EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR SENIOR

YEAR

Communications Arts High School

Mr. Guerrero: AP Economics & Government 1 semester course for grades 1 semester course in regards to

attendance AP Course and expectations

Significant amounts of reading and taking notes outside of class

Be ready to actively participate in class discussion

A general awareness of the news is a must

Mrs. Ochoa: Spanish

Available Resources Tutoring CD Tutoring program Salon de Sabios Computer Lab

Mrs. Ochoa: Spanish

eClassroom Study Suggestions sheet Online resources, especially

www.classzone.com supplies – notebook, folder

Mrs. Ochoa: Spanish

Spanish IV AP and the AP ExamWhy take it? ○ You can get a minor without taking a course

in college depending on the college you go to

Homework/WorkloadWill have homework every day Some practice or studying 30 minutes

each night even if specific homework is not assigned

Mrs. Ochoa: Spanish

Skills for SuccessTime managementOrganization; Balancing school and extra-

curricularAsking for help when needed

Academic integrity Absences/tardies

Mrs. Davern: English IV

Objectives of the course:To study British and world literature and to

cover the curriculum specified in TEKS.To prepare for the AP Literature and

Composition Test in May.This course is taught as a college level English

class and, as such, includes a challenging workload, especially outside reading. ○ Be prepared to schedule reading into your free

time and to receive frequent writing assignments.

Mrs. Davern: English IV

Turnitin.com

Summer Reading Assignment: Part One Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods

and Heroesby Edith Hamilton

core knowledge for AP Lit. studentsreading it first and carefully will help students understand many allusions found in the literature we read

please highlight important information in the text

Summer Reading Assignment: Part One

Writing Assignment for MythologyNOTE: Write all assignments in a new

Mead Composition Book (this is a supply requirement for the class)

take detailed notes. See the handout for specific instructions

Summer Reading Assignment: Part Two

The Inferno by Dante Alighieri (trans. John Ciardi)○ the first part of The Divine Comedy, which

follows Dante as he explores Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

○ Inferno: Dante and his guide Virgil explore the different levels of Hell.

Writing Assignment for Inferno

○See the handout for detailsannotationbring your copy of the novel to class every day until the summer unit is complete.

essays and tests will occur during the first two weeks of school.

Failure to complete the either assignment will be detrimental to your first six weeks grade.

Acquiring the Texts The school has a few copies of Mythology

and The Inferno, but I encourage you to purchase your own copies so that you can annotate and mark in them.

Both books can be found relatively cheaply in paperback at both regular and used books bookstores as well as online.

In addition, having your own copy of any AP recommended/studied text allows you to review it before the AP test and remind yourself of characters, setting, etc.

English IV AP—

Supplies Two (2) 100 page, sewn composition book Blue/Black pens & highlighters Loose leaf paper A pocket folder/binder 5x8 lined index cards—extra large cards 1 large glue stick Flash drive Planner Novels

English IV Novels

Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte Hamlet, William Shakespeare (Folgers

ed.) A choice Modern novel—from a list A choice 19th century novel—from a list

Mrs. Malik: AP/Dual Credit

AP vs. Dual Credit Expectations: homework outside of

class AP tests are given in May Students can receive college credit

depending on their score Each university awards its own credit;

there isn’t a standard score/grade equivalency

Mrs. Malik: AP/Dual Credit

Grades earned in dual credit become part of the PERMANENT ACADEMIC RECORD and will be recorded on BOTH the high school AND college transcripts

Dropping a course-responsible for drop date

Failing & possible consequences with later financial aid

Failing and reflection on transcript and GPA

BENEFITS OF ENROLLING IN DUAL CREDIT COURSES: Classes are taught by ComArts teachers

and are held at the high school. Offers FREE tuition for two courses, 6- 8

hours of college credit each year. Saves parents & students considerable

amounts of college costs. Shortens the length of time to complete a

degree Allowed access to NSV and ACCD services

such as the library

DUAL CREDIT COURSES: (some also offered as Pre-AP & AP)

MATH: Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB/ BC, Statistics, College Algebra

SCIENCE: Biology, Environmental Science

English 3 and English 4 Spanish 3

FACTS ABOUT DUAL CREDIT COURSES (cont.) Students must attend their Dual Credit

class regularly and may be withdrawn for lack of attendance and/or lack of progress.

Students who make a D or an F in a Dual Credit class will not be allowed to continue in the Dual Credit program.

FACTS ABOUT DUAL CREDIT COURSES (cont.) Students are responsible for knowing

and adhering to the drop deadlines for withdrawal on the Alamo Colleges Academic calendar (should his/her grade fall below a C).

Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 and remain in good standing to continue in the Dual Credit Program.

FACTS ABOUT DUAL CREDIT COURSES (cont.) If a student plagiarizes a paper or colludes or

cheats in any dual credit class, the student will be subject to the discipline policies and procedures of the college; severe cases may result in failure of the course and suspension from the dual credit program.

