Course Syllabus- Independent Study Mentorship (ISM)

Advanced Academic Course

7499- Multidisciplinary / 7599- Health Science Technology
Fall 2015
Teacher: Kristi Click, RN, BSN, MS
Room #: 2525
School Phone: (281) 284-1300
Voice Mail: (281) 284-6809
E-Mail: kclick@ccisd.net
Teacher Conference: 2nd Period (8:15-9:05 AM)
Tutorials: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30-3:15 PM or by appointment

Course Description
The Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) Advanced Academic course is designed for students wishing to mentor
an adult professional in a chosen career. With the mentor and the teacher-facilitator, each student will create a
unique plan of study and receive individual instruction. Students leave the high school campus and go to the
mentors place of business to study with professionals. This course is ideal for the self-motivated student with a
passion for a particular area of study. ISM is a one-semester class, but may be taken twice for state (DAP) credit.
Students in this course must perform at a collegiate or professional level. Students must provide their own
transportation to mentorship sites. This course is recommended for students in grades 11-12.

Course Requirements
1.

Complete an in-depth mentorship/study in an area of interest (must be approved by ISM teacher)

2. Document a minimum of 2 hours of mentorship activities each week (Mentorship Activity Log)
3. Complete a Journal Entry each week documenting your mentorship experiences (ISM Student Journal)
4. Complete an ISM Professional Portfolio (online format) showcasing assignments completed during the
course and the final project
5. Complete all of the required assignments (See Class Assignment Calendar and ISM Grading Sheet)
6. Complete a Mid-Term Presentation (must include PowerPoint)
7. Develop a final product and presentation at the collegiate/professional level that is presented to a panel of
graders at the conclusion of the semester (must include PowerPoint, visuals, completed product, portfolio
and handouts; See Product Guidelines section for guidance). The final presentation will count as the
FINAL EXAM Grade for this course. The grade is based on the Mentors Evaluation- 50% and Grader
Evaluations- 25% each of the presentation.
***There is no textbook for this course.

Grading & Attendance

How is the 9 Weeks Grade Calculated?
Major Grades (exams/tests, major projects)- 60%
Daily Grades (daily assignments)- 35%
Reading Grades- 5%
*Quizzes will count as 2 daily grades
**An initial orientation exam is given and students MUST pass this exam with a minimum grade of 95 before the student is
allowed to participate in ISM mentorship experiences. Students who have taken ISM in a previous semester and passed the
orientation exam with a grade of 95 or above will have the option to be exempted from taking it again.

Absences/Make-Up Work- Students are responsible for obtaining make-up work and for regularly checking
LinkEd/ItsLearning. The number of days allowed to submit make up work for full credit will be equal to the number
of days absent. Students needing additional time must seek teacher approval. ***IMPORTANT: Please note that

this is an Advanced Academic course and students are expected to perform at the collegiate level. As in the postsecondary setting, an absence does not excuse a student from turning in a long-term assignment/major grade
assignment on the due date. Even if absent (excused or unexcused), students are expected to turn in these
assignments by the scheduled due date or the late work policy will apply and the students grade will be penalized.
Late Work- Work must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Per district policy, assignments turned in after
the date and time established by the teacher will be accepted up to two class days late, but will only receive 75%
credit (25 points off). Late work received on the third class day will receive no credit (zero).
DAP Credit- Students must complete ALL course requirements, receive a grade of 80 or above for the semester
average AND final presentation, and complete 2 semesters of ISM to be eligible for DAP credit. Please see the
attached Distinguished Achievement Program, Advanced Measures informational handout.
Attendance- Students will be required to attend Class Days/Meetings during their ISM class period every
Monday, Wednesday & Friday as designated on the Class Calendar. In general, students enrolled in ISM have the
freedom to visit their mentor any time during their ISM class period (except for designated Class Days) or
during other non-school time hours (after-school, weekends, etc.). Typically, Tuesdays and Thursdays are not
designated as class days and are good days to meet with mentors.
Every day, students must sign-in/sign-out in the ISM Attendance binder. Students who fail to do so will be
counted absent.
1st Period ISM students must sign in before the bell rings to dismiss to 2nd period (before 8:09AM) on Tuesdays &
Thursdays. I will not write students excuses/tardy slips for being late t0 2nd period. Students who do not sign in
prior to reporting to 2nd period will be marked absent.
6th/7th Period ISM students will have the option of signing out on Tuesdays & Thursdays after reporting to the
classroom. Students are expected to arrive to class prior to the tardy bell even if they are planning to sign out.
Students who are tardy will be marked accordingly for attendance.
Many students find it impractical to visit with their mentor during their ISM class period. If you do not plan to
leave campus to meet with your mentor during your ISM class period, you are expected to be in the ISM classroom.
You may use class time to conduct research or complete other ISM related assignments. Computers/StudentIssued Laptops may be utilized in the classroom for that purpose. ISM students may NOT loiter on campus during
their ISM class period! ISM Students must wear their CSHS and ISM ID Badge at all times while on campus or at
the ISM training/mentorship facility.

