• World Language Class

    Western G. High School

    Mrs. Vilar

    Room #216

     

    Welcome to this new school year!

     

     

    Dear Parents/Guardians/Students:

     

    My name is Mrs. Vilar and I will be your Spanish teacher this academic year. Please read the following information to have a productive and successful academic year.

     

    Expectations:  

    It is the desire that all students have every possible opportunity to take advantage of the instructional programs. Therefore, to achieve this, I expect students to comply with the following rules:

     

    -Follow teacher’s requests, directions, and instructions

    -Be responsible (be on time, be prepared for class, submit your assignments on time, …)

    -Be respectful

    -Try to participate as much as possible 

     

    Unnecessary interruptions by the students during the instruction time are not only detrimental to the child involved but also to the rest of the students. Keep in mind that whenever I have to interrupt my teaching, precious educational time is lost.

     

    Likewise, students must keep their work area always organized, come on time, complete their class work, have the material ready and cooperate with others.

     

    Disrespectful attitudes and Bullying are not tolerated!!!

     

    -Cell Phones School Policy.

    During the instructional day, CELL PHONES must remain out of sight and in silent mode.

    Failure to comply with these expectations will result in the following actions:

    -Verbal warnings

    -Parent-teacher phone call/email

    -Office Referral. The behavior will be reported in the educator handbook!

     

     

    -Schedule:

      

    1st BLOCK:  9:20 - 10:25          SPANISH II

    2nd BLOCK: 10:30 - 11:30        AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

    3rd  BLOCK: 11:35 - 12:35        SPANISH I

    4th  BLOCK: 12:40 - 2:10          SPANISH HERITAGE HONORS 2

    • A Lunch 12:40 - 1:05
    • B Lunch 1:10 - 1:35     (OUR LUNCH TIME)
    • C Lunch 1:40 -2:05

    5th BLOCK:  2:10 - 3:10            PLANNING

    6th BLOCK:  3:15 - 4:20            SPANISH II

     

     

    -Attendance:

    It is important that you notify me when you cannot attend class. Please, if you can, call the school and/or email me to let us know of your absence.

     

    Tardy Policy. Please see below:

      • 3 tardies to a class = Referral
        • 1st tardy – Verbal warning to student
        • 2nd tardy – Phone Call/Email Home 
        • 3rd tardy + = Referral to the office

     

    For more information on tardies and/or absences, consult the attendance policy reflected in the WGHS student handbook.

     

    -Courses Description:

    We will be using Canvas, Nearpod, Google Docs, PowerPoint, and other necessary online resources. Please, don’t stress yourself during the first weeks. Things will be better every day.  We will go through it together!

     

    -Spanish I:

    The students will be introduced to the Spanish language and culture. In this course, you will learn the elements of basic conversational Spanish and practice more grammar structures in diverse settings. Emphasis will be on the four key areas of foreign language study: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Since interaction using the language is an important element to learning, you will often work with your classmates. You will also learn about traditions in Spanish-speaking countries.

     

     -Spanish II:

    In this class we will build on the basic skills acquired in Spanish I. The students will grow in their ability to speak, write, read, and understand Spanish. Students will study vocabulary, grammar, and culture embedded in different themes. We will cover indirect and direct object pronouns, demonstrative adjectives, possessive adjectives, and past and imperfect tenses. 

     

    -Heritage Speakers II Honors:

    This course will build on the in-depth knowledge that heritage Spanish speakers bring to the language classroom.  Special attention will be paid to continuing to develop vocabulary using advanced grammar, strengthening and deepening academic writing, and reading skills.  Additionally, students will increase their knowledge of a variety of topics including, but not limited to, topics such as identity, communities, global challenges, and literature from the Spanish-speaking world. This course will be taught exclusively in Spanish!

     

    -AP Spanish Language and Culture:

    The Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school, culminating in an exam. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university course in Spanish language and culture.

    The course is based on six required course themes. Students will learn to think critically and construct solid arguments that prepare them for college and beyond. Students who score 3 or higher on an AP exam typically experience greater academic success in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful AP Exam scores. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. Also, the students will engage in an exploration of culture and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives.

    The AP Spanish Language and Culture course will be taught almost exclusively in Spanish!

    The students will be required to create an account to manage their own College Board progress, which includes activities, quizzes, information, etc. The necessary code will be provided. The completion of these tasks can be found on the college board website and will be part of their overall grade.

    -Academy Integrity Policy:

    Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated by any institution. Please do not take another student’s work and claim or pretend that it is yours.

     

    -Late Work School Policy:

    Students are expected to submit all assignments on time. It is the student's responsibility to ask about make-up work and turn it in as soon as possible. Late assignments after 5 days will not be accepted. The grade will automatically be 0%. What happens if the student has been absent or sick? Students will have the number of days they missed plus 2 days to turn in the assignment.

     

    -Grade recovery:

    If the students fail, they can submit their recovery assignments. Any student who is failing any quarter must turn in several assignments to recover their grades. I will determine which assignments are being considered for the restart opportunity. Approximately there will be 6 or 7 meaningful, quality assignments per quarter. These assignments, if completed, they will get a 59%, which will be the highest that they can get to pass the grading period.

     

    -Tutoring: 

    I will be available for tutoring on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Please give me at least 24 hours’ notice if you would like to stay back for tutoring. Likewise, it is very important to turn in the permission slip signed by any parent before attending to tutoring. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter!

     

    -Club: Hispanic Honor Society: https://www.aatsp.org/page/SHH

     

    • Eligibility: Spanish 3 or higher, including Heritage Speakers, B or better grade in all classes
    • Meeting: We will meet once or twice per month in the afternoons

     

    -Supply List:

    • 1(2-pockets) folder
    • 1 Notebook (10.5 x 8 in.) or 1 Composition notebook (wide ruled)
    • Pens (blacks/blues)
    • Pencils #2
    • Loose paper (letter size, wide ruled)
    • Index-cards
    • Highlighters

     

    The students are expected to bring their school Chromebook to their classes. The students will use the following GCS Network to sign in:

     

    • The username is your GCS STUDENT # (ID NUMBER)
    • The password is student BIRTHDAY (MMDDYYYY)

     

     

    -Grading by skills:

    Speaking skills           20%

    Reading skills             20%

    Writing skills              20%

    Listening skills           20%

    Integrated skills        20%

     

    Final Exam                 20%

    Grades will be updated at the end of every week. Please check canvas and PowerSchool

    Final Exam: For a student to be exempt from the final exam, they may not have more than 10 absences and a final overall grade of 85%.

     

    Contact/Information:

    -E-mail: vilarp@gcsnc.com (Email is the best way to contact me)

     

    I look forward to a productive and interesting year with you. It is a pleasure to work with you to help your child succeed!

     

    Mrs. Vilar

     

     

     

    Confirmation of Receipt and Understanding of Syllabus

     

    Please sign and return this form to Ms. Vilar. Signatures will serve as acknowledgement that both students and parents have read and understand the course syllabus.

    Date: _______________

    Parent Name: __________________________________

    Parent Email: ___________________________________

    Parent Signature: _______________________________________________________________

    Student Name: ________________________________________________ Course: Spanish ___

    Student Signature: ________________________________________________

     

    Please refer to your Canvas course and School Web to find the above information for your future reference.