Parent Information Please read over this entire syllabus What is the Law & Justice Program? This program seeks to prepare students to work in careers like lawyers, judges, police, forensics, federal law enforcement, public safety, and similar areas. We also prepare students to be more successful in school by focusing on improving study skills, reading proficiency, composition, and similar skill sets critical to success in high school and the post-secondary environment. We are a career and technical educational program. What is Career and Technical Education (Career/Tech)? In previous generations vocational education provided courses like sewing, woodworking, and similar courses that were viewed as electives. These programs no longer exist. Education research showed that students needed comprehensive career preparation. About 10 years ago Cherokee County began career/tech education programs to replace vocational education. Career/tech classes teach academic content in the context of career subjects. Science, math, language arts, and even art are all incorporated in some elements of each course. When students participate in a career/tech education program they are able to better understand their overall educational picture because they are applying what they have learned in other courses to real world situations. Career/tech programs are also viewed as programs of study where students plan their high school schedules to take at least three years of career/tech courses in their area of study. Often the program of study is extended to include post-secondary plans. Students who participate in career/tech educational programs are more likely to participate in post-secondary education (college), more likely to have realistic career goals, more likely to be employed in jobs they like, and in some subgroups more likely to graduate high school. Most Law and Justice Program graduates identify the program as having the most positive influence in their high school experience. Do students always go into Law and Justice Careers? No, and that is not our objective. About 50% of students indicate a career goal in the areas we teach. After 11 years we have 14 students in law school, 4 local police officers, 2 federal agents, and about 20 others in some field related to the program and these are just the students who have contacted the program. But former graduates are also nurses, teachers, and even entrepreneurs. 100% of the last graduating class went to college. 98% graduated high school on time. Many graduates return to praise the program for helping them prepare for college and life in general which is our objective! Why do we fundraise? Being one of the best programs in the country cost money. The program receives some support from the school system, but the preponderance of our funding comes from fundraising. There will be a fundraiser that starts in the next few weeks. This supports lab expenses, subscriptions, learning materials, scholarships, field trips, and equipment. We try to minimize the amount families pay out of pocket for their student to compete. If our fall fundraisers are successful, we are done for the year. However, sometimes a spring fundraiser is done. Where does the money go? 100% comes back to the students. For example, equipment for the room and field trips. Who is the instructor? Mr. Curt Harrell began his professional career as a high school band director. After 5 years of service, he decided to seek a career in law enforcement where he advanced through the ranks until he reached the rank of Major of Operations with the Johns Creek Police Department. Feeling the need to pass on his law enforcement experience to high school students, he accepted his current position with the Cherokee County Board of Education. Mr. Harrell holds a Bachelor and Master s in Secondary Education from Troy State University and a
Master s Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. Mr. Harrell completed his Education Specialist Degree from Lincoln Memorial University in June 2011. Communication: Parents are encouraged to communicate openly with the instructor with any issues, concerns, or input. The instructor is highly approachable and values parental participation. We are beginning two ways to send information home. The first is QR codes and the second is text/email. Both the student and parent may sign up to receive text up dates. This will remind the student/parent of upcoming assignments and text. You will find attached the instructions for signing up. Page 2 of 11
River Ridge High School Law & Justice Program A National Partnership for Careers in Public Safety and Security Pilot Program Mr. Curt Harrell 400 ARNOLD MILL ROAD WOODSTOCK, GA 30188 770.591.8450 curt.harrell@cherokee.k12.ga.us Email: WashburnT@fultonschools.org Web Page 2012 2013 Course Syllabus Course Title: Instructor: Introduction to Law and Justice Mr. Curt Harrell Textbooks: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Glencoe (2007) Replacement Cost: $78 Georgia Law Enforcement Handbook, Harrison (2007) Replacement Cost: $52 Resources: Description: College Credit: Contact: Page 3 of 11 River Ridge Criminal Justice Media Collection Criminal Justice Computer Lab and Internet Stations Various CD-ROMs and software programs Numerous guest speakers Students will examine the basic concepts of law related to citizens rights and officers responsibilities to maintain a safe society. This course begins with a study of various careers in public safety. The course will explore the history and development of law enforcement in the United States. Students will then examine the components of the criminal justice system, including the roles and responsibilities of the police, courts, and corrections. Additionally students will learn the classification and elements of crimes. Students will receive instruction in critical skill areas including communicating with diverse groups, conflict resolution, the use of force continuum, report writing, operation of police and emergency equipment, and courtroom testimony. Career planning and employability skills will be emphasized. Lanier Technical College offers a Criminal Justice Specialist for program students who complete three years in the Law & Justice Program, take an online Corrections class, complete a technology proficiency (either taking an online course or testing out), and maintain an 85 average in each year course. This course counts toward a college certificate, but students must complete all requirements to qualify for college credit. Parents and students should feel free to email me: curt.harrell@cherokee.k12.ga.us.
