Cross Country/Track
- What is the difference between cross country and track?
- Are you, as Team Leader, the boss of your team teachers?
- Do I have to pass all my subjects to get promoted to 7th grade?
- My essay is on my computer, which just broke. Can I turn it in late?
- What is the penalty for late work?
What is the difference between cross country and track?
Cross country is one event, which is a two mile race run on
grass, roads, and dirt in parks, like Highland Oaks Park. The
season runs from early September to the end of October.
Track is a variety of running and field events done on and near a
track. We practice on the PE field at Highland Oaks. The season
runs from January to early March, with intramurals held in
December. In middle school, there are sprinting events (100 meter
dash, 200m, 400m), middle distance events (800m, 1600m),
and relays with a baton exchanged between runners on the team
(4x100m, 4x400m, 4x800m). Field events are the triple jump, long
jump, high jump, shot put, and discus throw. Thus, if you don't
like running 2 miles and want a variety of distances and events,
then don't come out for cross country. If you are
interested primarily in long distances, definitely come out for
cross country, and of course, run the 1600m for track!
We have strong teams at HOM. In 2007, the varsity girls cross
country team placed 4th in the Miami-Dade County finals. The
girls JV track team was runner-up in the Miami-Dade County 2006
championships, and the 2008 varsity girls team won HOM's first
county championship! In 2009, the JV boys came within only 10
points of winning a county title.
Are you, as Team Leader, the boss of your team teachers?
No. I organize team meetings, activities, parent conferences, and
field trips. I work WITH my team teachers, not above them. Do not
ask me to order another teacher to change a grade in his/her
class for you or give the class less homework. I can't do it and
wouldn't even if I could.
Do I have to pass all my subjects to get promoted to 7th grade?
Yes. We don't give you courses at HOM just so you can fail them.
You must pass every course to get promoted.
My essay is on my computer, which just broke. Can I turn it in late?
No. Handwrite it the old fashioned way. Technology problems are
not an excuse to get an extension on an essay. This is partly the
reason I have you write out rough drafts in class so you have a
hard copy to refer to. Also, don't ask to go to the computer lab
or the library with your disk so you can print out the essay.
Either have it printed out at home or handwrite it if the
printer/computer is broken.
What is the penalty for late work?
An automatic Z (equivalent to an F-, 0 points) unless you had an
excused absence. Then you must see me immediately for make-up
work and complete it within a reasonable amount of time. For
example, you miss Friday's class because you're sick. You return
Monday and ask for makeup work. You must turn it in by Tuesday or
get a Z.
