Ninth grade English

Ms. Elizabeth Davis

Email: edavis@johnmilledge.org
www.johnmilledge.org elizabethkdavis.weebly.com 478-452-
5570

Course Description: Ninth grade language and literature, with a focus on vocabulary, writing, listening, and
speaking

Text: Elements of Language/2001/ Holt, Rinehart-Winston

Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes/2002/ Prentice Hall

Honor Code/Pledge: John Milledge Academy expects each student to live as a responsible and honorable person.
When students are admitted to John Milledge, they become identified with the school. It is expected that their
conduct will reflect favorably upon them and the school at all times; therefore, the Honor Code is an integral part of
the daily structure of school life which predicates the assumption that students are honorable and have the right to be
trusted. Each student must take personal responsibility in accepting the Honor Code. The Honor Code
encompasses academics, behavior, and character.

I pledge to always act in an honest, honorable, and accountable manner and expect the same of my fellow students. I agree to promote
exemplary behavior at all times and understand that there will be consequences for inappropriate actions.

Tardy/Attendance: Attendance is mandated by our accreditation and is valued because of the educational content
of each class. Students are expected, therefore, to be present for all classes. Any absence or tardiness must be
documented in writing or by oral communication with the parents. Furthermore, tardies and absences influence a
students ability to exempt spring exams (see Handbook for details).
For tardies:
A student is considered tardy to school from 1 minute to 10 minutes after the late bell of the first class of the
day for the student. Students with more than 10 unexcused tardies to school in a school year will not be able
to exempt exams.
After each set of four tardies to the first class, students receive one unexcused tardy absence from class.
A student is considered unexcused tardy absent from the first class beginning at the 11th minute after the late
bell.
For absences:
After 8 unexcused absences in a year, a student may not exempt spring exams.
After 10 unexcused absences from any class per semester, a student will receive an INCOMPLETE for
his/her semester grade. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by administration on appeal (see the
Appeals section in the Handbook for details).
Students may be given an opportunity to receive course credit and avoid receiving an INCOMPLETE by
making up course time in credit recovery during exam make-up days, or during summer school if deemed
necessary. A student will need one hour of credit recovery per unexcused absence after 10 unexcused
absences each semester.
Additional unexcused absences may result in additional disciplinary actions up to and including loss of credit
for the course at the discretion of the Head of School.

Make-Up Work: It is the students responsibility to secure all missed work and to ensure that all
requirements are satisfied.

A student is expected to complete all class work within 3 days after being absent. This applies to assignments missed
during the absence, without prior knowledge. Students need to be proactive and consult on a teacher-by-teacher
basis to schedule make-up work. A student should be prepared to take tests or complete any make-up work that
he/she has prior knowledge of on the next day after missing. Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for the
complete Make-Up Work Policy.

Homework: Homework, projects, and reports may be assigned at the discretion of the teacher on week nights
and/or weekends. All students are expected to do their homework thoroughly and turn it in at the beginning of the
class on the due date or at the discretion of the teacher.

Grading: A students yearly grade consists of an average of each semesters grade. For all classes, semester exams are
weighted as 20% of a semester grade.

Daily Grades: 20 %
Quizzes / Participation / etc/ : 20%
Tests: 40 %
Semester Exam / Capstone Project: 20%

Exam Exemptions: Students may exempt final exams on a class by class basis if the following conditions are met:

They have a 90 yearly average in that subject or higher

They have 8 or less unexcused absences during the year or 4 or less unexcused absences for a one semester
class in that subject
They have 10 or less tardies to school for the year
They have had no major disciplinary action in any subject

No one will be exempted from midyear exams unless it is a one semester course.

Students may not be eligible to exempt an exam grade if the class requires a term/research essay or capstone project at
the end of the semester/year.

The teacher will notify the student, in writing, of his or her exemption by the last day of regular class prior to the
final examination week.

Pertinent Information: All students are responsible for the rules and policies set forth in the most current
Parent-Student Handbook, found online at www.johnmilledge.org under quick links.

Insert other pertinent information if necessary.