Mrs. Degan
Contact Mrs. Degan
Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. I will respond to any emails, phone messages, or messages in Google Classroom within 24 hours.
How to Use My Website
In the top right hand corner of this page are links to individual class pages. Each class page includes specific information and announcements for that class, along with a calendar of assignments and meetings from Google Classroom. There are also helpful links to Google Classroom, and other websites and resources that we will use for class. Work will be assigned and turned in through Google Classroom.
About me
This is my 21st year of teaching.
I teach Regents Living Environment, and TC3 Principles of Bio-101/102.
I am excited about the opportunities we have for using technology, now that our students have one-to-one devices.
My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning
Our learning environment is one in which students are encouraged to take risks, embrace and learn from mistakes, help each other, and discuss ideas based on facts. Perfection is not valued or expected because we are all learning new things in new ways.
Science Department Course Policies:
Qualifying for TC3 Biology, TC3 Chemistry, or Regents Physics:
Enrollment in advanced science courses is determined using the following criteria.
Students who took the Regents Earth Science Exam as Freshman are –
Approved for BIOL 101/102 with a
recommendation from the ES teacher
score of 85 or higher in the ES course
score of 75 or higher on the ES Regents Exam
Conditionally Approved for BIOL 101/102 with a score of 65-74 on the ES Regents Exam.
To remain in the course, the student must maintain at least a 75 average in the course and pass the midterm exam.
If not achieved, students will withdraw from the TC3 course and will not receive TC3 credit. They may continue to audit the course and receive high school credit for the course if their overall average is passing.
Not Approved for BIOL 101/102 with a score below 65 on the ES Regents Exam.
Students who take the BIOL 101/102 Course will be –
Approved for TC3 Chemistry or Regents Physics with a
recommendation from the Living Environment (LE) and Earth Science (ES) teachers
score of 85 or higher in the ES and LE courses
score of 75 or higher on the ES and LE Regents Exams
Conditionally Approved for TC3 Chemistry or Regents Physics* with a score of 65-74 on the ES and LE Regents Exams.
To remain in the course, the student must maintain at least a 75 average in the course and pass the midterm exam.
If not achieved, students will withdraw from the TC3 course and will not receive TC3 credit. They may continue to audit the course and receive high school credit for the course if their overall average is passing.
Not Approved for TC3 Chemistry or Regents Physics* with a score below 65 on the LE Regents Exam.
Other Requirements:
It is recommended that students who take Regents/TC3 Chemistry or Regents Physics are concurrently enrolled in or have taken Algebra2/Trig.
Alternative Science Course Offerings:
Students who do not qualify for Regents/TC3 Chemistry and/or Regents Physics can take General Chemistry or an Agriculture Science Course to complete their science requirements.
How to be successful in our virtual classroom:
Getting Ready for Virtual Class Meetings
Make sure you have completed the pre-work, so that you'll be ready to learn!
Think about your goals for learning today. What do you want to achieve?
Work with your family to find a quiet space that won't disturb other people in your house and won't distract you from learning.
Prepare your learning space. Make sure you have a clear workspace to write and store your materials.
Shut down or silence your phone so that you aren't distracted.
If there are items that have personal information you wouldn't want other people to see, move them out of camera range.
Turn off notifications from email and social media, and close game tabs, so you aren't distracted.
Check your lighting so that your teacher and classmates can see you.
Check to see that your first and last name are on the screen.
During Class Meetings
When you are not speaking, mute your microphone. It helps other people hear.
Use the hand raising button to help all of us know when you have a question or something to share.
Ask clarifying questions so you fully understand the learning intentions and success criteria for the lesson.
Listen carefully to others and ask good follow-up questions.
Use the reaction buttons to let your classmates know when you agree or disagree and give them a thumbs-up or a round of applause to encourage them.
At the Close of the Class Meeting
Review the goals you set for today. Did you achieve them?
Ask clarifying questions so you fully understand the learning intentions and success criteria for the lesson. Did you achieve the learning intentions and success criteria? How do you know?
Make sure you know how to access assigned learning tasks for continued learning and to prepare for the next meeting.