| FAQs |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Are these courses sponsored or endorsed by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District?
2. Can my child sign up for more than one session?
3. How much individual instruction will my child receive?
4. What if my child doesn't like the course and wants to quit?
5. Are there any circumstances under which my child could be asked to leave the
course?
6. Will the students have homework?
7. Will there be grades?
8. Will there be a lunch break?
Q: Are these courses sponsored or endorsed by the Mt. Diablo Unified School
District?
A: No, they are not. Foothill-Northgate High School Prep Courses is a private, for-profit
company, owned solely by Mr. Jeff Spoden (Business Acct. Number 5011073, City of
Concord, CA). The company is renting space from MDUSD for use of the Northgate
facility.
Q: Can my child sign up for more than one session?
A: Yes, but the material in both sessions is the same. Your son/daughter would be
practicing the same skills during the secpnd session. However, since "practice,
practice, practice" is the key to success in most endeavors, your child would only gain
from doing the same work again.
Q: How much individual instruction will my child receive?
A: This really depends on how large the classes are. The courses aren't intended to be
the equivalent of tutoring sessions, which would be far more expensive ($50.00 per
hour is the standard rate these days). That being said, both Ms. Hackett and Mr. Spoden
will try to create opportunities to give students individual attention.
Q: What if my child doesn't like the course and wants to quit?
A: Resiliency and the ability to stick with commitments are important traits that both
parents and teachers try to foster in their kids. Therefore, there are no refunds after the
course has started. However, we want to do whatever we can to meet each child's
needs and create a positive experience for him/her. If there is a problem, the student
and his/her parent(s) should have a meeting with Mr. Spoden to talk about it and
develop a plan for solving that problem.
Q: Are there any circumstances under which my child could be asked to leave the
course?
A: Both Ms. Hackett and Mr. Spoden have long histories of getting along extremely well
with students, and being able to effectively manage a classroom. If there is any
disruptive behavior, they will probably be able to work it out with the "distracted" student.
If such conduct persists, however, parents will be contacted and warned that their
son/daughter must change his/her behavior or be dropped from the class. A meeting
with Mr. Spoden, the student, and at least one parent may take place at the parent's
request. If disruptive activity continues beyond this point, the student will be dropped
from the class with no refund of tuition. Similarly, if a single incident occurs that is
deemed severe enough for removal - theft, destruction of property, violence or threats of
violence, the offending student will be removed from the course with no tuition refund.
Q: Will the students have homework?
A: There will be some, but assignments will be reasonable. Students may be asked to
organize a binder or bring in a picture of an uncluttered work space. They may have to
finish a short essay of practice making 2-3 PowerPoint slides. This is summer, and we
want kids to enjoy the program, so we will be doing most of the work in class. Students
who don't do whatever homework we assign will not face any consequences. It will
simply be pointed out to them that they'll take more from the class if they complete the
few homework assignments we give.
Q: Will there be grades?
A: There will be no grades. Students will practice skills and will be made aware of both
strengths and areas for improvement.
Q: Will there be a lunch break?
A: There will be a 30 minute lunch break from 11:30am until noon. Students should
bring a sack lunch, and we'll probably take up a collection for pizza and soft drinks once
each week.
1. Are these courses sponsored or endorsed by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District?
2. Can my child sign up for more than one session?
3. How much individual instruction will my child receive?
4. What if my child doesn't like the course and wants to quit?
5. Are there any circumstances under which my child could be asked to leave the
course?
6. Will the students have homework?
7. Will there be grades?
8. Will there be a lunch break?
Q: Are these courses sponsored or endorsed by the Mt. Diablo Unified School
District?
A: No, they are not. Foothill-Northgate High School Prep Courses is a private, for-profit
company, owned solely by Mr. Jeff Spoden (Business Acct. Number 5011073, City of
Concord, CA). The company is renting space from MDUSD for use of the Northgate
facility.
Q: Can my child sign up for more than one session?
A: Yes, but the material in both sessions is the same. Your son/daughter would be
practicing the same skills during the secpnd session. However, since "practice,
practice, practice" is the key to success in most endeavors, your child would only gain
from doing the same work again.
Q: How much individual instruction will my child receive?
A: This really depends on how large the classes are. The courses aren't intended to be
the equivalent of tutoring sessions, which would be far more expensive ($50.00 per
hour is the standard rate these days). That being said, both Ms. Hackett and Mr. Spoden
will try to create opportunities to give students individual attention.
Q: What if my child doesn't like the course and wants to quit?
A: Resiliency and the ability to stick with commitments are important traits that both
parents and teachers try to foster in their kids. Therefore, there are no refunds after the
course has started. However, we want to do whatever we can to meet each child's
needs and create a positive experience for him/her. If there is a problem, the student
and his/her parent(s) should have a meeting with Mr. Spoden to talk about it and
develop a plan for solving that problem.
Q: Are there any circumstances under which my child could be asked to leave the
course?
A: Both Ms. Hackett and Mr. Spoden have long histories of getting along extremely well
with students, and being able to effectively manage a classroom. If there is any
disruptive behavior, they will probably be able to work it out with the "distracted" student.
If such conduct persists, however, parents will be contacted and warned that their
son/daughter must change his/her behavior or be dropped from the class. A meeting
with Mr. Spoden, the student, and at least one parent may take place at the parent's
request. If disruptive activity continues beyond this point, the student will be dropped
from the class with no refund of tuition. Similarly, if a single incident occurs that is
deemed severe enough for removal - theft, destruction of property, violence or threats of
violence, the offending student will be removed from the course with no tuition refund.
Q: Will the students have homework?
A: There will be some, but assignments will be reasonable. Students may be asked to
organize a binder or bring in a picture of an uncluttered work space. They may have to
finish a short essay of practice making 2-3 PowerPoint slides. This is summer, and we
want kids to enjoy the program, so we will be doing most of the work in class. Students
who don't do whatever homework we assign will not face any consequences. It will
simply be pointed out to them that they'll take more from the class if they complete the
few homework assignments we give.
Q: Will there be grades?
A: There will be no grades. Students will practice skills and will be made aware of both
strengths and areas for improvement.
Q: Will there be a lunch break?
A: There will be a 30 minute lunch break from 11:30am until noon. Students should
bring a sack lunch, and we'll probably take up a collection for pizza and soft drinks once
each week.
| Practice |
| Speak |
| Believe |
| Succeed |