CLASSROOM+RULES,+GRADING+POLICIES+AND+COMMUNICATION

=__**CLASSROOM RULES, GRADING POLICIES AND COMMUNICATION**__=

===THE GRADING SCALE is as follows: 100-93 A; 92-85 B; 84-77 C; 76-70 D; 69-0 F. This is outlined in the CHHS student handbook. Some of the categories in the grade book include: open-notebook test at end of each nine-weeks, notebook grade at end of each nine weeks, weekly quizzes, projects, presentations, labs and other classroom activities. I do not use weighted categories: everything is assigned a point total. Grades are calculated in this way: Total points earned divided by total points x 100. I am consistent with point values for each type of category taking the amount of work into consideration. ===
 * __GRADING AND STUDENT WORK POLICIES __**

===GRADE PROGRAM - I use a fantastic program called SNAPGRADES and have a paid subscription. This allows students and their parents to check on grades. Note that you can only view the grades of your son or daughter; no one else’s grades will show up. I will also email a grade spreadsheet every few weeks. Snapgrades has a class calendar that I will use regularly and grade reports will be emailed from this site. Students will receive instructions for signing up, which includes a temporary password. Parents – let me know if you would like this privilege and I will send you an email with instructions and temporary password. ===

===**MISSING ASSIGNMENTS** - If a student has missing assignments or has not taken a test or quiz by the end of the first grading period, an INCOMPLETE will be recorded on the report card. A grade will be given once the assignment has been completed. However, if work has not been completed by the end of the first semester, a zero will be entered for the missing assignments and a grade will then be calculated. Teachers who use this method find that an INCOMPLETE places grade responsibility on the student for his/her grade. Of course, the grade report will show the student’s actual grade and what was not handed in.===

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 * EXTENDED TIME** - for tests or quizzes to anyone who needs it. You must have used your time wisely during the assessment to earn extra time - it is not automatic. If more time is needed for an assignment, it must be communicated to me well ahead of time with a valid reason. A new reasonable deadline will be worked out. I might solicit parent feedback if extended time is needed for assignments or projects. If something is not completed by the end of a quarter, an incomplete will be entered in the grade report.=====

===**LABS / ACTIVITIES** may not be that easy to set up therefore for each lab, I will announce a final day for make-up, generally within a week. If the lab is not made up by the deadline, I will give an alternate assignment on a similar topic as the lab or activity. The alternate activity will be much more time-intensive. ===

===TIME FRAME FOR MAKE-UP WORK - Students should make up work as quickly as possible (within a week). I’m available most days during lunch or before school – or during my planning periods. Quizzes should be made up by the following Wednesday. Labs or activities should be made up by the following Friday. After this grace period, points will be taken off. The most that can be taken off for any late work is 50%. ===

===REWARDS - If a student meets the following qualifications: no unexcused tardies or absences, all work handed in before the deadline and good to excellent class participation, I will do the following: ===


 * ===Drop the lowest quiz grade (earth science classes) or drop the lowest test grade (Honors Biology)===
 * ===Give the student the higher grade in the case of a "borderline" grade situation.===

===Perhaps the single most important factor for success in a classroom is communication. When thoughts, concerns or ideas are not expressed or expressed in a way that is not understood by the recipient, the real message is not delivered. When we (student, teacher, parent or administrator) do not fully understand a message, we often go what we think the message is, which is often not the true message. I promise to go above and beyond in letting everyone know:===
 * __COMMUNICATION __**
 * ===what we do class each day (web site class calendar and white board) content being taught (hard copy of outline and powerpoint uploaded to web site)===
 * === the assignments and deadlines (web site calendar and white board) ===
 * === behavior expectations (announced as often as necessary) ===
 * === learning objectives for all assignments and activities (announced beforehand - written on white board) ===

=== I expect, in return, t﻿hat you will let me know if something is unclear or if you feel a mistake has been made in a grade, for example. Let's all work together to bring communication to a level that truly enhances the learning experience this year! ===

