Dear 9th Grade Parents and Students:

As you may already know, my name is Ms. Stern and I am the instructor for English for Law and Finance. Thank you for taking the time to carefully review the important information below. Both students and parents should sign the last section and return it to me in order to indicate that you have received and read this information. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about this or anything else. I can be reached via email at sternbslf@yahoo.com or through the school's main office. I look forward to working closely with you all throughout the school year!

Very truly yours,


Ms. Stern



Course Description:
Through mastery of reading and writing English we will explore the fields of law and finance. The skills and knowledge gained in this class will facilitate each student’s ability to pass the required Regents exams and graduate high school with admission into a college of their choice. This class will demonstrate to students how achievement in their other subjects (Math, Science, American History and English) is critical if they desire success in the areas of law and finance. Students will also complete this course with the understanding that knowledge of law and finance is important regardless of the career path they eventually choose.

Course Goals:
     1. To improve students’ abilities to read and write in English.
     2. To facilitate students’ understanding of their core subjects by relating what is learned in Math, Science, American History and English to law and finance.
     3. To increase students’ enthusiasm for and knowledge of the fields of law and finance.

Topics to be Covered Include:
     • Career Skills
     • Workplace Communication
     • Politics and Campaign Finance
     • Economics
     • Investing
     • Media
     • Criminal Law and the Penal System
     • Personal Financial Management
     • Supreme Court Cases

Expectations and Consequences:
In our class we will…
     1. Show respect for ourselves, others and our school.
     2. Take personal responsibility for our actions.
     3. Come to class on time and prepared to learn.
     4. Help ourselves and each other to reach our academic goals.
     5. Consume food and drink (except water) outside the classroom.

When you are having difficulty meeting our class expectations, I will help you by doing the following:
     1. Giving you a verbal or nonverbal reminder of the expectations.
     2. Offering you the opportunity to correct your behavior and right any wrongs.
     3. Meeting with you to determine why you are having difficulty and to create a plan that will help you to meet the expectations.
     4. Conferencing with your parent/guardian to get their assistance and suggestions regarding how best to help you meet the expectations.

When you are meeting (or exceeding) our class expectations, I will be happy to…
     1. Credit you with helping to make our classroom a fun, productive and safe place to learn.
     2. Contact your parent/guardian to report your achievements.
     3. Meet with you during lunchtime to discuss your academic goals and progress.
     4. Provide you with recommendations to colleges and other programs you may wish to attend.
     5. Assist you in obtaining internships or entry into mentoring programs.
     6. Find opportunities for you to meet with professionals in the law and finance fields.
     7. Plan trips to colleges, courts, businesses and other places that interest you.
     8. Help you to achieve your academic, career and personal goals to the best of my ability.

Grading Policy:
40% Tests, Quizzes, Projects, Presentations and Portfolio (Students who miss the deadlines for these items due to an unexcused absence will receive a points deduction.)
20% Homework (Students may hand in late homework no more than three times per marking period. This includes late homework due to illness. Parents/guardians must conference with me via telephone before additional late homework will be accepted.)*
25% Classwork (Students will be producing important work during class time. This work cannot be made-up if the absence from class was unexcused.) *
15% Participation and Preparedness (This includes attendance and promptness. Excused absences and latenesses will not result in deductions in the participation grade.)*

* It is the student’s responsibility to contact classmates and/or meet with me in order to make-up any work missed due to an absence or lateness.

When you are absent:
     1. Have your parent/guardian notify the office that you will be absent at (718) 561 – 0113.
     2. Obtain the homework assignment for that day.
       a. Call or email a classmate.
       b. Check www.lawandfinance.org.
       c. Email Ms. Stern at sternbslf@yahoo.com.
     3. Ask a classmate for copies of that day’s notes and classwork.
     4. Obtain any handouts you missed from the handout folder.
     5. Bring in a note to your teachers explaining your absence.

REMEMBER!
     1. You are responsible for all the work you miss when you are absent.
     2. You will receive a zero for that day’s classwork and homework until you complete it and hand it in with a note that excuses your absence.
     3. If you cut class, you will not be able to make-up the work you missed.

In order to fully participate in my class, students will need to bring the following supplies to school each day:
     1. 3 pens (blue or black ink)
     2. 3 No. 2 pencils with erasers
     3. Manual pencil sharpener
     4. 1 three-ring binder
     5. Notebook paper (college-ruled)

It is suggested that students obtain the following supplies for use outside of school:
     6. Calculator
     7. Dictionary
     8. Thesaurus
     9. New York City Public Library card

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Homework #1

I have thoroughly read and understood the proceeding document, including the grading policy. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact Ms. Stern at the school’s main office or via email at sternbslf@yahoo.com.

Students, please complete this portion:
Student’s Name [print]: ____________________________ Section: __________________
Student’s Signature: ______________________________ Date: _____________________
Student’s email: ____________________________@______________

Parents/Guardians, please complete this portion:
Guardian’s name: _______________________ Relation to student: __________________
Guardian’s signature: ______________________________ Date: ____________________
Home phone number: ____________________ Work phone number: _________________
Cell phone number: ____________________ Email:___________________@___________
Would you be interested in volunteering in or outside of the classroom? YES o NO o
Would you be interested in speaking to the class about your career? YES o NO o

2nd Guardian’s name/Additional contact: _____________________
Relation to Student:___________________ Home phone number: ___________________
Work phone number: ___________________ Cell phone number: ____________________
Email:________________________@___________________
Would you be interested in volunteering in or outside of the classroom? YES o NO o
Would you be interested in speaking to the class about your career? YES o NO o

Is there any additional information or concerns you would like to share with me?
__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________