Course and Classroom Procedures
Niles West High School
Teacher: Scott Baum
Course: Psychology
Contact phone: (847) 626-2868
Contact e-mail: Scobau@niles-hs.k12.il.us
Office: Room 2140
The following information describes the classroom procedures and course expectations for students enrolled in this course. Students are expected to review this information with their parents and return the top sheet to the instructor.
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 seated and ready to begin class work when the bell rings. Tardiness is defined as NOT being seated and prepared for class when the bell rings. Tardy detentions will be assigned as designated in the student handbook on page 37. Students may be dropped from the course after 4 unexcused absences.
2. CLASS MATERIALS: Each student should have received a textbook from the bookstore. Textbooks, paper, pencils, and any other necessary materials must be brought to class every day. A three-ring binder for the course is strongly suggested for homework, notes, handouts, and returned tests and quizzes. Students without the necessary materials will lose points on assignments. No special reminders should be expected.
3. HOMEWORK / READING ASSIGNMENTS: It is extremely important that students prepare the assigned homework on time. Study outside the classroom each day should be expected. Students are expected to read the text before class.
4. TESTS / QUIZZES / PROJECTS / PAPERS: Full period tests and projects will always be announced in advance. Quizzes may not be announced in advance. The late policy for long-term projects and papers is as follows
1 day late = 10% off
2 days late = 20% off
3 days late = 30 % off
4 days late = no credit
Tests/quizzes can be made up.
5. MAKE-UP PROCUDURES: The following is the districts 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:
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.
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) 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. 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.
These additional notes pertain to this class:
If a student is absent from class, it is that student’s responsibility to determine what material was missed and to make up that material. Tests and quizzes failed to be made-up within the allotted time will be awarded a grade of zero. Truant students lost their right to make up any work missed while absent. This includes homework, tests, quizzes, essays, class work, projects, etc.
6. FINAL EXAMINATIONS: The final exam and/or project will cover the entire semester of work.
7. GRADING: Grades will be based on demonstrated ability to do the work of the course as measured by tests and quizzes, as well as by homework, class work, participation and projects. A point value will be assigned to each assignment.
The grading scale is as follows:
100% - 90% = A
89.9% - 80% = B
79.9% - 70% = C
69.9% - 60% = D below 60% = F
At the end of the semester, the percentages of the 2 marking period grades and final exam will be used to determine the student’s grade.
The percentage breakdown is as follows:
Each students should keep a running total of all points earned on tests, quizzes and homework, and thus always know his / her grade. Grades will be routinely posted in the classroom so the student can confirm his / her grade.
Extra credit will be offered at the teacher’s discretion.
8. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Students are expected to review and conform to the attached policy 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 the parent(s) or guardian(s). 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.
9. CLASSROOM POLICIES: In addition to the school policies, I have a few simple classroom rules to guide the actions of the students in my class.
A) Come to class prepared to learn.
B) No negative comments.
C) Respect yourself, others, and your surroundings.
D) No food or drink.
E) Participate in class discussions and exercises.
F) Remain in your seat until the bell rings.
G) Keep an open mind.
10. EXTRA HELP: Keep in mind that it is much easier to keep up now, than to catch up later. Therefore, if a student is having difficulty in class, it is in his / her best interest to meet with the teacher after class to arrange a help session. Extra help is also available during the entire school day in the English/Social Studies Resource Center as well as from National Honors Society Peer Tutors.
11. R-RATED MOVIES: If time allows, an R-rated movie may be shown in class. Movies provide another vehicle for learning about social interactions, and will be especially helpful to those students who learn best visually. However, a few moves are rated “R” due to adult situations, violence, and/or language. The movies will always be chosen carefully to reflect the objectives of the unit. Note: no movies with nudity will be shown in class.
By signing the first page, your son/daughter has permission to watch this movie with the rest of his/her classmates. If you decide that your child should not watch this movie, please call me at the number listed or write a note on the signed permission page indicating that you do not want your son/daughter to watch the movie. If your son/daughter does not watch the movie, they will be given an alternative assignment equal to that of their classmates.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty occurs when students obtain or assist others in obtaining credit for work, which is not his/her own.
Common examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to the following.
A. Using hidden notes, copying from another student or helping another student during an examination.
B. Giving test questions or answers to a member of a later class or receiving test questions or answers from a member of an earlier class.
C. Submitting another student’s work as one’s own.
D. Stealing or accepting stolen copies of tests or answer keys.
E. Stealing or copying another student’s written assignment, paper, project, or take-home test.
F. Permitting another student to copy one’s homework assignment, paper, project, report or take-home test.
G. Falsely claiming illness to avoid taking an examination or turning in a paper, project, report or take-home test.
H. Plagiarizing: Presenting material taken from another source without adequate documentation.
1. Failing to cite with quotation marks the written words or symbols of another author.
2. Failing to footnote the author and source of materials used in a composition.
3. Failing to cite research materials in a bibliography.
4. Failing to name a person quoted in an oral report.
5. Failing to cite an author whose works are paraphrased or summarized in oral or written work.
6. Presenting another person’s creative work or ideas as one’s own in essays, poems, music, art, computer programs or other projects.
7. Copying or paraphrasing ideas from literary criticism or study aids without acknowledgment.
I. Impersonating another student in taking an examination.
J. Changing answers and seeking credit on an examination after the examination has been graded and returned.
K. Changing grades in a teacher’s grade book.
L. Changing the results on performance examinations, e.g. Physical Education Fitness test.
M. Falsifying information for applications, i.e. college scholarships, National Honor Society, etc.
N. Utilizing computers and programmable calculators in violation of guidelines established by the teacher.
O. Utilizing professional help such as an author, expert or purchased service, in violation of guidelines established by the teacher.
Note: Studying with other students to prepare for class assignments or examinations is not academic dishonesty unless such actions are prohibited or limited by procedures established by the teacher.
Penalty: Penalties are assigned for the semester in which the violations are committed. The penalties may include the following: a grade of zero for the assignment and parent notification; a failure for the marking period and parent notification; exclusion from courses with the Principal’s approval and a parent conference; or suspension from school. The seriousness of the infraction will determine the severity of the penalty.