Web Design - Guidelines - 2010-11

The purpose of the class is to develop each student’s Internet, reading and writing abilities while mastering vocabulary, spelling, critical thinking, studying, research and technological skills. As your instructor, it is my job to guide, nurture, assist and provide you with opportunities to gain the knowledge and tools you will eventually need to produce a school and school website and related websites. It is, however, your job to learn by taking advantage of the opportunities provided for you in this and your other classes. I can share my knowledge, assist you and show you the path but I cannot really “teach” you what you need to learn. It is you who must do the “learning,” therefore, the harder you work, the better you will master the skills.

                                                     It is your job to learn. This is why you are here.

I am serious about you understanding why you are here. You, your parents, and I, are all paying for your class time. None of us can afford to waste it, especially you. Therefore, our classroom will be our workplace. I am the manager and you are an employee. It is your job to complete the assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects required in your effort to gain the required knowledge. You will be paid accordingly with a grade, but most of all, in the attainment of knowledge that can never be taken from you and will be used by you for the rest of your life.

Web Design – Read Me
This course is designed to introduce students to basic html (computer language) as a foundation for understanding how the Internet works and how web pages work. Students utilize Dreamweaver 8 to create web pages, then websites, to be posted on the Internet. It is my hope that every student in the class will be able to create websites with strong content and graphics by the end of the course. I also hope that each student will learn that their ability to create is limited only by their imagination, which they can then use to assist others.

A Word About the ESLRs
I support Burbank High School’s Expected School-wide Learning Results, known as ESLRs. They are posted in our workspace and may be reviewed daily during class. You will be required, and given points accordingly, to complete one of the following statements on a regular basis throughout the semester using ESLR definitions:
1. I am an academic achiever because....
2. Examples of my critical thinking today were....
3. I was an effective communicator when I....
4. I am a responsible citizen because I....
5. I am learning to be a lifelong learner by....

A Word About Confidentiality
As a web designer in this class, you may be exposed to confidential school newspaper, yearbook, and website information. You are, therefore, required to respect the confidential status of such information at all times unless advised by Ms. Burnett that it is not necessary to do so. In other words, what happens in the newsroom (room 1141) stays in the newsroom.

Grading Policy
If needed, you will be required to periodically submit a printed copy of your online grade report with a written explanation or notation of any grading questions or issues you may have. Proof of your point must be attached to the grade report in order for me to revise an assignment's score. Semester finals are worth 15-20 percent of the semester grade. Grades will be assigned based upon the following grading scale:
A = 90 - 100% B = 80 - 89% C = 70 - 79% D = 60 - 69% F = 59% or less

Checking Student Progress
You and your parents/guardians will be able to check your assignment status 24-7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) via the Internet. Beginning on or about September 30, you will be able to locate the class link via my homepage by typing in the following URL: 
www.annenews.com
If you have a question or request, you can contact me anytime via my homepage or email:
anneburnett@burbankusd.org

Basic Rules 
1. Be prepared: Bring your pen, paper, notebook, homework, assignments, and books (as notified) to class daily.
2. Be respectful: Be kind and polite. Respect everyone’s right to voice his/her own opinion. Raise your hand and wait to be called upon before speaking. Do not talk or interrupt while the teacher or someone else is addressing the class. Respect all school property and the property of others. Take care of our computers and peripheral equipment.
3. Be attentive: Pay attention and keep all unnecessary items away from our work area. No gum, food of any kind, or drinks, except bottled water, are allowed in class. Again, no gum, food of any kind, or drinks, except bottled water, are allowed in class. 100 points will be deducted from overall score for one violation, 300 points for second violation, 600 points plus class suspension for third and each successive violation. No combs, makeup, money, toys or electronic items are allowed to be used in class without teacher's prior permission.
4. Be on time: Be sitting in your assigned seat, ready to work when the bell rings.
5. Be protective of confidential information

Citizenship
Students are required to be responsible citizens and promote academic achievement. Since web design class students serve as the staffs of the school's and its newspaper's websites, all students are expected to embrace the highest standards in representing Burbank High School. Students are to behave and dress in a professional manner, especially when representing the school, attending meetings, and/or selling advertisements for the sites. Students are expected to work independently and stay on task at all times. Computer games and/or exercises plus all student web pages are to be utilized ONLY with the express permission of the instructor.
• Students are expected to comply with Burbank High’s Safe and Orderly Guidelines and Discipline. In addition, students are required to comply with the Burbank Unified School District Acceptable Use of Technology Policy.
• Students are expected to act in a courteous and appropriate manner. They are to listen quietly and follow directions. To participate in classroom discussions, a student must raise his/her hand and wait to be called upon by the discussion leader.
• Students are to behave in the above manner and follow class rules when the teacher is absent and a substitute or another teacher is in charge of the class.
•Students are expected to join the PTSA (cost is $5.00). Extra credit points will be earned for this membership since the PTSA helps students do their jobs in journalism by supplying needed equipment and assistance.

Students will be given an outstanding rating in citizenship for excellent conduct, cooperation, class contribution, and observance of school rules. However, wasting your time or anyone else’s will not be tolerated. Students will be given unsatisfactory ratings for repeated violations of class or school rules, disruption, failure to bring materials, continual failure to complete assignments on time, and/or failure to stay for detention. All responses to class disturbances are at teacher’s discretion, referrals are grounds for dismissal from a school web project. Again, please refer to the Burbank High School Safe and Orderly School Guidelines and Discipline Rules.