** __How to access grades and the class calendar__ ** **Classroom activities, quizzes, tests and homework assignments and other assignments and due dates will be always posted online. Snapgrades has a calendar, plus I will post on my Google calendar. Instructions are on the home page of my WIKI space for how to sign up to Snapgrades and your specific Google group. You must sign up in order to have access. I will upload documents such as class notes and labs, plus powerpoint presentations, etc. on to my WIKI space, which will serve as my web site. This will make it easy for students who are absent. Due to the copy paper quota, as well as copier malfunctions, if you are able to download and print out any documents that will be used in class, and insert them in your notebook that would be greatly appreciated.**

**__Communication with parents__** **The best way to reach me is through e-mail, however if that is not convenient, please feel free to leave a phone message at 929-2106 ext. 41119. I will gladly meet with you at a mutually convenient time. The best times for me are before school (after 8:15 AM), during planning/lunch (11:30 - 1:00) or right after school. The best thing to do is set a mutually convenient meeting time and we'll put it on our calendars. I send out weekly email updates on what we’re doing in class to each list serve (each class has two list serves – one for students and one for parents). What we do in class each day is posted on the CLASS CALENDAR of my WIKISPACE site, as well as in SNAPGRADES.**

**__SUPPORT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS __**
**I require every student to participate in a __Success Contract__, outlining the obligations and duties of myself and the student so it is clear our expectations for excellence at the start of the year. My general classroom rules are posted around my doorway inside the classroom.** ===Students who need to make up work or get extra help may come by at lunch, before school or after school by appointment. I will set aside Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday lunches as “quiet time” in my classroom. Work cannot be made up if an absence is unexcused. === ===Prior to each chapter, I will hand out the questions and vocabulary you will need to know for the following quiz. Tests will consist of similar questions from previous quizzes. Because I am giving you the questions ahead of time, there will be no quiz or test corrections allowed unless a student has approved provisions. === === If a student has NO MISSING WORK during a grading period, has demonstrated a positive attitude and has been a regular contributor to the learning environment, in the case of a borderline grade, I will award the student the higher grade. ===


 * __ CLASSROOM RULES __**

Rules in my class are fairly simple and equitable for everyone involved. They are posted on the wall in front of the room. Most important, I feel in my classroom we are all a **TEAM** **:** **T**ogether **E**veryone **A**chieves **M**ore! We are not alone; there is support in your classmates, your parents and through me. I feel that in this class we are in this together and we all have a stake in each other's education. Please do not hesitate if you need help! I reserve the right to randomly assign lab groups and partners as well as seating arrangements such to allow students to learn from others and keep students on task. I realize this may cause some initial discomfort for some students, but it is my educational obligation to have a classroom environment conducive to learning.

__** TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM **__
===In order to create a more effective and enjoyable teaching and learning environment, a traffic light system will be used and enforced. Students are expected to abide by the traffic light signal. Violations of this system will be handled in the following way with higher numbered steps used when lower numbered steps do not reap positive results:===

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Use of Class Time __**
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**Class begins at the final bell. Please be ready to begin. If you are late, you should have a note. Place the note in the __basket__, get seated and quickly get caught up. While I believe in starting class on time, if we were productive and accomplished our work before the end of the period, I will give that time to you for socializing (an important part of being a high school student) and doing work from another class. Always be mindful of the traffic light (red, yellow or green).**

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Absences __**
**<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">In order to do well in this class, you need to be in class. Attendance is vital to your success in school and beyond. Use my webpage or visit me directly to get the work you have missed. Parents, please contact me immediately if you have any concerns. As always, MAKING UP ASSIGNMENTS IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY! Also, students may not make up assignments from unexcused absences. Students should refer to my WIKI space when absent; it is often possible to stay caught up if effort is made at home. **

