Link to Pioneer PASS Contact Information Form HERE
Link to Pioneer PASS Weekly Schedules.
Pioneer Academic Support and Success Class (P. A. S. S.) Guidelines to Success
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to teach students the academic and executive functioning skills needed to be successful as Pioneer students and beyond. In addition, this course will address the soft skills necessary to interact with peers, teachers, and other adults they may encounter at school and in the work world.
Class Structure
Our class will be structured in the following way:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Grade Check
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework
Completion
Mini Lesson
Planner
Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mini Lesson
Missing Assignment Check
Possible Mini-Lessons and Soft Skill Development:
Emailing teachers: Questions, absences, missing grades, “issues,” etc.
Goal Setting: How can I make goals that are achievable?
Reading Strategies: How to extract more meaning from what you read
Notetaking Strategies: How to take notes that will help with test taking
Writing essays: How to be efficient with your writing
Grading 101: What is a GPA? What GPA do I need to make it to college?
Test Taking – How do I study for test and what do I do when I don’t do well?
Where will my grades take me?
College Visits: UofM, EMU, WCC – in cooperation with Pioneer Career Center
Grading: How to keep grades up? What to do if you get a low grade?
Getting involved @ Pioneer: Sports, clubs, student council, theater
Resume Writing: How to present yourself in a positive light
Volunteering: Ideas/action for community-based volunteering.
… additional topics will be added.
Field Trips and Guest Speakers
We will occasionally have guest speakers and/or take field trips to have experiences outside of school. Field trips will be educationally based and hep students visualize their future selves. For example, students may travel to Washtenaw Community College, Eastern Michigan University or University of Michigan for campus day visits or special programs for high school kids. Trips to Google and/or other local businesses will be considered.
Reading
Students should expect to read every day. They can read their book for English 9 or they may have a novel/book of their choice. Research is strong in that academic success is closely tied to every day reading for at least 10 minutes. I am happy to help kids find books they love and purchase copies for them. Any help and reinforcement you can give is much appreciated.
Student Evaluation
My system works by points. Each assignment or activity is worth a certain number of points. Each student’s percentage is figured by dividing total points earned by total possible points. Percentages are matched to letter grades based on grading standards in Powerschool.
Student progress during marking periods can be checked via Powerschool.
Semester grades are calculated by averaging the percentages for each quarter in the semester and the final exam as follows:
1st 9 weeks 45% 2nd 9 weeks 45% Final Exam 10%
Grading
The intent is not to add more homework to the student’s already heavy work load. Therefore, grades will be based on focused and consistent participation, planner checks, journaling, reading, and goal setting. Other categories can be added depending on teacher choice. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn .5 elective credit each semester.
Weekly Grade 80 points (20 points each category):
Planner – Keeping and Using a planner for homework tracking
Attendance: 20 points for no absences or tardies in ANY class.
In - Class Focus – Working independently during Homework Completion time.
No Missing Assignments for ANY CLASS – Completing ALL homework is important
Accountability for Class Time
Working together and building a sense of community is an important component to the learning experience. Students can expect class discussions/lectures, in-class assignments, journal writing, group/cooperative challenges, writing workshops and other daily activities. Therefore, consistent attendance is essential!
Extra Time
I am finding that students can do the work, they just need more time! My classroom and resources are open most every lunch. Also, I am available in the Learning Center in the cafeteria annex during 7th hour five days a week!
Donald J. Packard
MrPackard.com
Packard@aaps.k12.mi.us Best way to contact me
994-1905 x 38619 Please leave a message.
663-3949 Home in EMERGENCY.
Because my phone is in my classroom, it goes right to voicemail. Please leave a message that included your phone number and a good time during the day to return your call. I'll call you back as soon as possible.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I have read and understand the above course outline for Mr. Packard’s PASS Class
Parent Signature ____________________________ Date _____________
Student Signature ____________________________ Date _____________
Student Name Printed ________________________________ Hour ______
Link to Pioneer PASS Weekly Schedules.