Conferences: Conferences will be scheduled upon request. Every effort will be made to accommodate parent schedules. Email or call to arrange a conference. Help: Internet: Program Ideals: The instructor is available each morning for assistance, with the exception of Friday mornings. Afternoon time may be requested. Study sessions will usually be held usually the day prior to tests at 8:00 A.M. in the Criminal Justice Lab. Our program s website will host all student work and needed materials. If a family does not have home internet the program computer lab is open each morning from 8:00 until 8:30. This program strives to prepare students for careers in all areas of criminal justice. Critical in all areas of study are various qualities we want to develop in our students. The three key program ideals were formulated from these various qualities. Our program ideals are Valor, Integrity, and Service. Valor - bravery in the face of adversity. Integrity - not only knowing what is right, but choosing it. Service - dedicating time and energy to make our community better. Expectations: In addition to the student responsibilities outlined by the school, the following procedures will be followed in this class: Racism (and other isms) will not be tolerated Treat others with respect Honesty is EXPECTED Be on time Find solutions not excuses Act responsibly Classroom Management Plan: Attendance: Units Media: Page 4 of 11 Students not complying with classroom rules will be assigned private detention. Students assigned private detention will be expected to perform minor chores around the program. Students will not be admitted late. Missed detentions will result in office referral. All rules identified in the student agenda will be enforced. Attendance is critical for a student to fully benefit from this program. Many skills taught are not offered again after their presentation in class. Frequently students who are absent also affect other students due to the use of groups for learning. Unexcused absences also have a direct detrimental effect on student s grades. Tardies are handled by the administration. Note this curriculum is under development and may change 1. Careers in Law & Justice 2. Overview of the Criminal Justice System 3. Basic Criminal and Constitutional Law 4. Police Reports 5. Use of Force 6. Approach and Arrest of Suspects 7. Patrol Operations 8. Traffic Codes and Investigations 9. Community Policing, Conflict Resolution and Cultural Diversity 10. Sentencing and Correctional Issues 11. Agency Administration 12. Ethics in Law and Justice The program uses various videos, DVDs, audio tapes, programs, and similar media that may contain profanity, nudity, and/or gruesome images as a part of the class. While all
efforts are made to minimize such material, it is sometimes unavoidable in the course of addressing some course content (i.e. autopsies). Never is such material used in a gratuitous manner. Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor. Page 5 of 11
Evaluation: 30% Unit Assessments Projects, Tests, and other assessments. 15% Final Exam Each semester has a comprehensive final. 25% Lab Grade based on participation and completion of assignments 10% Homework A variety of outside class activities will be assigned. 20% Current Events Current events are due each Friday. The student will read and present an article to the class dealing with public safety. 100% Total Labs: Lab Attire: Labs are hands-on learning experiences. Labs range in topics from basic self-defense and handcuffing to fingerprinting and first aid. Students may receive a zero for a lab due to behavior that could result in injury or not wearing appropriate attire. Due to the hands-on nature of labs, students will have a mandatory dress code for lab days. They are required to wear a shirt that covers the same area as a t-shirt (as worn by most adults). It is preferred that the student wears long pants, but modest shorts are permissible. Shoes must be rubber soled with a non-skid surface that completely covers the toes. High heels, sandals, bare feet, and cowboy boots are prohibited. Students not dressed appropriately will not participate and will receive a zero for that day s lab grade. Late Work: Make-Up: Recovery: For each school day an assignment is late a letter grade will be taken away. It is the student s responsibility to get assignments missed and to complete them. Students have ten (10) calendar days from the day they return to school with which to complete ALL make up work. Exemptions to this must be negotiated on the day the student returns to school. Failure to make up work in this time frame will result in a ZERO. Please also note that all unexcused absences (per school policy) have a 10%/10 point penalty. Days for make-ups are daily at 7:45 AM. Appointments set a day in advance are required. Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades. Plagiarism: Dishonesty is not tolerated. This is especially true in submitted work. Any thought that is not your own used in assessments must be noted. Assume all work assignments are to be your own work unless told otherwise. A copy of River Ridge citation policy is available in the Media Center. NOTE: I use various plagiarism programs when evaluating student work. Any student who cheats or plagiarizes will face the full penalty that the school provides through the honor code policy. Media Release: The Law & Justice Program as well as Skills USA is active in many community events, and our activities are frequently published in local newspapers, newsletters, and publications. Students are often photographed, interviewed, and quoted for use in such media. Please contact the instructor with any questions or concerns. Place this syllabus in your class notebook! Page 6 of 11
