Real Life Connections Syllabus

First Semester 2015-2016

Dream It, Plan It, Do It

Curriculum:
The Real Life Connections curriculum supports Hillcrest Academy-Norths mission and
academic programs by providing students with the academic, technological, and
personal tools needed for them to take responsibility and accountability for themselves,
their schooling and their future.
Unit Sequence
Core RLC Units

Estimated Duration

Orientation: Revving Up for The New School Year

Eight 80-Minute Sessions

Learn Like A Champion

Twenty-five 80-Minute Sessions

Me, Inc.

Twenty-five 80-Minute Sessions

Personal Learning Plans (PLPs)

Based on assessments, students will be assigned learning plans to address identified areas
for personal skills improvement. These areas will be identified from the Employment Skills
Inventory (ESI), keyboarding skills exam, and students who cannot read or write cursive. These
learning plans will be completed as assigned homework.

Real Life Connections/HAN/HGoodson/ 2015-2016 School Year

Resources
Real examples via videos, news broadcasts, textbooks, guest speakers, and field trips are used in
teaching the content for this curriculum. Students and parents are encouraged to visit the Class
Website regularly for announcements, homework assignments, class events, class assignments and
other important information and documents. This website is not open to public viewing. You and your
parents will receive a password from me to access this Website. Bookmark (or add to Favorites) the
page below the first time you go to it:
www.livingthedreamrlchan.com
In addition to the class Website, I also like to contact parents/guardians on a regular basis about student
progress and classroom participation. Please have your parent/guardian fill out the information on the
last page so that I may contact them as easily as possible.

Course Needs:
Students are responsible for maintaining the following resources in class:
High School and Beyond Binder
Vocab card ring (we will make these in class)
Learning Portfolio
Parent/Guardian Connection Online Newsletter
Service
Connection

Newsletter

Absentee Missing Work Policy:

When a student is absent, an Absent Buddy will complete a While You Were Out form that details
the missed work. The Buddy will also staple any worksheets or handouts to the back. The packet will
then be placed in a designated area. It is the students responsibility, not the teachers, to collect this
work and see that it is handed in. It is also recommended that the student check in with the teacher to
ask any questions about the missed work and make sure that there are no other missing assignments.
Students have one day for every day that they were out plus one extra day to make up the work.
Missed tests and quizzes must be made up within five school days.

Homework Policy:
Homework is an integral part of the curriculum and essential to reinforcing material that was taught in
class. Homework is posted in the classroom and on the class Website. Homework is considered late if
it is incomplete and/or not presented to hand in at the start of class.

Extra Help:
If additional help is needed, students may stay after school on detention days.

Real Life Connections/HAN/HGoodson/ 2015-2016 School Year

Grading Periods and Policy:

Several factors make up the quarterly grade. In addition to class activities, students will have
homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects to complete. Effort and participation are very
important and will be rated regularly. Students are expected to be on time to class and to come
prepared. The marking period dates and breakdown of the grade is as follows:

Marking Period Dates

MP1 09/08/2015 to 11/16/2015
MP2 11/17/2015 to 02/01/2016
MP3 02/02/2016 to 04/15/2015
MP4 04/18/15 to 06/20/16

Grade Calculation
Tests/Projects

30%

Classwork/Quizzes

30%

Preparation/Participation

20%

Homework/Self Management 20%

Final Grade
First Semester

40

Second Semester

40

Final Exam/Project

20%

Each quarter, students will earn a Preparation and Participation grade. Every student automatically
starts with (and hopefully stays at) 100 points. For every day that a student comes to class unprepared,
or does not participate appropriately, they will lose a maximum of two points.

Retake Policy:
If a student has concerns about their grade, they should discuss with the teacher the reason(s) behind
their current average and the necessary steps to take. At teacher discretion, tests or quizzes may be
redone to indicate improved mastery of the subject matter. Only the higher grade will be recorded.
So, if you fail a test or quiz you can retake it for a better grade!
Note: Its much easier to do well on a test or quiz the first time around because in addition to
preparing for a retake, you still need to keep up and do the current work in all of your other classes!

Extra Credit Policy:

There are a myriad of opportunities for students to do well and improve their averages through
homework completion, tests, quizzes, projects, and class participation. Therefore, there will be no
extra credit assignments.

Real Life Connections/HAN/HGoodson/ 2015-2016 School Year

Classroom Rules and Discipline Policy:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

(see comprehensive list post on website and in the classroom)

Be respectful
Be safe
Be on time and come prepared
Do not touch anything that you do not have permission to touch
Listen

Students are expected to behave properly at all times. Failure to do so may result in a verbal warning,
disciplinary referral to the office, and/or parent phone call and or conference.

Contact Information:
Teacher: Mrs. Hermena Goodson
Hillcrest Academy, North Campus
Schools Phone #: 908-233-9366
My E-mail*: hgoodson@ucesc.org
My Class Website: www.livingthedreamrlchan.com

*E-mail is the best way to reach me. I will do my best to return all e-mails within 24 hrs.

Please keep this syllabus for future reference.

Return the last page to Mrs. Goodson.

Real Life Connections/HAN/HGoodson/ 2015-2016 School Year

PLEASE PRINT AS NEATLY AS POSSIBLE

Student Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name #1:_________________________________________________
Home #: _____________________________ E-mail address:________________________

Work #: _____________________________ Cell #: _______________________________

Parent/Guardian Name #2:_____________________________________________________

Home #: _____________________________ E-mail address: _______________________

Work #: _____________________________ Cell #: _______________________________

*Please put a star next to the best way(s) to reach a parent/guardian during the school day.
Is there a computer available at home?
YES

NO

Are you able to log-on to the Internet?

YES

NO

Do you give permission for your childs picture (with no name) to be used on the class website?
YES
NO
Is there anything that would be helpful for me to know?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
I have read this syllabus with my son/daughter and we have discussed and understand all of the policies and
procedures.
_________________________ _________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
_________________________ _________
Student Signature
Date

Real Life Connections/HAN/HGoodson/ 2015-2016 School Year