Welcome to your next best year at DSOA.  

"Sapere aude"— Dare to Know. 

An ancient African proverb:

* Every morning in Africa, a gazelle awakens. It knows it must run faster than the lion or it will be killed.

* Every morning in Africa, a lion awakens. It knows it must run faster than the gazelle or it will starve.

* It does not matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.

Every morning at DSOA, students, from all over the county and from all walks of life, run to experience our unique school. Each brings certain experiences and expectations that we do our best to meet.

So, like the gazelle and the lion, I, too, wake in the morning running. The difference is that I run to use the best technology and ideas to present new concepts and concerns that lead to a better understanding of the stories and ideas found all around, each and every day. 

Please note that I will always do my best to meet your emotional and academic needs, including providing accommodations and modifications that comply with Section 504 Accommodation Plans and the ADA.  As such, please feel free to email me if you have questions or have additional information that would help improve the climate in the classroom.

Thanking you in advance for the opportunity to speak with you.  Please feel free to email me if you ever have any questions. Sapere Aude! 

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Please review the various pages on this classroom website.  The classroom website is also my course syllabus so you can refer back to it at your convenience.  Please complete and return the Ehrlich’s English: SYLLABUS and Procedures Acknowledgment Letter after you reviewed the classroom website / online syllabus.

• STUDENTS NEED A BINDER OR NOTEBOOK, filled with PAPER.  I prefer all notes be taken ON PAPER only. Google Slides will often be provided to supplement these notes. 

• Notes, many in-class assignments, and longer essays will be, generally, written on paper. 

• Bring your CHROMEBOOK each day for class. Students click on the CLASSWORK tab at the top-center.   Assignments*, notes, quizzes, lessons, etc. will be posted by date for everyone's convenience.   

• Computers/Chromebooks, generally, will remain closed for lessons, except for when completing assignments.  

• CELL PHONES, AIR PODS, etc. should NOT be out in class. There is a PHONE STORAGE in the room. 

NOTE: If you ARE ABSENT for ANY reason (SRA, illness, etc.), CHECK THE GOOGLE CLASSROOM!  

*MANY assignments in this class are designed for THINK * SHARE * PAIR (collaborative) groups. So, ATTENDING CLASS is PARAMOUNT and can/will likely affect the grade!  PLEASE review the "Attendance, Participation, and In-Class Assignments" and the "Classroom Expectations & Managing Personal Needs" sections noted at the bottom of the page. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the lessons and activities posted as well.  NOTE: I am always looking for ways to improve the course AND this classroom website, so feel free to email me with suggestions as well as any concerns. 

As you may know, I have been teaching for over thirty years, both in the United States and in England (can you imagine... I taught Shakespeare to the BRITISH, ha).   I started my career teaching both full-time and part-time at various colleges before landing at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.  

As you will see, I am "fairly" technically literate, having taught online as well as in the classroom for Palm Beach County Schools, for Florida Atlantic University, and for Palm Beach State College. In addition, I am certified by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) in Effective College Instruction.  Also, I spent the summers of 2024 and 2025 writing curriculum for Khan Academy and Palm Beach County Schools to help teachers use a student-centered approach when utilizing AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the classroom.  I am also already versed in several LMS online educational environments (Canvas, Blackboard, Google Classroom Suite, SIS, Edline, etc.).  

Again, feel free to email me with suggestions, questions, and comments.  I am here FOR YOU.   

Another day in paradise,

Mr. Richard Ehrlich

• NOTE: PLEASE remind me at richard.ehrlich@palmbeachschools.org if I taught someone in your family over the last three decades. 

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As you will see, I am a BIG user of technology (and anything else) that makes the class more fun and interesting.  I made a WISH LIST of items on AMAZON. If able, ANY donation of items will be MUCH APPRECIATED to make the class GREAT!!! 

CLICK HERE for my Classroom "Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams" List, posted on Amazon 

ANY donation of items is MUCH APPRECIATED* to make the class... MAGICAL!!!  

*Thank you! In addition, we always need tissues and paper, too.