Mr. Komorek       Room: 210   2025-2026

Orientation, Syllabus, and Educational Contract:                                                                          

                                    Environmental Science (Credits: 0.5)

1. Philosophy and Objectives

1. The material covered during this course is designed to provide the student with a basic background of the fundamental concepts, which meet the current Ohio Science Educational Standards and include many additional topics found in the National Science Standards. 

2. The program will emphasize critical reasoning skills, mathematical application of scientific laws, experimental verification of scientific concepts, and development of proficient research skills which will be applied to written and oral assignments, with examinations to test the student’s knowledge.

We believe that our role as a science teacher is to provide a solid background in the fundamental concepts and skills associated with science. We believe that by giving students the proper “tools”, students will be able to succeed at the next level. In an effort to maximize the amount of material taught during the year, we do not always follow the textbook in chronological order and frequently add supplemental material in addition to the text.

3. General Student Objectives: Upon completing this course students will be able to:

   1. Define, explain, and apply the terminology in the designated areas of scientific study.

   2. Display use of scientific inquiry in a manner, which meets Ohio Content Standards.

   3. Show demonstration of proficient knowledge in the areas designated in the specific content objectives. 

2. Program:

1. Textbooks…  No textbooks will be assigned. Information will be provided via Google Classroom and classroom lectures and notes.

Students are expected to read cited case studies on time. Students are expected to read cited case studies on time. Case studies will be posted on Google Classroom

2. Evaluation…A student’s grade for the grading period will be determined as follows:

   1. (*Total points earned / Total points possible) x 100 = Percentage

*“total points” can include zeros when required work is not submitted for evaluation.

2. The % is translated into a letter grade consistent w/ the grading policy set forth by Howland School District. 

A = 100-90

B = 89-80

C = 79-70

D = 69-60

F = 59-0

3.   All graded assignments, except tests, will be returned to the students to keep. Mr. Komorek will keep tests on file. Students are encouraged to keep track of their points. The responsibility of keeping track of grades for personal use is that of the students and should be kept track of by the student.

4.   The science taught in this course is a comprehensive science! Every test given may include material from “previously” taught material, as well as, laboratory procedures, equipment, etc.

3. Cheating: Any student caught cheating on tests, quizzes, etc., will be subject to the procedures set by Howland High School protocol.

4. Materials Needed:

1. Pencil or Standard Blue or Black ink pen

2. Access to Google Classroom Account 

3. Notebook

5. Progress Reports: Will comply w/ the school policy. Please make use of the Howland’s online progress book. 

6. For the 2025-2026 school year, the following test taking policies are being implemented:

1. Students will have only the designated class period to complete a test. No student will be permitted to “come back” later to finish. If someone needs more time, they may stay a few minutes to complete the exam. 

2. We may make use of the Media Center on occasion for test days. Media Center seating will be one to each table. 

3.   A student needing to “make-up” a test must complete the test on the day the student returns to school. Unless the student was absent on the day the test was scheduled and did not return to school to be notified of the test before the date of examination.  (It is     the student’s responsibility to notify Mr. Komorek that he/she needs to take the make-up test. If this isn’t done in the time frame designated, it will result in a zero recorded for the test.

3. Classroom Management

1. Class will begin immediately following the bell. You are all respectful teenagers and should enter the room as such. You are expected to be in your seat, and ready to begin class when the bell rings. After the bell rings, be prepared to be an active participant and not a passive listener. Feel free to discuss pressing social matters with your neighbors. However, when Mr. Komorek begins class you should be ready to go, even if it means being rude and cutting a conversation short with your neighbor. Don’t worry, they will understand. 

2.  If you arrive late and do not have an admittance pass; the following disciplinary action will be taken. The first and second time will be documented.  The third, fourth, and fifth will result in a detention. The sixth tardy a referral will be issued. 

3. No pencil sharpening, throwing away of trash, or being out of your seat for anything that could have been taken care of before or after class.

4. No Late work will be accepted. If you are past the established deadline and have not talked to Mr. Komorek prior to the due date, the result will be a zero in the gradebook. Exceptions due to extenuating circumstances can exist. 

5. Weekly information will be posted in class. You are responsible for coming prepared to class. Students will not be excused from class to get items they “forgot”. However, they will be held responsible for these items. Make-up work is your responsibility! If it is not completed in the agreed upon time frame it will result in a zero.

6. The bell does not dismiss the class – the teacher does. DO NOT clean-up early. When you are dismissed leave in the same orderly manner you arrived in. This means that students should not be out of their seats and huddled around the door. 

7. No CHEWING GUM, EATING, or DRINKING will be permitted in the classroom. 

8. Please put your name on work that you will turn in. If your name is not on the materials turned in, it will result in 50% deduction for the first incident and a zero in the grade book for all others passed the first. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

9. Pictures/Videos taken in the classroom: Students may not take pictures or videos during class. FERPA does not have a provision regarding videotaping of students. However, once a videotape or photo is created and kept by the school, it becomes part of the student's education record and is protected under FERPA. (www.privacyrights.org) 

10. Late assignment policy: any assignment not submitted on time will:

    1. Receive 100% loss of points for late assignments. 

2. Students absent on the day an assignment is due, must submit the assignment before class begins upon return to school…no points will be lost. If it is an electronic assignment it will still be required to be turned in on the correct day, even if you are absent. 

3. Students absent on the day an assignment is given will have 1 complete day to complete the assignment…with no points lost. At the beginning of the second day the work must be in the assignment tray on Mr.Komorek’s desk. If it’s not there at this time the conditions stated above will be applied. 

DO NOT WORK ON HOMEWORK AT YOUR SEAT THE DAY IT IS DUE. CONSIDER IT A ZERO AND PLAN AHEAD IN THE FUTURE.

11. All purses need to be under a desk or on the table provided in the back of the room. I should not see bags of any kind on the top of desks.

12. Any of the previously stated information is subject to change by Mr. Komorek as long as the entire class has been properly notified of the changes made.

IV. Supplemental Video Material

Throughout the course of the year, Mr. Komorek uses supplemental videos and movies to enhance or allow the students to make connections to material covered in class with the real world. Movies or videos are all age appropriate for students taking the course. Most of the videos have a rating of PG-13 and a few rated R based on violence and language. If the student or the parents/legal guardians do not want their child watching videos of this nature, please note this on the signed syllabus to be returned . Any questions please feel free to contact Mr. Komorek.

Dear Parent/Guardian

I take pride in the education that I provide to my students and I want them to take pride and responsibility in their education as well.  The orientation and syllabus describes the expectations of the students.  Please take a minute to read through this document with your child so that we all remain on the same page with the goal of making a great student who will learn and grow throughout the school year.

Thank You,

Jeffrey Komorek

Science Teacher Howland  High School

 Parent/Guardian Name (Print and sign)

 ______________________________

 ____________________________________

Does the student have permission to watch a school appropriate rated R video(circle)  YES   NO

 Email_____________________________________

 Student (sign and print)

 ______________________________________

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