Courses are generally transferable, but it is not the responsibility of the college to ensure that the dual credit course is transferable to the college/university the student plans to attend.

Mrs. Malik: Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) Independent Study Mentorship with

the key word being independent Major goal is to promote

independent learning and being responsible for themselves.

Mrs. Malik: Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) Responsible for finding own mentor

Mrs. Malik can provide possible names Responsible for own transportation Must be professional and courteous

as you are representing the school and the program

Mrs. Malik: Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) Select a topic that you are truly

interested in. You will be researching it in depth for a full year.

Topic must require post secondary education.

Blocking with English once the 2nd six weeks starts

Speeches every six weeks Research paper on topic

Mrs. Malik: Independent Study Mentorship (ISM)

Meetings and attendanceAllowed to go during ISM period ON ISM

days Mrs. Malik cannot excuse an absence or

tardy for another class due to a meetingMeetings are due the 3rd and 5th Monday

of each six weeks (2 per six weeks). Students may have additional meetings.

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

1st Six Weeks: college prep: resumes, applications, reading a degree plan

Apply TexasWe will begin in class so that teacher

can help REMEMBER passwords and social

security # FAFSA Entrance Exams-SAT & ACT

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

Letters of RecommendationGive teachers at least a week to

write themProvide recipient information and

a copy of your resume that we will write in ISM class

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

Deadlines/AdmissionsDeadlines are very important“Received by” vs. “Postmarked by”Early Decision is binding if accepted.Early Action-usually November deadline; turn

everything in early and university sends decision early

Deadlines includes ALL components○ E.g., for a college application, it will include all of the

required components such as the actual application, essay, transcript and letters of recommendation (if required)

Mrs. Malik: College Admissions

Regular Decision:application due dates are much later and most

acceptance letters are sent out around March 1st

Rolling Admissions:applications are reviewed as they are received and

letters are sent out once a decision has been made

If you have questions about an application or your status, CALL the university. Check your status regularly.

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

TranscriptsAt TaftMay order and pick up before school, after

school and at lunch onlyCan take up to a weekMay want to order a couple to have on handForms can be found in Mrs. Malik’s room or

front officeParent Consent form only one time (if under

18); forms can be found in Mrs. Malik’s room or front office

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

NW VistaMrs. Malik will show the students how to

log into ACES and how to order a transcript online

Mrs. Malik: College Prep

Final documentation for CollegeIn May, we will discuss making a

folder/portfolio to take to college orientation

Students will be given an order form for their final CAHS transcript and will be shown how to order the Vista transcript for the college they will be attending

Mrs. Whitus: Electives Yearbook Advanced Video Digital Graphics & Animation

Mrs. Whitus: Nonacademic Items

Yearbook$70, price will increase to $75 in

the SpringSenior ads○Order in the Spring○Prices range from $70-$250

(quarter page-full page)

Mrs. Whitus: Nonacademic Items Senior pictures

Must take by December 1 for inclusion in yearbook

No cost for yearbook senior pictureYearbook senior picture must be taken by

Prestige, but you DO NOT have to buy any pictures from them○ two dates here at school in the Fall:

Saturday, September 21Retakes Saturday, November 4

○ or set up appointment at their studio: 690-1476 Picture packages from Prestige: $100-$600

Mrs. Whitus: Nonacademic Items

Class ringOrder from Josten’s in the FallRange of prices from $100-$1000

Prom $50-$65; price of ticket increases as it gets closertux rentals: $100-$250dresses: $200-$400

Senior BanquetFree for students, $25 for each guest

Mrs. Whitus: Nonacademic Items

Graduation ExpensesCap and gown○ $25

Graduation Announcements○ Order from Josten’s in the Fall○ Packages vary from $75-$200

Parking at Alamodome: $10 Project Graduation

$55-$70Ticket price goes up as year goes on

Summary of Nonacademic Expenses(based on 2011-12 costs)

Yearbook: $70-$75Senior pictures: $0 - $600Senior ad in yearbook: $70 - $250Class ring: $100-1000Graduation invitations: $75-200Cap & gown: $25Prom tickets: $50-$65Senior Banquet: free for students, $25 per

guestProject Graduation: $55-70

Resources

Eclassroom Each teacher offers tutoring—talk to your

teachers! Salon de Sabios

After school from 4:20-6:20 on Tuesdays and ThursdaysA place to study, use the computer lab, make up a test

or quizin the past, a Spanish teacher has been available every

Thursday to help students Lunch Lab and Lunch Study Hall Students are expected to print homework

assignments at home, not in the labs

Resources

Go CenterSee Mrs. Crowson for scholarship

information before school or at lunchShe will also help to contact schools if

there are questions that we cannot answerShe schedules college reps to speak

throughout the year during lunch. Take advantage of this

Counselor Planners

QUESTIONS?