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English Department

At SJHHS, English curriculum focuses on reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, and critical thinking. As students advance through the grades and master these skills and standards, they are able to exhibit with increasing fullness and regularity the capacities of the literate individual. All instruction is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards and is designed to prepare students for the rigors of college and career. Instruction seeks to prepare students for success both in high school and in life beyond high school.
ENGLISH TEACHERS

ENGLISH TEACHERS

Christy Bak-Boychuk  cbakboychuk@capousd.org 
Kathlyn Callier kccallier@capousd.org
Dominic Gaeta djgaeta@capousd.org
Janey Gidion jlgidion@capousd.org
Thara Knudsen   tcknudsen@capousd.org
Elizabeth Lagunas  eglagunas@capousd.org
Ruby Lagunas  rblagunas@capousd.org
John Lewis  jglewis@capousd.org
Zachary Mendelson zmmendelson@capousd.org
Tatum Moos tacmoos@capousd.org
Kaitlin Naccarato  knnaccarato@capousd.org
Eric Noble  ejnoble@capousd.org
Audra Sampson aksampson@capousd.org
Christina Santala cnsantala@capousd.org
Kenneth Soto  kmsoto@capousd.org
Leo Spengler IV  laspengleriv@capousd.org
Darcie Stress  dkstress@capousd.org
Jennifer Tatala jltatala@capousd.org
Diane Tucker dstucker@capousd.org
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT POLICIES

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT POLICIES

Level Down Policy
If a student chooses to drop a class level they will begin the new class with the grade earned in the previous course. The student will be required to complete pertinent work selected by the teachers of that grade level team. Any make-up work completed must be turned in within three weeks of transferring into the class. Students are responsible for participating in the current unit of study for the class they are transferring into. Participation includes, but is not limited to: daily classwork, newly assigned homework, reading of all literature deemed central to the unit curriculum, major projects, and summative assessments.
 
Plagiarism & Academic Honesty
Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will NOT BE TOLERATED in this class.  All essays must be turned into www.turnitin.com on time to be considered complete. If a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing, he/she will receive a zero on the test/assignment, a referral, and a parent will be contacted.
 
Right to Free Education
Please note that the Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Your right to a free education is for all school/educational activities, whether curricular or extracurricular, and whether you get a grade for the activity or class.  Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms for any school activity, nor can we require you or your family to pay security deposits for access, participation, materials, or equipment.
CLASSES CURRENTLY OFFERED

CLASSES CURRENTLY OFFERED

  • English I
  • English I Honors
  • English II
  • English II Honors
  • English III
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • English IV
  • Expository Reading and Writing Course (Senior English)
  • AP English Literature
STUDENTS WHO ARE COLLEGE & CAREER READY

STUDENTS WHO ARE COLLEGE & CAREER READY

  • They demonstrate independence.
  • They build strong content knowledge.
  • They respond to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline.
  • They comprehend as well as critique.
  • They value evidence.
  • They use technology and digital media strategically and capably.
  • They come to understand other perspectives and cultures.