Course Description: Welcome to Fitzgerald High School’s Student Leadership Class! We are very excited that you have chosen to learn about and develop your leadership abilities to make a positive difference in our school! This trimester long elective course focuses on developing a greater understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be a successful leader in our school and in your future place of employment. Throughout this course you will explore various components of what it means to be an effective group member and leader through planning and implementing activities, programs, and events for FHS students and staff. Together with your peers members of the FHS Leadership Class will strive to accomplish the following goals: • Learn the foundations of leadership. • Identify one’s own leadership style. • Create one’s philosophy of leadership. • Learn the aspects of effective leadership. • Propose, plan, execute, and evaluate a class project. • Learn the importance of organizational skills, appropriate conversation skills, and behavior management strategies. • Make a positive impact on Fitzgerald High School and the Fitzgerald Community. Course Curriculum: Throughout the trimester students will focus on: • Intrapersonal Management • Interpersonal Management • Oral and Written Communication • Effective Leadership Strategies • Leaders and Group Decision Making • Strategic Planning Principals • Analyzing and Resolving Practical Problems as a Leader Course Expectations: The FHS Leadership Class is a unique and special opportunity for those Junior and Senior students selected to be in the leadership program. Participation in this course is a privilege and the responsibilities of being a member of the FHS Student Leadership Class should be taken very seriously. As FHS Leadership students your actions in and outside of the classroom represent not only yourself, but the FHS Leadership Program and Fitzgerald High School as well. As members of this class you are expected to adhere to the following rules of Leader Etiquette: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/teens/leaders/qualities.shtml • Integrity: “You are what you are when nobody is looking.” - Abigail Van Buren o You must be honest to those you lead; it is of the utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy. A good leader is one who leads by example and has a strong sense of "what is right." o As a FHS Leadership Student you will be viewed as a role model by teachers, community members, and your fellow students – your actions will speak volumes about yourself and the FHS Leadership Program. o Leadership students should serve as an example to others, this includes your behavior at activities, sporting events and in class. o Remember that we make an impression even when we are just walking around the school. Please act accordingly during class time and refrain from unnecessary wandering in the hallways, disrupting other classes, or being off task during work time. o Leadership students should not expect special privileges and exceptions of classroom or school policies and rules. FHS Leadership students should not ask or expect to be excused from other classes, commitments, or events to pursue a Leadership objective for invalid reasons. • Ability to Truly Listen and Communicate with Others: o A good leader should be a part of the team rather than a superior. FHS Student Leaders are expected to work cooperatively together to accomplish class goals. o Listening to others will not only help you understand the members of your group, but the members will absolutely appreciate it. Many members of your group will have wonderful ideas, and it is vital those members know they can talk to you. o As a FHS Student Leader you must work hard to ensure that every person on your team feels fully formed and no one feels left out of the decision making process. • Initiative and Decisiveness: o A good leader recognizes what needs to be done – and does it. o FHS Leadership Students are expected to make a difference in our school and community by taking our classes big ideas into real projects! o A good leader has the ability to make decisions in a timely manner. Get all of the facts first, and then make up your mind when you have fully weighed each fact and option. • Dependability: o A dependable leader allows others to relax because they know the leader will follow through with commitments. o FHS Student Leaders are expected to be dependable leaders who are always on time, never make excuses and stay on the job until it is done. • Enthusiasm: o Enthusiasm is contagious! FHS Student Leaders are expected to serve as a source of inspiration to other members of the class and the entire FHS student body. Show your enthusiasm and others will follow! o Be proud and excited about the projects and activities that you are working on – you’re working hard to make a positive contribution to our school and should be proud of your hard work! Structure of Class This class is structured in such a manner that students are given ample opportunity to learn about themselves as individual leaders, to obtain knowledge regarding effective leadership strategies, and time to develop and demonstrate their leadership