MRS. KOURTAKIS

1. MRS. KOURTAKIS Class Expectations & Procedures

2. WELCOME!!! I am looking forward to a great semester together! I have been a teacher here at Mott since 2003, teaching Accounting, Web Design, Integrated Technology, Marketing, Drama & Public Speaking! Yes, I pretty much have taught it all!  In order for a productive learning environment to be achieved, it is important for all students & parents to understand my classroom expectations, procedures & rules. These are put in place to ensure a positive, organized, and pleasant learning environment for all.

3. OUR MISSION AT WMHS Warren Mott High School is a teaching and learning community devoted to: • providing the tools to acquire knowledge, • mastering skills for success in a changing world, • encouraging an appreciation of learning for a lifetime.

4. WHAT DO WE VALUE @ WMHS? We Value… We Believe… • Respect for self and others. • Diversity and unity. • New ideas and strategies. • A safe environment. • Active and productive citizens. • Honesty and integrity. • Pride in who we are and what we do. • We are all teachers and learners. • Everyone is accountable. • A nurturing setting is essential for learning. • Learning is exciting. • Self-discipline leads to success. • Everyone is needed and important.

5. DAILY STUDENT MATERIALS • Network Username & Password • Blackboard Username & Password • Student ID - must be around your neck! • Textbook (if applicable) • Writing Utensils • FOLDER – write class name on the front of it • Any rubrics, handouts, information, etc. • Paper, notebook, etc. • Accounting…CALCULATOR! • Materials must be with you each & everyday • Do not ask me to leave the room to get any materials or ask me for your passwords • If I have to ask you to return inappropriate items to your locker or if you don’t have your ID, then you will be marked tardy!

6. HALL PASSES • Passes WILL NOT be given the FIRST or LAST 10 minutes of class. • Do not ask me to leave the room at this time • The beginning of the hour is my time for hall duty, attendance, etc. and it is your time to get seated, begin your warm-up and start the day’s lesson, which can be found @ MRSKOURTAKIS.COM • I don’t start class! Class begins when the bell rings. You should be in your assigned seat working on your daily warm-up. • Anytime you use a pass, you must also use the sign out sheet located by the door! You have to sign your name, where you are going, time out and time back in!

7. HALL PASSES CONT’D You will be given 2 hall passes per quarter • Once they are used, you are not allowed to leave the room • If an “emergency” arises and you don’t have any passes left, then you will owe me that time used • If you LOSE the passes given to you, you will not be given new ones. • These will be highlighted in your AGENDA and must be brought with you everyday. • If you don’t bring them to class, then you will not be allowed to leave the room. Using someone else’s agenda will not be permitted. Any time you leave my room, you’ve used a pass • This includes: bathroom, counselor, water, locker, to see another teacher, etc. For each hall pass not used, you may apply it to an assessment for a “grade raise.” • There are 2 maximum • It is your responsibility to turn them in the last week of the quarter and tell me which assessment's)you would like to apply it to.

8. GRADING • Assessments are worth 75% • Tests/Quizzes • Daily Warm-Up • Other work is worth 25% • Homework • Class work • Projects • All grades will be entered as percentages (%) into the grade book.

9. PARTICIPATION • Bell work is given daily & must be completed within the first 5 minutes of the hour. • Tardy/Unprepared students will lose the opportunity to complete their bell work, therefore losing 5 points each day they are tardy/unprepared. • Absent (verified) students are still required to complete the bell work on the day that they return. This is completely the student’s responsibility & are expected to get from a classmate, not Mrs. Kourtakis! • Bell work is collected at random times through the quarter. This isn’t an assignment that can be made up or accepted as late work.

10. ABSENT? • Absent work must be submitted within 3-days of the posted date in Power School. Assignments after this will not be accepted. • UNV absences will not be tolerated – work will not be accepted. • UNV absences MUST BE verified within 48 hours • Make-up Tests will only be given to students with verified absences, students must arrange to make-up their test during lunchon the day they return. No other arrangements will be made, should you choose not to come during this time, your grade will remain a zero. • All class information is posted on-line, therefore it is expected that students check the lesson plans and complete their work PRIOR to returning from an absence. Also check the absent folder in the student center for any handouts, etc. • Frequent absences WILL affect your grade in a negative way. In order to succeed you must be here daily.

11. LATE WORK Project planning and time management are essential in all professional activity, not just academic coursework. Thus, it is expected that assignments will be submitted by their respective due date. This applies even when an absence occurs. • Late work IS NOT accepted! A grade of 49% & m (missing) will be entered for any class work, homework, and projects not submitted per board policy. This does not apply to any assessments that are taken during the course of the class. WEB 2 & 3 Due to the nature of this project based course: • Web Projects will be dropped one full grade for each day turned in after the deadline.

