Rivera High School

6955 FM 802 Brownsville TX 78520

Career and Technology Education
2024-2025
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Course Project Lead The Way – Computer Science A

Room E135
Instructor Melinda H. Zarate
Phone Office: (956) 698-0919
Conference 5th period (12:05 – 12:50)
Email mhzarate@bisd.us

Class:
PLTW-Computer Science A --------------------- 36 weeks 1 Credit

Course Description:
Throughout the Computer Science A course experience, students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing,
and testing code as they explore concepts like modulatory, variables, and control structures. Fundamental topics in this course include
the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of
algorithms to process data and discover the new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications
of computing systems. The course emphasized object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
PLTW is recognized by the College Boards as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP Computer
Science A (AP CSA). The endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSA’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum
Framework standards and the AP CSA assessment.

Materials Needed:
Students are required to bring to class the necessary supplies to take notes such as pencils, pens and paper or notebooks.
A folder in the file cabinet will be provided to students to safe keep all handouts and printed assignments. It must be maintained as it
will be graded every three weeks, this may be applied to a folder in Google Drive that will be assigned and shared with them.
Students will be taught on using the campus network and the district cloud, as well as Google Drive.

Grading Policy:
You will have quizzes over vocabulary, concepts, and procedures. In addition, you will be evaluated per project assigned and daily
work. Every day, the student will work on the given assignment. In addition, the student will keep a folder with all the class lectures
notes, writings and tests. Also, the students will have a comprehensive exam every six weeks. The students will be required to submit
an end of semester group project.
.
Daily work: 40 %
Major Assignment/Test: 60%
36 Weeks Average: Averaging 3-6 weeks plus Final Test Divided by 4

Attendance:
According to district policy, the students are required to attend 95% of all the days the class is offered. Students failing to meet the
attendance requirement in this class will lose credit and must file an appeal. This appeal must include justification of all the absences
beyond the number allowed. Attendance is taken daily!

Punctuality:
All students are expected to be in the classroom no later than the tardy bell ready to work. The district is no longer issuing tardy
passes; however, the students that are late will be documented in eSchool.

Make-up Policy:
You are responsible. Borrow notes from a fellow student. If you missed a class day, call a friend, ask the audience, or ask the instructor, but find out
what you missed and when the next exam is. Class information is posted weekly to the class website and Edmodo group. Links are provided:
http://riverait.weebly.com
http://classroom.google.com
Retesting: You must complete the retest request worksheet in order to retake a retest. Retests are taken during your lunch period or
after-school. Make an appointment with me for a retest. A Retest must be taken within five school days. Retesting is done only in
major tests.

Passes: Passes will be issued only in emergencies. Restroom passes will be limited. No passes will be issued during the first and last
15 minutes of each period. Students not signing out and taking the pass with them will not be allowed out again.

Class Rules: The rules have been set, in order to maintain a positive learning environment where all the students are treated with
respect, and everyone has the same educational opportunities. The electronic devices must be completely turned off during this class
and music cannot be listened to while working on the computers as per BISD Policy. These are the basic rules in the classroom, they
are very simple and are based on principles of respect:
 Respect each other: Be polite and never put anyone down including yourself. This means no bullying, no foul
language, and certainly no arguing/fighting. You don’t have to agree, but you will respect others’ thoughts & ideas.
When visitors or appraisers arrive to the classroom, you must show respect as well.
 Be Responsible: In other words, bring your own class materials, do your assigned work in and out of the classroom
and keep your test to yourself.
 Positively contribute to the class: Pay attention to the lectures and instructions from your teacher, bring a positive
attitude to the class and engage in class discussion. If there is a problem, think of a solution before presenting the
problem.
 Be punctual: I teach bell-to-bell, so be on time! Come to class ready to work. All assignments have due dates…meet
them to avoid lost points and lower grades. Late work is accepted but a 10% of the grade will be deducted.
 Take care of the classroom: Maintain your work area clean. This is a shared area, and we all need to do our part.
Do not write on equipment and/or furniture and walls. Do not mess with and/or vandalize equipment or furniture. If
you see graffiti or writing, please report to me immediately. I would hate to blame you for what someone else may
have done, because you failed to let me know.
 Keep your Personal Electronics Put Away: As per our district policy and classroom rule, cell phones or other
electronic devices will only be allowed when utilized for an assignment and teacher gives prior consent. If the
student fails to comply, the device will be confiscated and turned in to the office. Upon arrival into the classroom,
students will be required to deposit their phones in their assigned drawer of the class charging station. It may be
retrieved upon class dismissal. The teacher is not responsible for chargers and/or electronic devices left behind.
Your device…your responsibility. Music is not a privilege allowed during class/lab time…it will be allowed at my
discretion.
 I dismiss the class, not the bell: You are to be seated and quiet before I dismiss class. If one person is not in
compliance, everyone waits until all are seated and quiet.

Progressive Discipline: You disrespect me, your classmates, and yourself when you do blatantly and knowingly break a rule. In the
event that a student decides to break the classroom rules, a progressive discipline will be used to assist the student to understand a
problem exists so he/she can correct the behavior. The steps of this process are:
 Redirection Visual or Verbal Warning
 Warning
 Teacher/Student Conference
 Parental Call
 Office Referral

I am generally easy-going, but I do maintain a strict classroom. Our goal is to help you be successful in your endeavors in this class.
We can easily achieve this when we work as partners. My job is to help you understand the material, your job is to make every effort
to do so. Together, your goals in this class will be met and so will mine!

I agree that I received a copy of the class syllabus and computer lab policies for the school year 2019-2020.
I will comply with the requirements of this class. Failure to comply with the class rules will cause a disciplinary
action in accordance with the class progressive discipline which is posted in the classroom, and it may include
losing my computer privileges and others determined by school administration.

_______________________________________ _______________________________________
Student date Parent/Guardian date