abilities through various ongoing class projects. Successful completion of this class requires students to work effectively towards large class goals through implementing effective time management and planning techniques. Students are given due dates and deadlines well ahead of time and are encouraged to make use of their student agenda for planning purposes in order to help them achieve the requirements of this class on time. Throughout the trimester students will generally adhere to the following daily schedule of curriculum activities. The instructors reserve the right to alter the daily focus due to school breaks, half-day’s, snow day’s, school assemblies, or other circumstances as necessary. In general, students can expect to participate in the following weekly schedule of events: • Monday’s: Individual Leadership Development • Tuesday’s: Leadership Instruction and Classroom Activities • Wednesday’s: Leadership Instruction and Classroom Activities • Thursday’s: School and Community Leadership Outreach • Friday’s: Leadership Summit: Personal and Group Goal Assessments Much of the courses curriculum centers upon the students ability to be self-directed and focused on the tasks at hand. FHS Student Leaders are each given a leadership badge they must wear throughout the class period and while participating in any FHS Leadership course activity or event. In addition, FHS Leadership students are afforded the privileges of extensive hall passes, library and computer usage, and cooperative learning opportunities with FHS staff members and as such are expected to exhibit responsible and respectable behavior at all times. Students who take advantage of these unique privileges will lose credit in the class in addition to the suspension of student privileges out of the classroom. Classroom Policies and Procedures: Materials: • Students are expected to come to class prepared for the day’s activities. Every day you must bring with you a pen, pencil, a 3-ring binder or folder and agenda with all of your assignments neatly kept. You cannot be an active participant in our classroom without your materials. Be responsible, as no locker passes will be issued to obtain materials or homework. Attendance and Seating: • When entering the classroom you are to pick up a copy of the daily agenda and proceed directly to your assigned seat. Attendance will be taken from the assigned seating chart. Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom at the beginning of the class bell. • All classroom policies for absences and tardies will follow the procedures outlined in the student handbook/agenda. Please familiarize yourself with those school policies and procedures. Citizenship and Responsibilities: You are responsible for all of your actions in this classroom. Fitzgerald High School defines respect as the ability to show regard and consideration to oneself and others. This definition includes, but is not limited to the following: 1. Using appropriate language at all times. 2. Handling possessions and property with care. 3. Allowing and encouraging others to express their views appropriately. • 4. Maintaining self control by exhibiting appropriate social behaviors. • Citizenship marks will be assigned according to the following policy: Outstanding Satisfactory Needs Improvement Fulfills and exceeds the criteria for outstanding citizenship which can be emonstrated by the following Fulfills the criteria for satisfactory citizenship as stated below: Does not meet outstanding or satisfactory citizenship criteria. Suggestions for improvement are as follows: Frequent & active participation in class, assists others, demonstrates modesty and selflessness Arrives prepared for class, polite & uses appropriate language, participates in class Should be awake & alert in class, polite & courteous, uses proper language, shows respect toward peers/teachers, exhibits conduct that promotes positive learning environment Citizenship grades are to be determined by a holistic perspective of the student rather than by a specific incident. Academic Grades are not factored into Citizenship Grades. * Poor citizenship or minor discipline problems will result in the student being assigned a detention. If the student fails to meet his or her obligation, parents will be contacted and the student will be referred to counseling/administration for further disciplinary action. Course Assignments and Assessments: In order for FHS Student Leaders to gain insight into their own leadership abilities, cultivate new leadership techniques, and to demonstrate their understanding of course objectives, students are expected to complete the following assignments and assessments. Students will be graded upon their successful completion of the following items throughout the trimester. Each item listed below will be extensively discussed in class and students will be provided with detailed directions and expectations for each assignment well in advance of the due date listed below. Students will be provided with deadlines and assessment dates via the classroom calendar located on the classroom display board. All students should frequently refer to this calendar for upcoming assignments, events, and assessment deadlines. Assignment Title: Description: Maximum Point Value: Due Date(s): Personal and Group Goal Progress Assessments Weekly summary and evaluation of the progress being made towards achieving personal and group goals. Requires typed summary of weekly activities and oral participation in classroom debriefing discussion by presenting your weekly evaluation of your personal learning experiences. 