**//<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">For seventh period students: //**
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**It is common for students to miss all or part of a class due to participation in after school activities. Since I am providing and maintaining a “system,” which will allow you to keep up with class work, there should not be missed work. Please be a frequent visitor to my WIKISPACE as well as the class Google group. You are responsible for making up what you missed. I will make your coaches aware of my system for catching up with missed class work. All coaches will agree that academics are and should be a top priority.**

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Plagiarism and Cheating __**
**<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">are not only unfair to the scientific community at large but also can result in disastrous harm to people's lives. If a student is documented to be cheating, the result is a zero on the assignment, referral to the alpha administrator in which parents will be notified. This includes giving or receiving unauthorized aid on any assignment. Therefore it is in everyone's best interest to hold on to your work, use a coversheet on tests, and report instances of academic misconduct. There is no excuse for cheating, it is best to do your own work, talk to me about rescheduling an assignment or turning it in late. Ethical behavior is crucial in being a scientist and since you are young scientists, you will be held to the same standard. When instructed, students collaborate on projects and labs (science is done best when there is collaboration). Summative assessments (quizzes and tests) are a measure of how much YOU understand, so collaboration or copying will be penalized. If you need help with understanding concepts covered in lecture or instructions, or have questions about your grade, please don't hesitate to come see me. All students should abide by the CHHS honor code at all times. **

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Disruptive Behavior __**
===<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">There is such little instructional time and there are potential dangers in a science lab, therefore disrupting behaviors __will not be tolerated__ in my classroom. Each and every student has an unalienable right to learn, and conflicts that get in the way of that right will not be tolerated. I ask the following. No foul language, no outside work homework/reading to be done while I am teaching. ===

<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">__Electronic devices__
===<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">No electronic devices (including mp3, CD players or iPod devices) may be used unless I give permission during “down time.” Cell phones should neither be on nor out anytime in class (unless I give permission for use when web search is necessary). ===

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Using computers during class __**
**<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">We will frequently use computers in this class. If you are caught using Facebook or other social site that has nothing to do with the assignment, or if you are checking email when you are supposed to be working on an assignment, a referral will be made after one warning. If you need to use the phone, you are more than welcome, with permission, to use the phone in my classroom during non-instruction time. **

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Clean-up after activity and end of class __**
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**Activities or labs in this class generally use lots of supplies. I will give instructions for clean-up before the activity and let you know when it is time to do so. Please help me keep the room clean and organized. I cannot do it alone without your help. Everything has its place and you will learn where those places are! Do not line up at the doorway before the bell rings. Stay in the room; do not go out in the hallway.**

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Food and drink __**
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**I do not mind food and drinks, such as bottled water, as long as messes are cleaned up and plastic is recycled. Rather than use paper towels, I keep a large supply of rags and cleaning supplies, including a broom and dust pan. I am an advocate for everyone cleaning up after themselves. If I notice slackness in this regard, I reserve the right to disallow food and drink in the room. I keep recycling bins for plastic, metal, glass and mixed paper. Please rinse out drink cans or bottles before putting in the recycling bin. One bin is for plastic and glass; the other is for mixed paper.**

**__<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">Leaving the classroom __**
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**Please try to take care of your bathroom needs before class if you are not in danger of being late. If you are in my fifth period class, please try to do your bathroom business during lunch. I will always allow emergency visits to the bathroom – but if at all possible, not during instruction time. You must have a pass to be in the hallway, whether going to the bathroom or to an appointment in guidance. I keep scrap paper atop the desk across from the door to my room. Please write your own pass, which I will sign. When in the hallways, please do not disrupt another class. If word comes back to me that you’ve disrupted another class, a disciplinary referral will be made.**

**__//For second, fifth and sixth period students//__**
If you are in either of these class periods, be aware that another class comes into the room right after you leave. I would be extremely appreciative of entire class cooperation with clean-up. I will give you instructions and leave enough time for you to help me. If I see that the results are good, something positive will result for you.

=**//<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;">My rules are posted on the wall near the doorway as reminders. //**=