12. CLASS RULES…. • Be Respectful of all people & all things • Treat each other, staff & equipment with respect & kindness. • Listen while others are talking • Push your chair in as you leave • Clean your area and put everything back in its proper place • Please do not touch anything on my desk • Participate in daily classroom events • Raise your hand to participate • Answer Questions • Be involved • Help others that may need assistance • Bring all appropriate material & leave inappropriate material in your locker • ID (must be visible around your neck) • Folder • Writing Utensil • Please leave phones, backpacks, purses, coats, boomboxes, etc in your locker! • Be Organized • Have all the necessary material • Bring your folder, pen/pencil, paper, etc. • Label all of your work • File maintenance – organize all work on the computer in proper folders • Timeliness • Arrive to class on time & get seated • Leave class from your chair • DO NOT line up at the door.

13. Lab Expectations • Log in as soon as you arrive • Complete daily warm up • Stay on task • No games/opening software • No food/drinks in the lab • Do not download anything • Do not change background settings • Do not E-mail • Unless you are instructed to do so • Ask permission • Tell Mrs. Kourtakis if anything is wrong with your computer • Exit out of programs before logging off @ end of hour. • Respect the classroom & the equipment

14. Prepared writing utensil, assignment, ID, text, all required materials, without bag, electronics, and coat Respectful class appropriate language, volume, and conversation, listening to teacher and peers Involved active member of class, awake, engaged Determined on time, use time wisely, turn work in on time Enthusiastic eager to participate, open to new lessons and ideas, encouraging of others, optimistic and polite 5 class points possible for displaying your daily pride. Class will receive a reward once 100 points are attained. Show Daily Class Pride

15. To Reinforce Positive Behavior… Alternative Final Exam Grade Raise • A- average • 3 or less absences • 3 or less tardies • Good behavior • Student must inform me one week prior to exams if they meet the above requirements • 3 or less absences • 3 or less tardies • 0 missing assignments • 0 late assignments • Good behavior • Student must inform me one week prior to exams if they meet the above requirements

16. ACCOUNTING OUTLINE 1st Semester: • Accounting for a Sole-Proprietorship • Chapters 1 – 8 will be completed Second Semester: • Accounting for a Corporation • Chapters 9 – 16 will be completed

17. WEB DESIGN OUTLINE Web Design 1 Web Design 2 • Basics of Creating & Designing a web site • Adobe CS5 Dreamweaver & Photoshop • Basics of HTML • Creating, Maintaining & Updating school site • Adobe CS5 Flash • HTML, JavaScript, CSS • On-going learning of latest technologies

18. On-line Learning… On-line learning is a part of our everyday lives. In order for me to better prepare all students, it is expected that on-line learning be completed outside of class through Blackboard On-line. This will include, but not limited to: • Take home tests & quizzes (75% of your grade) • Open & close on specific dates • Timed Tests • Typically open book, notes, Internet • Must be taken during scheduled time or a ZERO will result in the grade book. • Silent Sustained Reading of various articles with posting of what was learned in on-line journals • Class discussions, group projects, activities, etc.

19. On-line Learning cont’d… Students are expected to make arrangements in advance when they are faced with an on-line learning opportunity. A few ideas are: • Local library • Friend, neighbor, or family members house • Mott’s Media Center • Study round is every Wednesday after school w/computer access available • During Lunch • Lab 404 • Need your AGENDA signed by Mrs. Kourtakis to use the lab during lunch time Excuses WILL NOT be tolerated!!!!

20. SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT…. • A teacher doesn’t GIVE a student a grade. The student EARNS their grade! • Don’t mistake my strictness as meanness. I have rules in place for a reason. You will find that I am fair, treat you each as individuals, and you WILL learn something in this class! • You are here for the entire day to LEARN, so put forth your best effort and you will find that you will be more successful this way. • Critical thinkers, problem solvers and analyzers are WANTED in all jobs, therefore it is expected in the classroom! Not all questions may be answered…instead if you ask me a question, I will respond with the following: • What did YOU do to solve the problem? • Did you read the directions? • Did you re-read the material and/or re-track your steps? • Did you use another resource to find the answer, such as your textbook or Google? • Did you ask 3 people before you’ve asked me?

21. My final words of wisdom…. • A good teacher doesn’t give out answers or give out grades; rather they set high expectations, facilitate learning in a productive and safe environment, and push their students to be the very best that they can be! • “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of what you make of it!” • Its your life, so get the most out of it by focusing on the 90% that YOU CAN control….and no one wants to hear your complaints!

22. MY CONTACT INFORMATION • akourtakis@wcskids.net • E-mail is the best way to contact me • Phone: 586.574.3250 ext. 13404 • http://mrskourtakis.com • Daily lesson plans & important information • Students & Parents, check this everyday • If you are ever absent, it is expected that you check the lesson plans & complete your work before you return. • https://ps.wcs.misd.net/public/ • Grades are updated ASAP • Be sure to check your Power School daily to keep up with your grade. • Grade printouts will not be distributed. It is expected that both student and parent stay informed of the class grade via Power School.