Staying Connected
Remind 101- I use this service to communicate safely with students and parents. I typically use this service to
send out reminder texts about upcoming due dates and other important ISM information. You can visit
remind101.com for more information about this service.
1st Period ISM Class- Text @ismper1 to 81010
6th Period ISM Class- Text @ism6 to 81010
7th Period ISM Class- Text @7ism to 81010
LinkEd/ItsLearning- This platform replaces e4/Blackboard. Since this is new to CCISD we are still building out our
course content and uploading important information to it- Think of it as a work-in-progress! Soon, course
information, such as this syllabus and course assignments/templates will be posted and available on this platform.

Classroom Rules & Expectations

Rules
1. Arrive on time and be prepared.
2. Treat everyone with respect.
3. Follow directions the first time they are given.
*Additionally, students are expected to follow all district and school rules.
Expectations
1. Enter and leave the classroom in an orderly manner. The teacher dismisses class, not the bell.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Begin working on your STAT Start-up/Warm-up as soon as the bell rings.

Sit in your assigned seat/area.
Keep work areas and classroom clean and organized.
Ask for permission to leave the room or to use computers.
Computers are to be used for educational purposes only. Only assigned websites may be accessed.
No food, drinks or gum in CSHS classrooms.
No primping hair/make-up, etc.
Always do your best.
BYOD should only be used for instructional purposes only. Devices may be taken up if used inappropriately.
Bring your Latitude/Venue and/or BYOD device to class on scheduled class days!

Classroom Discipline Plan

Consequences (If a student chooses not to follow a rule or class expectation)
1st Infraction: Warning
2nd Infraction: Student/Teacher Conference
3rd Infraction: After-School Detention with Teacher
4th Infraction: Parent Contact (E-mail/Phone Call)
5th Infraction: Disciplinary Referral to Principal
*Serious infractions may warrant direct disciplinary referral.
**BYOD should only be used for instructional purposes only. Devices may be taken up if used inappropriately.

Course Material/Supply Requirements

o

Computer Memory Stick/Flash Drive

(Optional- to be used for saving research and
multimedia presentations)
1 Folder for Keeping ISM
Paperwork/Assignments Organized

o
o
o

Writing Tools (pen, paper, pencil, highlighter)

School-Issued Laptop
ID Badge (School & ISM) Required

Secondary Student Honor Code

Learning is Essential for Liberty Thomas Jefferson
This Honor Code was developed by Clear Creek ISD high school students with the expressed intent to state that our Academic Integrity is
being challenged in the face of high stakes testing and reports of periodic cheating. Therefore, it has become a moral imperative that our work
ethic today will impact our future.
We believe the students of Clear Creek ISD subscribe to becoming self-directed learners and doing the best we can. Furthermore, we believe
that academic honesty is respecting yourself and others, as well as claiming your own work.
We believe students are responsible for maintaining and supporting the academic integrity of the school by completing all assigned work,
activities, and tests in an honorable process without engaging in cheating, fraud, plagiarism, or prohibitive electronic assistance. Through this
effort, we will become trusted members of society and prepared for the workforce of the 21st Century.
We believe teachers are responsible for monitoring students during all assessments and holding students accountable for cheating. We believe
that each class and teacher is only as strong as each individuals personal commitment to integrity, honor, and responsibility. Teachers are also
encouraged to have faith in their students success and for making sure the class is highly engaging.
We believe the measure of success of our school community is based on the success of our students so the consequences below shall serve as a
deterrent to a violation of this Honor Code and Our Academic Integrity. These consequences will be listed in our Secondary Student Code of
Conduct in addition to the In School Suspension consequence. As a result of clear and compelling evidence of students cheating
1. A student shall receive a 0 for the school work, and is subject to a U in conduct and disciplinary action (including ineligibility in the next
contest/game).
2. There will be no retakes for students who cheat.
3. Students who are enrolled in advanced academic courses (Pre-AP/AP) will be immediately removed from the advanced academic course and
placed in the next lower level class.
4. A student is not eligible for any final exam exemption.
5. A documented finding of academic dishonesty shall be reported on the students college application.
6. Students in violation of the Honor Code shall be immediately removed from the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society and
any other Honor Society that is an organized school event.

Course Syllabus & Handbook- Independent Study Mentorship (ISM)

Fall 2015
Student Agreement
_____________________________________________
Student Printed Name (Last, First)

____________
Grade Level

____________
Class Period

Please sign below to indicate that you have read the syllabus and student handbook for Mrs. Clicks Independent
Study Mentorship (ISM) course (Course Description, Units of Study, Grading Policies, Classroom
Rules/Expectations, Discipline Plan, Material Requirements, Teacher Conference/Tutorial Information, and Student
Honor Code) and understand what is expected of students taking this course at Clear Springs High School.

____________________________________
Student Signature

______________
Date

____________________________________
Parent Signature

______________
Date

Contact Information:
If Mrs. Click needs to speak to someone at home about academic/school issues, who is the best person to contact?
____ Mom

____Dad

____Guardian/Other:______________________________________

Please provide the contact information for this person.

________________________________
Name

________________________________
E-Mail Address

________________________________
Home Phone

________________________________
Cell Phone

_____________________________________________________________________
Other