Student Information THIS SHEET IS TO BE TURNED IN BY FRIDAY (Keep the other part of syllabus in class notebook) Last Name: First Name: Preferred Name: Home Phone #: Student Cell #: Address: City: Student Email: Zip Code: @ Special Information (anything about the needs or current circumstances of your student I might need to know): Parent Information: For emergencies and required notices. PLEASE PROVIDE ALL INFORMATION!!!!! Parent/Guardian Name: Relationship (father, mother, aunt): Day Phone #: Cell Phone #: E-Mail (print clearly): @ Sign here: YES, my child actually got this home to me and I read it! (This is their first GRADE!) Parent Signature Print Name Page 7 of 11
Cherokee County School District Science Laboratory Safety Rules & Procedures Adapted from Flinn Scientfic The purpose of science laboratory activities in the CCSD is to provide hands-on experiences that enhance the science curriculum in accordance w/ Georgia Performance Science Standards. Since many lab activities involve the handling of hazardous chemicals, safety is the top priority for students, teachers and parents. The following list of science rules and procedures must be followed by students at all times when participating in lab activities. Any violation of this agreement resulting in unsafe conduct will result in being removed from the lab and receiving disciplinary action as well as a failing grade on the lab. SCIENCE LABORATORY RULES & PROCEDURES: 1. Do not touch any lab materials until instructed to do so. (Remember that all materials are property of the CCSD and must remain in the classroom at all times. Transport of any materials from the lab is prohibited.) 2. Experiments must be monitored at all times. Do not wander, distract others, or interfere with other lab experiments. 3. Be prepared. Read all directions and procedures before you begin. Act responsibly ~ horseplay is dangerous and will not be tolerated. 4. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction, ask the teacher before proceeding. 5. Never work alone. No student may work without an instructor present. Unauthorized experiments are prohibited. 6. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the lab. Do not use glassware as containers for food or beverages. 7. Know the locations and operating procedures for all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, safety shower, fire extinguisher and fume hood. Know where the fire alarm and exits are located. 8. Use the fume hood when working with volatile substances or poisonous vapors. Never place your head into the fume hood. 9. Be alert and proceed with caution at all times in the laboratory. Notify the teacher immediately of any unsafe conditions you observe. 10. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and only solutions designated by the teacher. Insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink. Check the label of all waste containers twice before adding your chemical waste. Broken glass must be disposed of in a separate container marked Broken Glassware never in classroom waste containers. 11. Labels and equipment instructions must be read carefully before use. Set up and use the prescribed apparatus as directed in the laboratory instructions or by your teacher. 12. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands w/ soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean, rinse and wipe dry all work surfaces and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area. 13. Students are never permitted in the science storage rooms, chemical stockrooms, or preparation areas. 14. Know what to do if there is a fire drill during a laboratory period; containers must be closed, gas valves turned off, fume hoods turned off, and any electrical equipment turned off. Page 8 of 11
15. Handle all living organisms used in a lab activity in a humane manner. Preserved biological materials are to be treated with respect and disposed of properly. Specimens must remain in the classroom at all times. 16. When using scissors, scalpels and other sharp instruments, always carry with tip points pointing down and away. Always cut away from your body. Never try to catch falling sharp objects. Grasp sharp instruments only by the handles. Proper Laboratory Clothing 17. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, student will wear lab goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule! 18. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory unless you have permission from your instructor. 19. Dress properly during a lab activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry/loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot. No sandals or flip-flops allowed. 20. Lab aprons should be worn during chemistry lab activities and biology dissections. Accidents & Injuries 21. