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Class Materials - Required for Lessons, Used in Class Daily

 

  • 2-Inch English class only Binder with dividers.  No 3-inch binders or binders shared with other classes.  Instructions for setting up binders will be given once classes are in session. 

  • Internet Access:  Remind Texts, Google Classroom

  • Lined notebook paper

  • Black or Blue ink pens

  • Highlighters: Yellow, Blue

  • 1 Box of Tissues
    |
    ---Strongly Recommended --  Each student is responsible for being prepared in class and keeping materials organized!

  • Personal stapler  

  • Personal 3-hole punch 

 

 

Class Routine & Use of Materials

 

  • Every student who enters our class does so with a unique level of  reading and writing literacy.  These literacy skills are fundamental for every young adult as they near the end of their high school education; sustaining and growing student literacy is the core of Neville's mission for its students to "achieve excellence." 

 

  • The materials we use in our classes have been selected for their quality and coherence as tools to help students focus their energy on what matters:  Understanding, not copying content off a board; comprehension, not repetition and regurgitation.  As such, every student is expected to make full use of the materials provided each day to participate in and complete lessons in a way that actually encourages learning and trains students in skills they will take with them into the future.  

 

  • Nothing given in our classes is "busywork."  Students who refuse to make use of the tools given cannot expect to perform well or get good grades. 

  • Class Materials: Learning Logs, "Tools" Handouts, and Reference Guides

 

  • Our lessons rely on active, daily use of the materials provided as well as student materials.  Failure to bring materials to class will result in poor performance on daily activities and, as a result, poor grades.

    If any student is genuinely not able to purchase/obtain the basic necessary materials for class (pens, paper, binder, etc.), that student must let me know ASAP so that arrangements can be made to get the materials necessary.

  • Students must keep all materials organized in their English binder. On most days, binders may be left in class.  

 

More detailed information regarding our class materials will be provided in a separate document to be posted to our Google Classwork page.

 

Independent Reading

 

  • Independent reading of student-selected books, whether fiction or nonfiction, is a requirement for all English classes (English II & IV).  

  • A reading/assessment schedule will be provided ahead of time.  

  • Student knowledge of independent reading will be assessed through a combination of written and oral reports given directly to the teacher or designated staff member.

 

Note-Taking & Note Sets

 

Each student's personal note sets are the fundamental tools for success in daily lesson activities, diagnostic quizzes, tests, and culminating writing tasks.  More information regarding how to take notes correctly will be given in class.

 

Homework

Use of learning technology and digital education platforms (such as Google Classroom and its tools) is part of our curriculum. 

 

  • Homework is an extension of our studies in class, and most assigned homework holds the same grade value as daily grades for in-class lesson activities.

  • Refusal to complete homework will result in zero grades. 

  • Homework assignments will be posted and updated daily on Google Classroom 

 

Plagiarism/Copying/Cheating

 

  • Plagiarism, copying, and cheating constitute academic theft and will result in immediate disciplinary action. The minimum consequence is a zero grade with no opportunity to make up the assignment.

  • Plagiarism/Cheating includes but is not limited to the following:

    • Copying or using unauthorized content from any AI or LLM source the student claims to be their own or when such sources are forbidden by the assignment

    • Copying or using content without citing the original source

    • Refusing to follow rules during quiz or test sessions regarding talking, internet access, leaving room, etc. 

    • Copying answers or information on assignments that must be completed independently, such as:

      • Note sets assigned as independent classwork or homework

      • Answers to quizzes or tests 

      • Written compositions requiring original work only

 

Seating

 

  • Every student will sit in an assigned seat.  Refusal to sit where assigned will result in disciplinary action. 

 

Food & Drink

  • No food or gum is allowed in the classroom.  You will have to throw away food or gum.
  • Cold, covered drinks are allowed.  If it is spillable, you will be asked to leave it up front until class is over. 

 

Student IDs: Updated Policies

 

  • Neville no longer offers temporary identification (the orange stickers). Students without IDs will be required to purchase a new one. 

  • School-assigned identification must be worn at all times on a lanyard around the student’s neck or pinned to a front-facing shirt pocket where it is immediately visible. IDs may not be kept in pockets, bags, or worn in an inconspicuous place.  

  • Students must be wearing their IDs to enter my classroom.

  • Neville no longer uses paper hall pass/restroom passes.  Students who need the restroom or who are called to visit another classroom must have their IDs scanned before leaving the room.  