Pioneer Academic Support and Success Class (P. A. S. S.) Guidelines to Success
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to teach students the academic and executive functioning skills needed to be successful as Pioneer students and beyond. In addition, this course will address the soft skills necessary to interact with peers, teachers, and other adults they may encounter at school and in the work world.
Class Structure
Our class will be structured in the following way:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Grade Check
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework
Completion
Mini Lesson
Planner
Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mentor Time
Planner Check
Read - 10 min.
Homework Completion
Mini Lesson
Missing Assignment Check
Possible Mini-Lessons and Soft Skill Development:
Emailing teachers: Questions, absences, missing grades, “issues,” etc.
Goal Setting: How can I make goals that are achievable?
Reading Strategies: How to extract more meaning from what you read
Notetaking Strategies: How to take notes that will help with test taking
Writing essays: How to be efficient with your writing
Grading 101: What is a GPA? What GPA do I need to make it to college?
Test Taking – How do I study for test and what do I do when I don’t do well?
Where will my grades take me?
College Visits: UofM, EMU, WCC – in cooperation with Pioneer Career Center
Grading: How to keep grades up? What to do if you get a low grade?
Getting involved @ Pioneer: Sports, clubs, student council, theater
Resume Writing: How to present yourself in a positive light
Volunteering: Ideas/action for community-based volunteering.
… additional topics will be added.
Field Trips and Guest Speakers
We will occasionally have guest speakers and/or take field trips to have experiences outside of school. Field trips will be educationally based and hep students visualize their future selves. For example, students may travel to Washtenaw Community College, Eastern Michigan University or University of Michigan for campus day visits or special programs for high school kids. Trips to Google and/or other local businesses will be considered.
Reading
Students should expect to read every day. They can read their book for English 9 or they may have a novel/book of their choice. Research is strong in that academic success is closely tied to every day reading for at least 10 minutes. I am happy to help kids find books they love and purchase copies for them. Any help and reinforcement you can give is much appreciated.
Student Evaluation
My system works by points. Each assignment or activity is worth a certain number of points. Each student’s percentage is figured by dividing total points earned by total possible points. Percentages are matched to letter grades based on grading standards in Powerschool.
Student progress during marking periods can be checked via Powerschool.
Semester grades are calculated by averaging the percentages for each quarter in the semester and the final exam as follows:
1st 9 weeks 45% 2nd 9 weeks 45% Final Exam 10%
Grading
The intent is not to add more homework to the student’s already heavy work load. Therefore, grades will be based on focused and consistent participation, planner checks, journaling, reading, and goal setting. Other categories can be added depending on teacher choice. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn .5 elective credit each semester.
Weekly Grade 80 points (20 points each category):
Planner – Keeping and Using a planner for homework tracking
Attendance: 20 points for no absences or tardies in ANY class.
In - Class Focus – Working independently during Homework Completion time.
No Missing Assignments for ANY CLASS – Completing ALL homework is important
Accountability for Class Time
Working together and building a sense of community is an important component to the learning experience. Students can expect class discussions/lectures, in-class assignments, journal writing, group/cooperative challenges, writing workshops and other daily activities. Therefore, consistent attendance is essential!
Extra Time
I am finding that students can do the work, they just need more time! My classroom and resources are open most every lunch. Also, I am available in the Learning Center in the cafeteria annex during 7th hour five days a week!
Donald J. Packard
MrPackard.com
Packard@aaps.k12.mi.us Best way to contact me
994-1905 x 38619 Please leave a message.
663-3949 Home in EMERGENCY.
Because my phone is in my classroom, it goes right to voicemail. Please leave a message that included your phone number and a good time during the day to return your call. I'll call you back as soon as possible.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I have read and understand the above course outline for Mr. Packard’s PASS Class
Parent Signature ____________________________ Date _____________
Student Signature ____________________________ Date _____________
Student Name Printed ________________________________ Hour ______
