Policies & Procedures

The following information describes the classroom procedures and course expectations for students enrolled in this course. Students are expected to review this information, along with their parents.

1. ATTENDANCE: Since good attendance is important for success in this class, it is expected that students will be present for all class sessions except during illness and unavoidable emergencies. Students must be ready to begin class work when the bell rings. The school’s guidelines for tardiness will be followed.

2. CLASS MATERIALS: Each student is expected to report to class adequately prepared to participate in each class. This includes bringing to class: 1) textbook; 2) 3-ring binder; 3) pencil and eraser; 4) calculator 5) compass and protractor.

3. EXTRA HELP: Since each concept builds progressively on what has been learned, it is extremely important to ASK for help when experiencing any difficulties with material. Extra help is available as follows:

a) Ms. Kaye – office hours as posted

b) Literacy Center – every period

c) After school by appointment

4. MAKE-UP PROCEDURES: The following is the district’s operating statement regarding test/project make-up:

Details of each teacher’s test/project make-up policy shall be printed in each teacher’s course handout. Students and teachers may make alternative arrangements, with the best interests of the students in mind, if both are in agreement. Make up work deadlines for lab class set-ups may require some modification. Teachers shall incorporate the following as part of their individual course/test project make-up policy:

a. Any student falsely claiming illness to avoid taking an examination or turning in a paper, project, report or take-home test is subject to penalty as stated in the Academic Dishonesty section of the Student Handbook.

b. If a test is missed due to an unanticipated absence on the day of the test only, the student should take the test by the end of the day upon which she/he returns.

c. If a test will be missed due to an extended unanticipated absence (two or more days), the student should be given the same number of days to make up the test as days missed.

if a student is absent for three consecutive days including the day of the test, the student must take the test within three days of returning;

if a student is absent from Monday through Wednesday, and the test is on Thursday the day the student returns to school, the student must take the test by the end of the day on Tuesday (following three days of grace) of the following week.

d. If a test will be missed due to routine doctor/dentist appointments or school-related activities (anticipated absences), the student should inform the teacher of the anticipated absence as far in advance as possible to facilitate the make-up on the missed test.

- a test missed due to a partial-day absence should be made up the same day of the absence, after school, if possible;

- a test missed due to a full-day absence should be made up by the end of the first day upon returning to school.

For example, if a student is absent on Wednesday, the test should be taken on Thursday.

e. If a student is absent (unanticipated) on the due date of a long-term project (project assigned two weeks or more in advance), the completed project is due on the day of return to school.

f. If a student is absent (anticipated) on the due date of a long-term project (project assigned two weeks or more in advance), the completed project is still due that day. Students should make arrangements for delivery with the teacher.

g. Suspensions (credit for work missed):

- Out-of-class assignments: During the suspension students will be expected to work on any assignment that can be completed out of class. Students on suspension shall call or write the teacher for assignments made during the period of suspension. All assignments are due on the day of return (or on the due date if later), and will be graded without late penalty.

- In class assignments: As a natural consequence of missing class, however, students on suspension will receive no credit for assignments completed during class for in-class participation points.

- Tests: Students will be allowed to take all tests and assessments given during the suspension on the day of their return, or at a later date with teacher approval. These assignments will be graded without late penalty.

These additional notes pertain to this class:

Students having excused absences are required to find out what work was missed and to make up that work as soon as they return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to determine a time schedule with me for make-up work immediately upon returning to school. Students having unexcused absences lose their right to take any tests or quizzes missed while absent.

5. TESTS/QUIZZES: Full period tests will always be announced in advance. Quizzes may not be announced in advance.

6. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT: Students should respect the rights of others in the class to learn. Students are expected to be attentive and to participate by questioning, commenting, note taking, and cooperating with each other.

7. HOMEWORK: Doing assignments conscientiously according to instructions is a major learning experience, and doing them is a requirement, not an option. Study each day should be expected. Homework will be reviewed and checked in class on a daily basis. Assignments should be labeled, dated, and carefully organized in the homework section of your 3-ring binder. They should be kept for reference and review. How homework will contribute to the grade will be carefully detailed in class.

8. GRADING: The following is the grading scale to be used in this class:

90% - 100% = A

80% - 89.9% = B

70% - 79.9% = C

60% - 69.9% = D

0% - 59.9% = F

Each student should keep a running total of all points earned on tests and quizzes and thus always know her/his grade.

9. FINAL EXAMINATIONS: Final exam will cover the entire semester of work and will account for approximately 16% of the semester grade. I strongly recommend that each student keep in his/her 3-ring binder all tests and quizzes, as these will provide excellent review materials for the final exam.

10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Parents: I welcome any opportunity to discuss your daughter’s or son’s progress in this class. Feel free to call me at: 847-626-2789.

11. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students are expected to review and conform to the enclosed statement on academic dishonesty. (A copy also appears in the Student Handbook.) Academic dishonesty violations normally result in a grade of zero for the test or assignment, and in some cases, a mandatory conference with parents/guardians. A copy of the academic dishonesty report will be placed in the student’s temporary school files, which may result in loss of eligibility for the National Honor Society or other prestigious memberships, awards, and scholarships.

12. CALCULATORS AND SECURITY: Think of your calculator as you would think of your purse, wallet, or a hundred-dollar bill. You must make certain that it is not left unattended.

The Dean’s office has the capability of engraving your name on your calculator, and also registering it by serial number in their records. This is highly recommended.

From time to time, students may be offered the opportunity to purchase a used calculator from other students. It would be advisable to check the manufacturer’s serial number to see if it is still there. One may question the ownership of a calculator that: a) has the original serial number removed; or, b) shows evidence of sanding in an area where an identifying mark may have been made.

13. TUTORS: We strongly recommend that students seek needed extra help from our teachers. Students may obtain this help in the Literacy Center. In the special event where an outside private tutor may be engaged, we ask that the parent, teacher, and tutor communicate initially, and then continue this communication. This mutually supportive arrangement will help maximize the student’s chances for success.