 

Student Behavior & the Student Handbook  

 

  • Consequences and interventions for Discipline Problems are detailed in our Student Handbook, as well as guidelines for tardies, absences, makeup work, cell phones, improper use of technology, and so on. Some highlights:

    • Students not in their seats when the bell rings will be counted tardy, no exceptions.  
    • If you arrive to school late, you must check in with the attendance office.  Otherwise you will be counted absent or skipping regardless of whether or not you are physically present. 
    • Phones will be taken on sight if present in the classroom without explict permission.
    • Dress codes will be strictly enforced. 

 

  • For behavioral problems that affect individual students, I will defer to the Student Handbook regarding consequences and referrals.

 

Class Behavior: Rules, Class Code & the Right to Learn

 

  • Every student has a right to learn. Above all else, I value this right and will protect it in my classroom. 
  • Your Student Handbook outlines the official policies for various offenses.  However, every teacher has their own particular rules and class codes that reflect the values and priorities for learning.  These are mine.


Mr. Donn’s Class Rules

 

1) Tell the Truth 

2) Think of Others 

3) Control Yourself

  • These rules make up a simple “To Do” list that, if used every day, will make sure each student can succeed. These rules are the “Thou Shalts” of my classroom. 

  • The Class Code and information that follows will give you a more detailed look at what the rules above are intended to protect and prevent.  These are our classroom “Thou Shalt NOTs”:

 

Mr. Donn's Class Code

 

Absolutely no behavior will be tolerated when it interferes with another student’s right to learn.

That’s the code, and here are some examples:

 

  • Creating a disruption that interferes with the lesson or disrupts the flow of the lesson.
    Examples include: 
    •  Talking out of turn/Cross-talk
    • Unwarranted attention-seeking behavior, creating a spectacle (clowning), outbursts 
    • Repeated failure to meet practical responsibilities
  • Disrespect and disregard for others’ right to learn in a safe and welcoming classroom.  Whether directed at another student, myself, or a visitor, disrespect and provocation will never be tolerated. 

         Examples include. . .

    • Verbal or physical confrontation with another student
    • Arguing with me, another teacher, or a staff member
    • Bullying or harassment in ANY formwhatsoever--especially the “I was just joking” excuse
  • Academic Refusal.  This isn’t the one bad day when you just couldn’t finish the homework. 
    • “Academic Refusal” is the repeated refusal to engage in assigned classwork, homework, group activities, class discussions, etc.
    • We learn as a class; when one of us refuses, it holds another one back.   

 

You can’t put out a fire by starting another fire.  Those who willingly create a public problem are always compensating for a private one.  Please remember that you can talk to me, another teacher, or a counselor if you have issues or baggage holding you back. We’re not just here to deliver lessons. Talk to somebody, and let us help.  

 

Use of Learning Technology/Digital Literacy

 

According to the 2026 ELA Student Standards,  "A literate person in the twenty-first century should. . .

 

  • “Demonstrate independence in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language use; 

  • build strong content knowledge through reading and writing;

  • adapt to the demands of various audiences, tasks, purposes, and subjects;

  • comprehend as well as critique; 

  • cite specific evidence and evaluate others’ use of evidence; 

  • use technology and digital media strategically and capably; 

  • understand other perspectives.”

 


Here’s what the statement in bold above looks like in our classroom:
 

  • Digital literacy is an essential requirement of our curriculum.  
  • Because students will not be issued Chromebooks this year, much of our daily, in-class work will take place on paper.  However, every student is still responsible for using online resources for routine assignments which include: 

    • Accessing digital assignments through Google Classroom

    • Accessing digital-only texts and assignments through Google Classroom, Common Lit, etc. 

    • Accessing Homework assignments, instructions, and digital documents through our weekly class notes document

    • Checking Remind updates

 

Grades

 

  • Makeup work will follow District policy as described in the Student Handbook. 
    • Work may only be made up when the student has an acceptable excuse (present for school activity or missed with an excused absence). 
  • Incomplete work will receive a "zero" grade. 
  • If makeups are warranted, the zero will be replaced with the appropriate grade. Otherwise, the zero is permanent. 

 

Assignment Categories:  All assignments are scored using a 100% scale. However, not assignments are "weighted" as following:

  • Daily Grades: 60% of the nine week average.
  • Quiz/Diagnostic Grades:  25% of the nine week average.
  • Test/Major Assessments or Projects:  15% of the nine week average.

 

 

CONTACT & CONFERENCE PROTOCOL
PARENTS & GUARDIANS - PLEASE READ

 

  • Students are not allowed to contact a teacher through personal email. For this reason, only parents and guardians may reach me at [email protected].
  • To avoid missed messages and miscommunication, please do not use Remind texts for important matters that are better served through an in-person conference. 
  • If an in-person conference is required, please set up an official Parent-Teacher Conference through Neville's main office: 318-323-2237.