About Due Process
Should it be necessary to be disciplined for any class rule or school policy violations, the following procedures will be taken:
1st offense: A phone call to parent/guardian--student will make the call from the classroom during class.
2nd offense: An immediate written referral to the discipline office.
3rd offense: An automatic one-grade deduction in citizenship grade for the semester (not just the five, ten, or fifteen week grade report).
4th offense: An automatic suspension and/or permanent removal from class.

Ethics
Students will be required to learn and adhere to journalistic ethical standards as established by the Society of Professional Journalists. You are expected to be a responsible citizen and behave honorably. Contented produced for and printed in the school newspaper must be truthful, factual, and balanced. Plagiarism, conflicts of interest, dishonesty, libelous statements, failure to respect or protect school equipment, and irresponsibility in any form will not be tolerated in this class. You are expected to be a responsible citizen and behave honorably. Cheating or violating journalistic ethics in any form AND/OR THE APPEARANCE OF CHEATING (including plagiarism) will result in a failing grade, an unsatisfactory citizenship grade for the semester, notification of your parent(s)/guardian and being dropped from class. Please refer to the Burbank High School Academic Honesty Policy.

Dress Code
Students are expected to comply with the Burbank High School Dress Code Guidelines.

PTSA
Student's parents are expected and encourage to join the BHS PTSA ($5.00) since they support our programs and often assist in providing equipment for the newsroom, helping students to do their jobs.

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices
Please refer to the Burbank High School Electronic Devices Policy except as noted in class by Ms. Burnett.

Tardies/Absences
A tardy is recorded on the attendance record each time a student is not in his/her assigned seat, ready to work when the bell rings. I will follow school policy. Please don’t be late to class. Please don’t make me mark you tardy! Remember, you are to be inside the classroom and seated when the bell rings. Students not in their assigned seats will be marked absent and must report to the office to be marked tardy and get permission to enter class. If a student ever leaves the classroom without instructor’s permission, he or she will be given an unexcused absence. Such an act constitutes defiance allowing the student to face the same penalties noted above for violation of school rules. Please refer to the Burbank High School Tardy Policy.

Attendance and Make-up Policy
Students are expected to develop life skills in good attendance and punctuality and must take responsibility for making up missed work in a timely manner under the following guidelines:
• Attendance in class is extremely important since class is where learning takes place.
• The student is responsible for making up all work missed (if possible) due to absences and meeting deadlines on time.
• Missed deadlines cannot be made up.
• All tests are to be made up immediately upon return to class by arrangement with the teacher.
• Students with unexcused absences cannot make up missed deadlines, other work, quizzes, or tests.
• Late assignments will only be accepted the day after they were due.

Class Materials
Students are responsible for bringing the following necessary materials to class every day (except as noted):
1. A recordable CD, DVD, floppy disk or removable (flash) drive.
2. Pencils, two #2.
3. Pens, blue or black ink.
4. A notebook with a calendar, assignment, and note-taking sections.

The Web – Writing with Magic
Students will experience a high level of academic learning in this class through the use of technology. Students will utilize the Internet for research and they will publish online versions of the school newspaper and create/manage a school website. Students will be required to adhere to the Burbank Unified School District’s Acceptable Use of Technology Policy. Students and parents need to be aware that students may be required to access the Internet during and outside of school as needed. As a student, you are expected to do your job by focusing on your specific assigned task(s) at all times while working on the Internet. Students will have computer access in class.

Please note: No student last names, personal addresses, phone numbers, class schedules or personal email addresses will be allowed. Your signatures, student and parent/guardian, signifying that you have reviewed these guidelines constitutes your permission for student’s likeness and/or first name or ID # to be used on the Internet for a student project or as part of my grades web page.

Assignments
Students are expected to demonstrate effective communication and critical thinking skills by turning in all class work on time, with the correct heading, typed and filed correctly in the correct computer file as instructed.
•Daily Exercises - As assigned.
•Work File - A manila folder to be provided to each student to keep in the classroom file.
•Regular Assignments - These will consist of interviewing, research, editing, rewriting, drawing, distributing and anything else assigned or required to produce and distribute the publications.

Permission to View Videos in Class
Various video and audio reports on or about journalism may be used as part of our regular curriculum. Your signature on these guidelines grants permission for your student to view/listen to one or more of the videos and/or audios in the context of our journalism curriculum.

Room Cleanup
Due to the shortage of custodians and the increasing need to minimize damage to our room and is equipment, classes will take turns cleaning the classroom every Friday. This includes picking up trash, sweeping and mopping the floor, cleaning desktops and computers, removing trash from desks, disposing of any gum found anywhere in the room, disposing of recycled paper, newspapers etc. All students will participate in the cleanup - there are no exceptions. This weekly exercise is an implementation of the BHS ESLR encouraging students to be responsible citizens by preserving and protecting school property paid for by tax dollars.

The California Standards: The Essential Skills You Are Expected to Learn
The lesson plans presented in our journalism class are designed to help you master at least the essential state educational standards listed in the state’s educational code covering the mastering of grammar, writing, oral and written expression, technological, reading. and critical thinking skills. THESE STANDARDS ARE POSTED IN OUR CLASSROOM. The material to help you will be presented in class, how hard you work at attaining and mastering the required skills is up to you.

Submitted by
Ms. Anne Burnett — Instructor [B. A. Journalism, M. S. Communication/Journalism (includes Cyberjournalism]
Burbank High School - Room 1141
818.558.4700 ext. 51141
anneburnett@burbankusd.org

Click here to print required response form--DUE: September 3, 2010