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. 22. If you or your lab partner are hurt, immediately yell out Code one, Code one to get the teacher s attention. 23. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 min. Notify the teacher immediately. Handling Chemicals 24. All chemicals in the lab are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you. 25. Check the label on chemical bottles twice before removing any of the contents. 26. Never return unused chemicals to their original containers. 27. Never use mouth suction to fill a pipet. Use a rubber bulb or pipet pump. 28. When transferring reagents from one container to another, hold the containers away from your body. 29. Acids must be handled with extreme care. Always add acid to water, swirl or stir the solution and be careful of the heat produced. 30. Handle flammable hazardous liquids over a pan to contain spills. Never dispense flammable liquids anywhere near an open flame or source of heat. 31. Never remove chemicals or other materials from the lab. 32. Be careful when transferring chemicals from one part of the lab to another. Hold them securely and walk carefully. Handling Glassware & Equipment 33. Carry glass tubing in a vertical position to minimize breakage/injury. 34. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands. Use a brush and dustpan to clean up the broken glass. Place broken glass only in designated waste containers. 35. Always lubricate glassware before attempting to insert it into a stopper. Protect your hands with towels or gloves when sliding the tubing into, or removing it from the stopper. If it becomes stuck take it to your teacher for assistance. Never force it. Page 9 of 11
36. Fill wash bottles only with distilled water and use only as intended. 37. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching. 38. Examine glassware before each use. Never used chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware. 39. Report any damaged electrical equipment immediately. Look for things such as frayed cords, exposed wires, and loose connections. Do not use damaged electrical equipment. 40. If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment, ask for help. 41. 41. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter. Heating Substances 42. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame. Do not put any substance into the flame unless instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Light gas burners only as instructed by the teacher. 43. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use. 44. You will be instructed in the proper method of heating and boiling liquids in test tubes. Do not point the open end of a test tube being heated at yourself or anyone else. 45. Heated metals and glass remain very hot for a long time. They should be set aside to cool and picked up with caution. Use tongs or heat-protective gloves if necessary. 46. Never look into a container that is being heated. 47. Do not place hot apparatus directly on the laboratory desk. Always use an insulating pad. Allow plenty of time for hot apparatus to cool before touching it. 48. When bending glass, allow time for the glass to cool before further handling. Hot and cold glass has the same visual appearance. Determine if an object is hot by bringing the back of your hand close to it prior to grasping it. Sign and Return the Safety Agreement by Friday Web Page Page 10 of 11
Student Laboratory Safety Agreement Student Name: Date: Teacher Name: Questions: (circle answers) Do you wear contact lenses? Yes No Are you color blind? Yes No Do you have allergies? Yes No If yes, please list specific allergies I, (student s name) have read and agree to follow all of the safety rules set forth in this agreement. I realize that I must obey these rules to insure my own safety, and that of my fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my instructor and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety agreement that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior ion my part may result in being removed from the laboratory, detention, receiving a failing grade, and/or dismissal from the course. Date: Student Signature Dear Parent or Guardian: We feel that you should be informed regarding the school s effort to create and maintain a safe science classroom/laboratory environment. With the cooperation of the teachers, parents, and students, a safety instruction program can eliminate, prevent, and correct possible hazards. You should be aware of the safety instructions your son/daughter will receive before engaging in any laboratory work. Please read the list of safety rules attached. No student will be permitted to perform laboratory activities unless the lab safety agreement is signed by the student and the parent/guardian. Your signature on this agreement indicates that you have read the Cherokee county School District Science Laboratory Safety Rules and Procedures, the lab safety agreement, are aware of the measures taken to insure the safety of your son/daughter in the science laboratory, and will instruct your son/daughter to uphold his/her agreement to follow these rules and procedures in the laboratory. Date: Parent/Guardian Signature Parent/Guardian E-mail Page 11 of 11