Schoolwork Policies
Homework Policy:
It is the responsibility of the student to write down and bring home materials to complete homework every day. Students are expected to complete 50-90 uninterrupted minutes of homework per night (this averages to 10-15 minutes per subject)
If a student is struggling with a particular nightly homework assignment (not a long-term assignment), teachers accept partial completion with a signed note from a parent saying that the student worked for at least 15 uninterrupted minutes, but is struggling to understand the content. Students who are struggling to complete homework or with content are expected, then, to make an after school appointment with that teacher for extra help.
Homework passes are handed out periodically by teachers for behavior that goes above- and- beyond expectations. Homework passes can be redeemed only to the teacher that awarded the pass (unless otherwise specified), and only for a nightly homework assignment, not a long-term project.
Homework assignments should be written down in student planners (provided by the school), and materials brought home in their orange folder. We ask that all parents check their child's homework nightly. It is tempting to give students more independence now that they've reached middle school, but this can be a tough transition for many kids, and homework and time management can be a struggle. We all want your child to be successful, and you can help set them up for success by setting homework expectations at home, and continuing to check homework nightly.
Students should have one or two buddies they can call from their class to ask what their homework assignment was in case they forgot to write it down.
There is no such thing as "I finished my homework in school," because at minimum, students should be reviewing their notes, practicing vocabulary, and studying for tests, even when they do not have physical work to turn in.
Makeup Work:
The Middle School Team follows the School Handbook when it comes to accepting makeup work from tardy/absent students:
Students who are absent 1-4 consecutive days have two school days per missed day per missed day to make up work. Students who are absent 5+ days are expected to work with teachers to determine reasonable expectations.
Students who miss a test or a quiz should be prepared to take that test or quiz upon their return. Make-up tests will be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher for completion during Flex Block or after school.
Work will be given to students upon their return. Failure to make up work will result in loss of credit for the assignments and may affect the student's grades.
Student Grades:
Student grades are available 24/7 through the Schoolbrains Community Portal. If you do not know your parent/student login information, please contact the main office at 508-583-4822. We ask that parents check grades at least once a week, and contact teachers directly with any questions or concerns. Grades at AMHS are different from the elementary school's 1-4 scale, and change frequently so it's important to keep up-to-date. Remember, on a 100 point scale, one missing assignment (a zero) can have a significant effect on a student's average!
Grades are updated approximately every two weeks. AMHS uses a standard letter grading scale although every teacher has a different grading policy. Syllabi with individual teacher policies will be given to students in the first couple weeks of school during each of their classes.
Academic Honesty and Cheating (From the AMHS Student Handbook):
Avon Middle-High School students are expected to put forth their best effort in all assignments and abide by the fundamental principles of honesty with respect to their academic work. Cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offenses that impede learning and diminish personal growth. This includes but is not limited to cheating on tests, quizzes, homework, or any other assignment regardless of point value. If a teacher determines that a student has cheated and/or plagiarized (including the use of AI technology), the teacher will notify parents and administrators, and the consequences may be as follows:
● 1st offense: automatic zero on the assignment or exam
● 2nd offense: automatic zero on the assignment or exam and appropriate disciplinary action.
● Any subsequent offenses will result in an automatic zero on the assignment and increased disciplinary action.
Cheating is defined as follows:
● Copying or attempting to copy another student’s homework, quiz, test, essay, or lab report.
● Collaborating with other students on an assignment in direct violation of the teacher’s instructions.
● Using books and electronic information in generating an assignment in direct violation of the teacher’s instructions, such as Artificial Intelligence or online translation
● Accessing, taking, and benefiting from copies of tests and/or quizzes previously used (or to be used) by teachers.
● Changing incorrect answers to correct on a previously corrected test.
Plagiarism is defined as follows:
According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed., to plagiarize is "to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own… to commit literary theft." Plagiarism may include any of the following acts:
● Downloading an entire document from the Internet;
● Cutting and pasting portions of a source from the Internet;
● Copying or paraphrasing from the work of another student; 13
● Copying or paraphrasing from published sources, such as Cliff’s Notes, Spark Notes, books, magazines, newspapers, Artificial Intelligence, etc., without proper documentation.