2 Points for each Weekly Progress Assessment (11 weeks total) = 22 Possible Points • #1: 12/5/08 • #2: 12/12/08 • #3: 12/19/08 • #4: 1/9/09 • #5: 1/16/09 • #6: 1/23/09 • #7: 1/30/09 • #8: 2/6/09 • #9: 2/13/09 • #10: 2/20/09 • #11: 2/27/09 Leadership Assessments for Certification Assessment of student learning and comprehension of class curriculum. May be in a traditional test format or an authentic assessment activity. Students earning 98% or higher on each assessment will receive a certificate of achievement. 5 Points for each of the Six (6) Leadership Assessment Units = 30 Possible Points • #1: 12/12/08 • #2: 1/9/09 • #3: 1/23/09 • #4: 2/6/09 • #5: 2/20/09 • #6: 3/6/09 School Leadership Outreach Log Updated log of all activities and time spent in a leadership capacity serving the school. Students are required to keep a typed log of all leadership activities done in and outside of class that positively supports the school. 15 total hours are required. Logs will be checked at three points throughout the semester. One (1) Point is earned for every one (1) hour of logged school leadership experience completed. = 15 Possible Points • #1: 12/16/08 • #2: 1/20/09 • #3: 3/3/09 Community Outreach Project Students will participate in a community outreach leadership project chosen by the instructor. Students must assist in planning, organizing, and participating in all aspects of the event. = 10 Possible Points TBA Assignment Title: Description: Maximum Point Value: Due Date(s): Class Participation: Daily active participation in all class elements with a positive attitude and an open mind. Adherence to Leadership Etiquette during participation is required. = 15 Possible Points Every Day Planning, Organizing, and Implementing Class Project Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the leadership qualities we have discussed throughout the course in order to plan, organize, and implement a class project, activity, or event benefiting the FHS school and/or community. = 30 Possible Points TBA Leadership Portfolio FINAL EXAM Students will create a portfolio of their leadership skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired during the FHS Leadership Class. Portfolios will be professionally typed and bound and the final project will be presented to the entire class. = 100 Possible Points ALSO COUNTS AS YOUR FINAL EXAM GRADE 2/28/09 Leadership Instruction Homework and/or Classroom Activities Instructional homework assignments and or classroom activities completed throughout the trimester. = 20 Possible Points TBA All homework is due at the beginning of class the next day unless otherwise specified. Homework is checked promptly and you are responsible for keeping each and every assignment we complete in your 3-ring binder or folder. Don’t throw anything out! Keep your notebook organized, it should have all of the notes, homework, and project information neatly organized. A well-organized binder will greatly benefit your studies. Students are expected to utilize time management techniques in conjunction with the student agenda to create an individual plan for achieving academic success. Students should be aware of deadlines and work continuously to accomplish them in managing the homework demands of a high school student. Late Work: • Daily classroom/homework assignment/activities, personal and group goal assessments, leadership assessments, school leadership outreach logs, and portions of the group project grade will be accepted for a maximum of half credit up to one day after the assigned due date. Students wishing to submit late work must do so by having the late assignment submitted to the teacher during the class period the following day in the appropriate bin in the first five minutes of class. • Students who miss or are unable to attend the Community Outreach • Project must notify the teacher prior to missing the event that they are unable to attend. These students will then have the opportunity to complete the three page research paper in order to earn the points for this project. Students will have one week from the date of the Community Outreach Project to turn in the paper for full credit. • The Leadership Portfolio WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE FOR ANY REASON unless documentation of a medical or family emergency is provided to the instructor(s) within 24 hours of the projects due date. Students who do not complete the Leadership Portfolio will earn an F as their Final Exam grade for the trimester. • Any student caught plagiarizing, copying, cheating, or assisting another student in performing any of these actions will be given a zero for that assignment, as well as a detention for academic dishonesty. Please familiarize yourself with the student code of conduct policies and procedures regarding plagiarism as these guidelines will be