• Zachary Ostrand (Mr. Z)

    Zachary.Ostrand@dvusd.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

    Transition Exploration

    Room CC 308

    -A student will be marked late/tardy if they enter the Zoom session late or disengages/leaves the class early.

    -All assignments can be turned in for full credit at least 2 weeks after the due date. *For teacher information: Next steps after 2 week mark is PLC/department discretion. This includes long-term assignments. Assignments can be turned in up until one week prior to the last day of the semester.

    -Teachers will provide one retake opportunity on assessments to earn a better grade, up to full credit. Teachers will determine steps to practice, learn, and prepare for the assessment retake.

    -All students will adhere to the DVUSD Student Norms in a Virtual Learning Environment and to the DVUSD Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

    Course Description:.This course will provide foundations for high school success. Topics will include but are not limited to high school success strategies such as note taking, organization, study skills, time management, self awareness, active engagement, healthy lifestyles, self determination, career exploration and conflict resolution.

    Grading: Grades are determined by the student’s cumulative earned points during the semester. The earned points are weighted differently and distributed into different categories as shown below:

    Grade Distribution:

    Semester grades are determined by the coursework (18 weeks weighted by 80%) and the final exam and/or final project (weighted at 20%).

    Course work is 80% of the semester grade

    Course work categories and weights are as follows:

    • Class work 40%
    • Homework 30%
    • Bell work 10%
    • Test/quizzes 20%

    Comprehensive final exam is 20% of the semester grade.

    Report Cards: In an effort to conserve resources and harness the capacity of our electronic grade reporting program (PowerSchool), district schools will no longer print hard copies of report cards unless requested by individual parents. To request a hard copy of your student’s report card, please contact the front office at 623-376-3000. To receive your Power School login, please stop into the office with a valid photo ID.

    Power School Online Access: Grades and attendance may be accessed 24 hours a day online with your Power School access code. Access codes are available in the Administration office Monday – Friday 7:00 – 3:30. You must provide picture ID to be issued a code. You may check student progress regularly on the Power School site using the same login for one or more students. For Mountain Ridge parents/guardians without home computer access, a computer with guest login capability is available in the Counseling Conference Room.

    Course Rules: I have the following expectations of my classroom.

    1. Treat self and others with respect and dignity. Listen when others are speaking. Only one person will talk at a time. No put downs or profanity and please be considerate of others.
    2. Take responsibility for your own actions. There are consequences for both your positive and negative behavior.
    3. Be open-minded and communicate honestly. If you have a conflict with anyone, including your teacher, contact him or her quietly and privately. Conflict does not need an audience.
    4. Be prepared to learn and participate. Bring pen/pencil to class every day. If you bring all of your materials to class you will be on your way to being successful. Be in your seat when the bell rings; do not pack up until I let you know that class is over. I dismiss you, not the bell.
    5. Have pride for your campus and community. No hats in the building.   Do not use your cell phone in class (in any manner). Clean up after yourself, do not bring food or drinks to class, and leave the classroom clean.

    Academic Assistance/Office Hours: In addition to the Academic Prep times built into our schedule each week, additional assistance/tutoring is provided on a weekly basis both by MRHS and individually by instructors. Those dates and times will be posted in the classroom and/or on my website at the start of each week. I will demonstrate to the students how to find availability each week.

    Daily Device Use-iPads: Students should come to school with their iPads charged and ready to use in each class every day. Within each classroom, there are three possible technology environments. Teachers will identify for students the environment expected during their class period. These environments are described below:

    Red: No device use allowed. Devices are to be off and put away. If a device is out and being used at this time, students may receive disciplinary consequences and/or zeroes if appropriate. This environment may be necessary for testing or non-electronic based assessments.

    Black: Limited device use allowed. Students may use devices in accordance with teacher instruction in a prescribed manner. Students may be asked to place devices face down on their desk until appropriate to use. Teachers may ask to see students’ open apps and require that all apps are closed with the exception of a specific one or two. Games should not be open in this environment unless the teacher indicates a specific game may be used.

    Green: Open device use. Students may use their device independently to take notes, complete assignments, conduct research, communicate with the teacher, check grades, and other appropriate educational uses of the device. Students should not access inappropriate content or cause disruption in this environment.

    Devices may not be used to record or take photos of other people without their consent. Consequences for classroom disruptions and misuse of devices will follow a progressive discipline model, beginning with a phone call home and progressing to office referrals for repeated or more serious offenses. Students who have devices out during a Red environment or during testing, may lose credit on their test or quiz. See the Student Rights and Responsibilities consequence chart in the handbook for more specific descriptions of infractions and consequences.

    Academic Integrity: As stated in the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards, students need to be college and career ready when graduating high school. To meet this standard, students will be expected to accurately and consistently cite all sources used in their work and to submit designated assignments to turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection service. If it is determined that student work is plagiarized, appropriate consequences will be enforced per school policy.

    Make-up Work and Long-Term Project Policies: After an absence, a student will have time to make up work/tests, regardless of the number of days absent. If many days were missed, please schedule an appointment with me to formulate a plan for the completion of make-up work. Make-up work for extended absences (over 3 days) may be requested through the Counseling Office and picked up there. Long-term projects are due on the due date.

    Making-up Quizzes and Tests: If you have an absence on a quiz or test day, you MUST reschedule with me upon returning to class. If you do not schedule a day and time to make up the missed test/quiz the day you get back, you will NOT be permitted to make up the test/quiz.

    Disciplinary Consequences: If you are unable to abide by the course rules, your consequences will follow suit in a succeeding manner (verbal warning, conference/detention with teacher + parent phone call, administrative referral + parent phone call). Major violations will warrant an immediate referral.

    Recommended Supplies for this Course:

    1. Blue or black pens or pencils.
    2. Highlighters (four different colors).

    Please Note: Students should download the MRHS app on their iPad and/or cell phone to access the MRHS Handbook and other important school documents and resources.

    Daily Device Use (iPads): Students should come to school with their iPads charged and ready to use in each class every day. Devices may not be used to record or take photos of other people without their consent. Consequences for classroom disruptions and misuse of devices will follow a progressive discipline model, beginning with a phone call home and progressing to office referrals for repeated or more serious offenses. See the Student Rights and Responsibilities consequence chart in the handbook for more specific descriptions of infractions and consequences.