Contact Information:
Email- vanessa.collier@houstonisd.org
FFA Website- www.Bellaire.FFAnow.org
**Conferences available with a prior scheduled date/time during my 7th period conference time. Other times may be available such as during lunch or before school with prior communication and arrangements made between student/teacher or parent/teacher.**
2024-2025 Class schedule:
First: Small Animal Management (Fall)/ Equine Science (Spring)
Second: Advanced Floral Design
Third: Advanced Plant and Soil Science
Fourth: Floral Design
Fifth: Floral Design
Sixth: Small Animal Management (Fall)/ Equine Science (Spring)
Seventh: Conference/Ag Barn
Grading Schedule:
50% Major Grades -- Major Exams, Major Projects, Major AET Online Recordbook Checks, Advanced Lab Reports, Special Projects, etc.
40% Daily Grades -- Quizzes, Homework, Minor Lab Reports, Daily Assignments, Short AET Online Recordbook updates, In-class participation activities, etc.
10% FFA Involvement -- Attending FFA meetings, events, community service activities, barn workdays, LDE’s, CDE’s, etc.
2024 - 2025 AFNR Courses Taught
130.20. Floral Design (One Credit)
General Requirements: This course is recommended for students in Grades 9-12. This course satisfies the fine arts graduation requirement.
Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources
Course Description: In Floral Design, students will acquire knowledge and skills related to the floral industry. Floral Design is designed to develop students' ability to identify and demonstrate the principles and techniques related to floral design as well as develop an understanding of the management of floral enterprises. Through the analysis of artistic floral styles and historical periods, students will develop respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures. Students will respond to and analyze floral designs, thus contributing to the development of lifelong skills of making informed judgments and evaluations. To prepare for careers in floral design, students must attain academic skills and knowledge, acquire technical knowledge and skills related to horticultural systems, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings. Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences in career and technical student organizations such as the National FFA Organization and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
130.02.70 Advanced Floral Design (One Credit)
General Requirements: This course is recommended for students in Grades 11-12.
Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, and Floral Design. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
Course Description: In this course, students build on the knowledge from the Floral Design course and are introduced to more advanced floral design concepts, with an emphasis on specialty designs and specific occasion planning. This course focuses on building skills in advanced floral design and providing students with a thorough understanding of the design elements and planning techniques used to produce unique specialty floral designs that support the goals and objectives of a specific occasion or event. Through the analysis and evaluation of various occasion and event types, students explore the design needs and expectations of clients and propose and evaluate appropriate creations. From conception to evaluation, students are challenged to create and design appropriate specialty floral designs that meet the needs of the client. Furthermore, an emphasis on budgetary adherence and entrepreneurship equips students with many of the necessary skills needed for success in floral enterprises. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings. Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences in career and technical student organizations such as the National FFA Organization and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
130.21. Advanced Plant and Soil Science (One Credit)
General Requirements: This course is recommended for students in Grade 12.
Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, Floral Design and Advanced Floral Design
Course Description: Plant and Soil Science provides a way of learning about the natural world. Students should know how plant and soil science has influenced a vast body of knowledge, that there are still applications to be discovered, and that plant and soil science is the basis for many other fields of science. Investigations, laboratory practices, and field exercises will be used to develop an understanding of current plant and soil science. This course is designed to prepare students for careers in the food and fiber industry. Students will learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge in a scientific setting. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills and technologies in a variety of settings. Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences in career and technical student organizations such as the National FFA Organization and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
130.8. Small Animal Management (One-Half Credit)
General Requirements: This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12.
Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources
Course Description: In Small Animal Management, students will acquire knowledge and skills related to small animals and the small animal management industry. Small Animal Management may address topics related to small mammals such as dogs and cats, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. To prepare for careers in the field of animal science, students must enhance academic knowledge and skills, acquire knowledge and skills related to animal systems, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer knowledge and skills in a variety of settings. Students are highly encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences in career and technical student organizations such as the National FFA Organization and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
130.6. Equine Science (One-Half Credit)
General Requirements: This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12.
Prerequisite: Principles of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources.
Course Description: In Equine Science, students will acquire knowledge and skills related to equine animal systems and the equine industry. Equine Science may address topics related to horses, donkeys, and mules. To prepare for careers in the field of animal science, students must enhance academic knowledge and skills, acquire knowledge and skills related to animal systems, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings. Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences in career and technical student organizations such as the National FFA Organization and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
Required Personal Supplies for ALL courses:
**EVERYONE MUST BRING A FULLY CHARGED COMPUTER TO CLASS EVERYDAY!!**
Other Personal Items: 1 pk.- black or blue pens, 1 pk.- 24 pencils, 2 pks.- 150 sheet lined paper, 1 pk.- map pencils, 1 pk.- thin markers, 1 pair- scissors, 2- large glue sticks, 1 pkg.- 11”x14” white cardstock paper, 3- large white poster boards
Special NOTES:
- PowerSchool will be the official gradebook system used to record student's grades.
- 10 pts per day will be deducted for any assignments turned in late. No assignment will be accepted after 1 week.
- Testing Day for CTE courses is on Friday's. However, if it is the end of a 6 weeks grading period usually students will be given their test on a Thursday in order to allow for retakes before grade verification deadlines.
- Retest attempts will be handled on a case by case basis for a maximum score of 70. Additional tutoring is required to retest and must be done within a week of the grade being posted on PowerSchool. (Please read our Bellaire H.S. Retake Policy)
Tutoring/Extra Help:
Students can usually come in any day during lunch "Cardinal Hour" for extra help or to make up a missed quiz, test, etc. However, students MUST get with me first and discuss what day they are wanting to come in versus just simply showing up. There are days that we have staff meetings, dept. meetings, FFA officer meetings or I'm out with students competing and will not be available. So please come talk to me so we can plan a day and time that's best!
Bellaire Retake Policy:
The purpose and intent of this policy is to provide each student with an additional opportunity to show mastery of content. The opportunity for a student to retake a major grade applies to a score less than 70 out of 100. (Please read our Bellaire H.S. Retake Policy)
The following will apply-
1. All students in AP/IB, Pre-AP, College Prep, and Academic classes in all content areas will have the opportunity to retake one major grade per grading cycle in each class. Retake opportunities are not available in Dual Credit classes.
2. The student must submit the completed retake request form to his or her teacher within one week of the grade being posted on Gradespeed. In turn, the teacher will inform the student whether or not he or she is eligible for the retake, per PLC policy. The teacher will notify the student of the time and location of the retake.
3. The retake must be of similar length and subject matter as the original test.
4. A PLC or department may decide to schedule all retakes at a specific time (before or after school or at lunch) and in a single location.
5. The student is expected to complete one or more of the following prior to the retake as determined by consistent PLC policy: (1) attend at least one tutorial, (2) have submitted any missing work for that grading cycle, (3) and/or completed test corrections.
6. If a student is caught cheating on a major grade, then he or she may not request a retake for that major grade. Per the HISD Code of Conduct, plagiarism is considered cheating.
7. The maximum grade received for a retake will be a 70. For example, if a student fails a major grade with a 55 and earns a 62 on the retake, then his or her final grade on the assignment/test will be a 62. If the student retakes and makes an 82, then their final grade on the assignment/test will be a 70. If student scores lower on the retake, then the original grade will stand.
8. All semester final exams are ineligible for a retake.
Students who abuse the current retake policy will be subject to administrative review. This review will be initiated by the teacher and referred to an assistant principal.
Absences:
It is the student’s responsibility to make up work that is missed due to absences whether the absence is due to sickness, injury, other extracurricular activities, etc.