Rules and Grade Policy

General Rules:

Students are expected to abide by the policies as assigned by the instructor, Bridging Communities, and the local school divisions. These policies govern attendance, behavior, safety, and wardrobe.

Dress Code:

Students must dress in a manner acceptable for the criminal justice workplace. On a typical school day students will be expected to wear “business casual” attire. Due to the number of hands-on activities it is important for students to wear proper fitting clothing that will not interfere with safe and appropriate participation in activities. Students are highly encouraged to regularly wear pants with pockets and belts and closed-toed shoes with adequate traction. On certain occasions, such as field trips and guest speakers, the students are expected to wear professional attire. On days involving physical fitness or defensive tactics activities the students must wear appropriate athletic attire.

Professional Attire:

Females: Workplace appropriate dress or skirt/slacks and blouse

Males: Non-denim pants and appropriate shirt and necktie

CLOTHING ITEMS NOT PERMITTED:

“Athleisure” attire in not appropriate for the professional, criminal justice classroom or workplace. Students may not wear yoga pants, leggings, running pants, athletic shorts, or other similar clothing items.

*Leggings may be worn with an appropriate length top, dress, or skirt

*Does not apply to fitness and defensive tactics class periods

Phone and Electronic Devices:

· Upon arrival at the Center all phones and electronic devices are to be put away. Students may not retrieve the phone until leaving the class for the day.

· Other electronic devices, such as laptops and Chromebooks, may only be used with instructor permission. Students are only permitted to use the devices for educational purposes.

Other Class-Specific Policies:

· All absences will be documented as “Unexcused” until students provide documentation to Mrs. Best. The student must submit proper documentation upon his/her return to class.

· Students are expected to complete assignments outside of the classroom unless permitted by the instructor. If a student is going to encounter difficulties in accessing, submitting, or printing an assignment outside of the classroom it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor prior to the due date. Exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.

· Most class assignments will be completed through Canvas.

· Students shall utilize their RCC e-mail and Canvas messenger to communicate with the instructor.

· Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated. If it is determined that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, then the student will receive a formal warning and the assignment grade of “F” (numeric grade of zero) on the quiz, test, examination, exercise, or assignment in question. Repeated violations could result in additional actions per the class discipline policy.

· Late Work: All assignments are expected to be turned in by the due dates. Assignments may be submitted one day late for the loss of one letter grade (10 grade points). After one day late, assignments will not be accepted for credit and the assignment grade will be entered as an “F” (numeric grade of zero).

· Excused Absences: Students will be expected to make up quizzes/tests and turn in assignments that were due on the day they were absent upon their return. Full credit will be given. In the case where there were multiple excused absences, they will be given the same number of days they were absent to turn in the work for full credit. If work is not completed on time, then the “Late Work” policy applies.

· Unexcused Absences: Students will be expected to make up tests and turn in assignments or projects that were due on the day they were absent upon their return. One letter grade (10 grade points) will be deducted on that day. If work is not completed on time, then an additional letter grade (10 grade points) will be deducted. Work will not be accepted for credit if it is more than one day late.

· Extra credit opportunities will be granted throughout the year.

· Due to the nature of activities in this class, students are expected to follow all safety guidelines provided by the instructor or guest experts. Serious safety violations that could result in injury will result in immediate referrals to the office.

· Students are permitted to have drinks in the classroom. Drinks must be in a container that can be resealed.

· Students not properly dressed for an activity will not be permitted to complete the activity for safety reasons.

Discipline:

Unless otherwise noted, students will receive the following discipline:

First Offense: Documented Verbal Warning

Second Offense: Documented Parent/Guardian Contact

Third and Subsequent Offenses: Office Referral and Documented Parent/Guardian Contact

*Safety violations, major dress code violations, gross disrespect or insubordination, and sleeping will result in immediate referrals to the Center’s Director.

Grading Scale:

Grading Policies:

Quarterly Tests:

At the end of each grading period the students will take a cumulative test regarding material taught during the quarter.

Classwork:

As part of ongoing instruction students will be assigned various worksheets, discussion board topics, brief writing assignments, and other activities either to be completed in class or by assigned due dates through online platforms. Additionally, on days involving in-person instruction students will receive a participation grade based on their involvement in the course activities.

Projects/Papers:

During the year students will complete multiple projects and research papers. Each project and paper will be graded according to a rubric.

Research papers must be written in accordance with a modified APA format as described in each assignment.

Practicals/Graded Scenarios:

During the year students will participate in hands-on activities designed to measure specific skills. Each scenario will be graded according to a rubric.

Quizzes:

Quizzes are given on a regular interval at the end of subtopics. They will consist of multiple choice, short answer and fill-in the blank questions. They will be graded on an A to F scale.

Exams:

An exam will be administered at the end of each semester. Exams count for 10% of the final grade. Both the Mid-Term and Final Exam will consist of a hands-on practical and a written test. Each part will be equally weighted.