De Anza Academy of Technology & the Arts (DATA)

www.dataschool.org

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to 8th grade - I hope this will be your best year yet! My goal is to provide a
challenging and rigorous curriculum that is, at the same time, interesting and engaging. This is a fast
paced class, with high expectations, intended to prepare students for current and future academic
success.
I will present the necessary tools and guidance for students to be successful, and students are
expected to put forth their best effort both in-class and at home. There is approximately 45 minutes of
homework each night the student is expected to complete in order to keep up in the course and
reinforce the curriculum. Parents can help keep track of student deadlines and assignments by
checking the student agenda and Q Parent Connect online.
Accompanying this letter is a more detailed syllabus. With your child, please read and sign
where indicated, and send back with the student as a reminder of the class expectations. Thank you in
advance for your support - I look forward to working with you this year!

Best Regards, Ms. St. Clare

School Mission
De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts (DATA) is a high achieving and innovation magnet school where
students, community, and staff collaboration in authentic learning experiences. Together, we support an
inclusive environment focused on relationships in order to develop skills for a global society.

Course Title: Language Arts/U.S. History 8th grade, Grade Level & GATE

Teachers Name: Maklynn St. Clare

Class Website: http://stclaredata.weebly.com/

Textbooks: StudySync (Language Arts) & American Journey (U.S. History)

Major Emphasis of the Course: The goals and objective of this course align with the Common Core California
State Content Standards for Language Arts/U.S. History 8th grade. These content standards can be accessed at
www.cde.ca.gov/be/st. Reading and writing standards are a part of every course curriculum. In addition to
coursework and tests, benchmark assignments will be used to assess student attainment of the standards.

Course Expectations: All DATA teachers expect students to conform to the VUSD Attendance Policy, Standards
of Student Behavior and Conduct, Dress Code, and Academic Honesty Policy. These policies can be found on
the VUSD website at www.venturausd.org and in the Parent-Student Handbook.

Course of Study These two, blocked courses will provide you with an in-depth experience in writing,
and Targeted English usage, literature, and U.S. History. Usually, both subjects will run together and be
Standards treated as one combined class.
Through close reading, rhetorical analysis, discussion, research, and written response to
selections of fiction, nonfiction, verse, and drama, this chronological survey course covers
California Department of Education 8th grade reading, writing, speaking, and listening
standards.
Every day, we utilize technology for researching, word processing, presentation
compilation, publishing, creating projects, movie-making, and accessing online
educational learning communities such as Google Classroom. I will provide explicit
directions, models, and rubrics.

Classroom C.H.A.M.P.S. BEHAVIOR FOR SUCCESS!

Rules 1. Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of the classroom.
2. Enter the classroom quietly and orderly. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to
yourself.
3. Bring all materials to class. Be seated, pencil sharpened, and writing in your homework
agenda when the bell rings. Check the board for needed materials and Warm-Up.
4. Raise your hand for permission to talk or leave your seat.
5. Observe all school rules: Be safe. Be responsible. Be respectful. Be ready to learn.

Materials Daily agenda (calendar for writing homework and due dates)
netbook, case & charger
Google email address: firstinitiallastname@venturaedu.org
3 ring binder with agenda with subject dividers labeled for each class
2-3 sharpened pencils with erasers
reading book (Accelerated Reader)

Grading Policy The percentage scale below will be used to determine progress report and quarter report
ACADEMIC grades. Your academic grade will consist of class-work, tests, quizzes, writing
performance, homework completion, and projects. For each assignment, the number of
points you receive out of a total possible number of points will determine a percentage
correct. Late work will receive a -10% score unless you have a signed parent/guardian
note or email. District Philosophy Regarding Grading and Reporting Practices located at
http://www.gamutonline.net/district/whart/DisplayPolicy/193478/.

You will also receive a RESPONSIBILITY grade, which will include homework completion,
citizenship, attendance, and participation in class.

Grading Scale A = 90 100% = Advanced = Excelling at standards (ABOVE Grade Level)

B = 80 89% = Proficient = Advanced, above average (AT Grade Level)
C =70 79% = Proficient = Average, meets the standards (meeting GL)
D = 60 69% = Basic = Incomplete, below average (below GL)
F = 0 59% = Below Basic = Failure, not meeting standards (far below GL)

Please visit Q Parent Connect at http://www.venturausd.org/parents/vusdParents.aspx to

access grades. Q Student Connection: https://qweb.venturausd.org/studentportal/
If you need access to Q Parent Connect, visit DATAs front office to obtain password.
Attendance Your attendance is expected. If you are tardy: you must fill out a reflection referral and
stay in briefly at break. If you are absent: exams, quizzes, homework, and in-class
assignments that are completed late because of unexcused absences or irresponsibility
(forgetting to do homework) will not receive full credit. Late work and made-up tests will
only be given full credit for excused absences. When you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to check Google Classroom and/or pick up any homework sheets before or
after school. Please call a learning partner to ask questions and/or find out what you
missed at school that day so you do not fall behind.

Homework AGENDA/CALENDAR: It is your responsibility to write your daily assignments in your

Policy* agenda/calendar each day and get it checked by a parent/guardian each night. This lets
me know your parents / guardians are aware of what is going on in class and can assist
you in completing homework.

*THERE IS HOMEWORK EVERY NIGHT, AS WELL AS A

30 MINUTE READING REQUIREMENT (EXCEPT BEFORE HOLIDAYS).

READING GRADE: Your reading goals will be based on the STAR reading assessment you
will take each quarter. You will bring your Accelerated Reader book to class every
Monday. There are thousands of current best-seller AR book choices listed on the DATA
library site. It is your responsibility to read at home for at least 30 minutes every night and
take AR quizzes in class or the library.

Netbook Bring the Netbook to school fully charged and ready to go.
Norms Keep the Netbook and case clean both inside and outside.
Immediately report all malfunctions, damage, or if Netbook is missing to the office.
Use the Netbook for school-related purposes only.
Netbook must be kept in the approved/issued carrying case with name tag.

Communicatio I communicate with parents through Parent Connection, email, and parent-teacher
n with Parents conferences. Please schedule an appointment if you would like to meet.
The quickest way to contact me is through email at maklynn.stclare@venturausd.org. I
will make my best effort to contact you within 24 hours of receiving a message from you.
You may also visit our website for school updates at http://dataschool.org/.

I have read the syllabus and understand the classroom and technology expectations,
homework policies, and assignment requirements. Lets make it a great school year!
Student Printed Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________

Student Signature:_____________________________________________________________

Parent email (current) __________________________________________________________

Parent Printed Name: _______________________________________ Date: ______________

Parent Signature: ______________________________________________________________