enforced and followed in this class. Absent Work: • In the event that you are absent (excused or unexcused) it is your responsibility to find out what assignments you have missed and make the necessary arrangements to complete them on the first day of your return. • All work missed must be completed on your own time within a two day grace period from the day of your absence. Some labs may have to be done the next day depending on the nature of the materials, or an alternative written assignment may be given if laboratory materials are not available. • All work not completed in this “grace period” will be recorded as zeros. Students experiencing prolonged absences must contact the instructor in order to arrange a make-up schedule. • On the first day of your return from an absence, you are to check the assignment calendar for what you have missed. You must get any notes that were given in class from a fellow classmate and copy them on your own time. Any homework that was given will be in the homework folder, it is YOUR responsibility to get the assignment, complete it, fill out an absence form and return it to the designated absent work folder the following day. • Absent work forms and the location for turning in absent work are located on the student supply table in the classroom. Absent work forms must be completely filled out and stapled to any absent work assignments in order to receive credit. • If you are absent on the day of a scheduled activity/assessment/project due date you will be required to complete the assignment/assessment/project on the day of your return. Grading: • Grades in this class will be determined by a combination of the assignments and assessments listed above. other student assessments. • Grades will be determined based on the following point scale: 243+ = A+ 160 - 174 = C - 235 – 242 = A 145 - 159 = D + 223 – 234 = B + 130 – 144= D 211 – 222 = B 120 – 129 = D - 199 – 210 = B - 0 – 119 = F 187 – 198 = C + 175 – 187 = C • • Grades will be updated and posted anonymously by student number on a bi-weekly basis so that students will always know their grade throughout the trimester. Passes: • All FHS Leadership students will receive an identification badge that will serve as their pass out of the classroom for Leadership activities. This pass should NOT be taken advantage of and should only be used for legitimate classroom business. Students must sign out their badge from their instructor prior to leaving the classroom. Students who do not follow this rule will be subject to point loss and discipline action. • No food or drink except water in clear plastic containers will be permitted in class. No one will be allowed to go to the vending machines during class time. • Extra help is always available to those who ask for it. I am available before and after school on most days with some advance notice. Please let me know when you would like to come in for extra help at least one day prior and I will make every attempt to make a mutually agreeable time for extra help. Student and Parent Signature Form After reviewing the Course Policies and Procedures for Fitzgerald High School’s Leadership Class, I understand that I am responsible for my behavior in the classroom and during all FHS Leadership Class activities and events. I understand the expectations of my behavior and my academic success are taken very seriously and understand there are consequences for any actions I may take that are detrimental to my academic success. I have read the above information and understand that if I do not complete and present my leadership portfolio on the due date listed I will automatically receive an F as my final exam grade. In addition, I understand that this class is highly dependent on my ability to utilize time management techniques and work at my own pace to accomplish deadlines and assignments during class time AND after school hours. Furthermore, I will take an active role in my learning by participating in all activities, completing all assignments, and asking questions when I do not understand. ____________________________________________ Hour: _________ Student Name (print please) ____________________________________________ Student Signature ____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Parent Phone Numbers: Cell: __________________________ Home: __________________________ Work: __________________________ Parent Address: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Best Time to Reach You:________________________ E-mail Address:_______________________________ Dear Parents/Guardians of a Fitzgerald High School Leadership Student, As your child’s Student Leadership teacher, I would like to introduce myself and welcome your family to another wonderful year at Fitzgerald High School! As I enter into my fifth year of teaching at Fitzgerald High School, I am very excited to help your student have an academically successful 2008-2009 school year. I am looking forward to working with you and your student throughout the next trimester and am available to answer any questions you might have during my fifth hour prep period. Please feel free to contact me at (586) 757-7070 or by e-mail at rebaki@fps.fitz.k12.mi.us . Sincerely, Rebecca Akins