCCB High School Doctrinal Framework Secondary Level Protocol.

Course Requirements: Students are asked to participate in the different activities and assessments for successful completion of this course. Students will be expected to keep up with regular reading assignments, maintain a class notebook for the entire term, and complete the varying assignments and assessments that are part of the course. Written work should be submitted reflecting high-school level writing skills. All research assignments must be submitted through turnitin.com. Each student is expected to bring the following materials every day to class:  Textbooks- Our Moral Life in Christ (2009) (Class textbook will change at the end of the semester)  Catholic Youth Bible-brought to class when requested  Class notebook: either spiral notebook (100+ pages) or three-ring with loose-leaf paper  Folders or pockets (two) for handouts and returned work  Blue or black ink pen (no pencil for this course)  Highlighter or set of highlighters  Set of thin markers or color pencils (optional)

Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs): In this course, the school's ESLRs will be addressed through attention to the goals of Catholicism, Curriculum, Character and Community as stated in the Mary Star of the Sea High School Mission Statement. Some of the areas specific to this class are to:  Know and love Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith  Participate in the life of the Church through prayer, worship and the sacramental life.  Live their faith through Christ-like charity and service  Make moral decisions in accord with the teachings of the Church.  Respect themselves and others.  Analyze critically, evaluate thoughtfully, and communicate effectively.  Respect authority in the family, Church and society.  Act as faithful stewards of God's creation. Attendance: Per the Mary Star of the Sea High School Student-Parent Handbook (page 28), all school policies regarding excused/unexcused tardies and absences will be enforced. Students are expected to attend class daily, arriving on time for each period. Students not seated in their assigned seats when the final late bell rings are considered late and will be sent to the Attendance Office for an unexcused tardy admit.

Grading: Students’ grades will be computed in compliance with the Mary Star of the Sea High School grading scale (see Student-Parent Handbook p.30), based on the student’s percentage of total points received during the grading period. The semester grade will be inclusive of all points accumulated during the semester as well as the final semester exam, which will be comprehensive.

Students will receive points for the following types of assignments:  Homework and/or written assignments (see below for how homework will be collected)  Research assignments (submitted through turnitin.com)  Individual and/or group projects and presentations  Quizzes, which may be unannounced  Chapter (one or two) and unit tests

 Semester final exams (cumulative for the semester)

The approximate breakdown for the semester grade is as follows: Tests and quizzes 30% Classwork and homework 15% Research assignments, essays and group projects 35% Participation 10% Semester exam (not to exceed 20% per school policy) 10 %

Tests: Students will be tested generally at the end of one to two chapters and/or unit of study. Tests are announced at least four days in advance and will be comprised of questions that involve concepts, course vocabulary, teachings and discussion-driven findings. Tests may be taken in the form of multiple-choice tests as well as tests where short-answer and essay responses are required.

Students who miss a test due to an excused absence are expected to make up the test within a three-day window. Test make-up should be arranged with the teacher and can be done before and after school. Only due to extended illnesses, special schedules with short periods or special class activities will other arrangements be made for the student to take the test as soon as appropriate. Any student who misses an announced test due to an unexcused absence will not be permitted to make up the test and will receive no credit.

Homework, Other Written assignments, and Long-Term Assignment Policies:  All work must be in compliance with Standards for Written Work as presented in the Student-Parent Handbook (page 31).  All homework assignments are due when they are collected in class. Homework turned in late will be given a maximum of 50% credit. Students can expect to average 1-3 homework assignments per week. Homework assignments are always found on the homework section of the class web page. Credit for homework is given on a homework check sheet in groups of five. Students have until the homework check sheet is collected to make up homework.  For all other written work such as study guides and worksheets late work is defined as work turned in at any time after the assignment is initially collected, and will be deducted up to 20% off the grade issued. No late work will be accepted for full credit except in the case of a verified excused absence (as described in the Student-Parent Handbook page 28). All late work must be submitted no less than one week before the end of the quarter.  Long-term assignments are assignments that are usually given over one week’s time or longer to complete. They may include short essay, research projects, etc. that require significant time to complete outside of class and may require several drafts, parts or sections, after school conferencing/tutoring or ongoing work. Long-term assignments due on the specified date unless the student has a verified excused absence. The same late work policy applies to these types of assignments as other written work.  Inferior work or work which does not comply with appropriate standards will receive lesser credit, whether turned in on time or late. Resubmission will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the request of the student.  An academic detention may be assigned when work is not completed to the teacher’s satisfaction or is not turned in on the assigned due date. It is at the teacher’s discretion to assign an academic detention and work completed due to an academic detention will be graded as late work (Student-parent handbook page 31 and 32).  Assignments required for submission to www.turnitin.com will not be graded until the teacher accesses the turnitin.com originality report AND the student has submitted a “hard copy” of the assignment per directions. A grade of 0 will be given if the assignment is not confirmed as submitted on turnitin.com and/or the student does not provide a copy of the assignment to the teacher.

Participation Points: Students will be given several opportunities every week to earn participation points. This will include individual and group opportunities. It is in each student’s best interest to strive to receive full participation credit each quarter to assist in the successful completion of this course. Tutoring: Per school policy, tutoring is available after school Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 7:55AM and from 2:20-3:00PM. Students in need of tutoring should speak with the teacher as soon as they detect a difficulty in grasping the course material or assignment. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may be contacted and students may be requested by the teacher to attend tutoring regularly. Parents can set up a tutoring schedule with the instructor via e-mail, telephone call to the school, or pre-scheduled conference.

Extra Credit Opportunities: There will be several opportunities for extra credit during the semester by means of service projects, writing campaigns, and school-sanctioned activities. Extra credit will be counted toward the project category and may include a writing/reflection component. Students are strongly encouraged to submit all regular assignments before attempting to earn extra credit.

Use of School Computers and the Internet: Several times during the year the students will access the Internet on the school library computers for research, projects, review, and testing. The school’s guidelines for computer and Internet use will be strictly enforced. Students should regularly check their PowerSchool account to make sure they are up to date with assignments and to be aware of their academic standing in the class (see page 32 of the Student-Parent Handbook).

Students who have not received parent/guardian permission to access the school’s computers or the Internet while at school will be given alternative assignments during the class periods designated for computer access. Those students are responsible for completing each of the computer/Internet projects outside of school time, including appropriate research for group projects.

Academic Integrity and Cheating All students are expected to be honest and respectful in regards to the work they turn in and the effort they give in class. Students who are involved in cheating, lying, plagiarism, or doing another’s work will be reprimanded according to the cheating policy described on page 32 of the parent-student handbook.

Contacting the teacher Students who need to schedule a meeting with the teacher should do so before or after school. Parents who wish to contact the teacher should send e-mail correspondence to [email protected] or may leave a voicemail at (800) 991-5907 x04.

Please keep a copy of the course policy statement for reference throughout the year. It is also available for download on the school web site www.marystarhigh.com Mary Star of the Sea High School The Church, Our Story & Meeting Jesus in the Sacraments: Mr. A. Mendoza Course Policy Statement-School Year 2017-18

STUDENT/PARENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We have thoroughly read the class policy statement. We understand the information that is presented and will follow all policies as stated.

Student name: Student Signature: Date:

Parent name: Parent Signature: Date:

Preferred method of contact (circle which): e-mail or phone

E-mail address:

Phone number:

Please sign and return this paper to Mr. Mendoza by the end of August. Let’s have a great year!