Spanish 1 Disclosure

Spanish 1 Disclosure

Stacey Gibbs, Instructor

(801) 395-3350

staceygibbs@weber.edu

Class Website: https://sites.google.com/site/gibbsspanish1

COURSE DESCRIPTION

First-year Spanish is an exciting introduction to this wonderful and most useful language. Communicative skills will be acquired primarily through interactive stories that require students to participate in various ways. We will also learn about cultures and countries of the very diverse populations that make up the Spanish-speaking world.

 Class will be very fun as well as educational. Students will be expected to use the language on a daily basis, and as they work, they will gain confidence and competence. The class atmosphere will be very positive which will encourage students to feel comfortable and safe around their teacher and peers. After this year, students will be excited and prepared to take Spanish II.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will begin to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding in the target language. Many cross-curricular elements will also be emphasized in the diverse activities that will take place in class.

 TEXT

Teacher-provided reading assignments. If you lose your copy, you can get another at the class website.

EXPECTATIONS

 I expect the following of all students:

• • Be on time and prepared

  • Respect others and their property

  • Participate in class activities

  • Bring a positive attitude

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Reading assignments will be sent home on a regular basis throughout the school year. I expect each reading to be read aloud IN SPANISH to a parent or guardian and then to be carefully interpreted in English by the student. A parent or guardian signature will show that the assignment was completed in this manner, and the student will receive credit. These reading assignments are crucial to mastery of the concepts being taught in Spanish. I will send a memo home concerning these assignments by the middle of first semester.

GRADING

Please refer to the student handbook for school policies regarding grades and remediation. Students must keep current on assignments and be prepared for quizzes and tests. Participation points will be based on attendance, punctuality, behavior, and involvement in class activities.

Participation is a CRITICAL part of language learning! Lost participation points may be made up through extra participation. Extra credit may only be earned through extraordinary participation. Below is the breakdown of how grades will be awarded:

93-100% A

90-92% A-

87-89% B+

83-86% B

80-82% B-

77-79% C+

73-76% C

70-72% C-

67-69% D+

63-66% D

60-62% D-

Below 60% F

CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship grades will be given to students at the end of each semester. An unsatisfactory mark (U) at semester's end will require makeup work to be changed. Unsatisfactory citizenship marks can affect graduation status.

H - Honor                           Student shows excellence in all aspects of class.

S -  Satisfactory                    Student shows satisfactory behavior, preparedness, punctuality,

          and attendance.

N - Needs Improvement         Student has excessive absences/tardies (8-10 absences, 6 tardies per semester), does not give a good effort in class or has behavior issues. Excessive absences that are excused or are due to chronic illness will not affect citizenship.

U -  Unsatisfactory                  Student has excessive absences/tardies (12+ absences, 8+ tardies 

per semester), does not work, is disruptive in class, or is caught 

cheating. Excessive absences that are excused or due to chronic 

illness will not affect citizenship.

LATE WORK/RETAKES

Late work will be accepted but will be assessed a penalty of 20% of possible score per class period that it is late. The best way to learn and keep up with the class is to take homework seriously and consistently study. If a student is absent on the day of a test or project due date, a parent note with a valid excuse must be brought to me or a late score will be assessed. I will allow only one retake of every test/quiz provided that they are retaken before the cutoff date. Retakes must be done during lunch, before or after school, and must be prearranged with me. Retakes cover the same materials as the original test/quiz, but are not the same as the original.

CELL PHONE POLICY
Per Utah Code § 53G-7-226 (SB178)

1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to support a focused learning environment by limiting distractions
caused by personal electronic devices during instructional time, in compliance with Utah law.
2. Devices Covered
This policy applies to:
● Cellphones (smartphones, feature phones, flip phones)
● Smartwatches and wearable devices with communication functions
● Emerging technologies acting as an extension of a cellphone (including connected earbuds)
● Any non-school-issued personal communication device
3. General Rule
During classroom hours, students may not use, display, or access personal devices unless
expressly allowed under an approved exception. Devices should be silenced and stored in
backpacks, or classroom-designated areas.
Classroom hours include:
● All scheduled, teacher-supervised instructional time, including time when a teacher is not
engaging in actual instruction
● Virtual or in-person learning sessions during regular school hours
Classroom hours do NOT include:
● Lunch periods
● Time between classes
● After-school activities (unless part of an extended learning program)
● Independent study time outside of scheduled instruction
4. Exceptions
Students may use devices during classroom hours only if:
● Responding to an imminent health or safety threat
● Responding to a school-wide emergency
● Contacting or reporting via the SafeUT Crisis Line
● Required by a student’s IEP or 504 plan
● Addressing a documented medical necessity (with parent and administrative approval)
● Accessing WSU Duo login
● Given permission by the teacher
School staff must be notified of any exception related to medical or disability accommodation.
5. Additional School Restrictions
NUAMES also restricts device use during:
● Assemblies and school-wide instructional events
● Any time when directed by school staff for safety, testing, or academic integrity purposes
6. Enforcement and Consequences
Violations will be handled progressively:
Offense & Consequence
1st: Verbal warning + device stored until end of period
2nd: Device confiscated and held in office until parent retrieval
3rd: Administrative referral, possible loss of extracurricular privileges
Repeated: Individualized behavior contract and/or restricted device use for remainder of semester

Refusal to comply may result in disciplinary action per the school’s code of conduct.
7. Policy Review and Updates
Any updates to Utah law or best practices may result in a revision of this policy. The school will
provide notice of any changes.