Environmental Sustainability Course Guidelines

This course tries to answer the question of whether or not we are living in a “sustainable” environment. We will study topics such as economics and environmental policy, population and communication ecology, environmental systems, urbanization, and human populations. 

You will be completing numerous different types of assignments and activities in this course. Some assignments and projects will be done individually, whereas others will require teamwork. One important goal I have in teaching is to reinforce good social skills. I expect you to be a positive force in this class and help other people be the same. Be a participator – get involved with discussions within your team and with the entire class! Dare to state your opinions. Be open to other’s ideas. Something that often makes ecological issues interesting is that there is no one simple answer; different people approach issues with different perspectives and there is essentially no right or wrong outlook or opinion.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

It is expected that each student has a three-ring binder for this course. Since there is no text, your notebook becomes your primary source of information and study material. It is important that you keep your binder well-ordered and organized. Keep ALL hand-outs, worksheets, and notes. 

Approximately every other Friday, students will be required to turn in a recent “CEA” or Current Environmental Advances paper (no older than 6 months) https://www.sciencedaily.com/, journal or newspaper article pertaining to an Environmental Science topic covered in class since the previous CEA. The specific format for this will be discussed later on. 

It is also recommended that you have your own set of colored pencils.

GRADES

The grading scale used for this course is as follows:

100-90 A

89-80 B

79-70 C

69-60 D

< 59 F

During a typical grading period, there will be grades on in-class assignments and activities, Science Journal articles, homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and collaborative assignments/projects. 

Borderline grades will be considered, dependent on attendance, responsiveness and willingness to participate in class, and whether or not assignments were turned in on time. 

Late work will only be accepted with one of your three given late passes.  Each pass is equivalent to being one day late. The only exception will be make-up work. See below for further detail.  Whenever an assignment is not turned in, a zero or “missing” will be entered into Progressbook (depending on the circumstances).

CEA’s are to be turned in on the given date, regardless of being at school or not. CEA’s should always be submitted to your teacher via Google Classroom!

You can keep track of your grade in the class through Progress Book. 

CHEATING

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated! Cheating will result in 0% on any quiz/test/assignment, etc. Parents will be contacted and the principal(s) may be notified. 

MAKE UP WORK

Makeup work is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Check with your teacher immediately upon returning after an absence to determine your makeup responsibilities. To turn in makeup work, you will have up to the allotted time period of your absence (i.e. if you’re out three days, all make up work is due within the next three days). Anything beyond this time frame is considered late and will not be accepted. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY for staying caught up if you miss class.  

***You MUST join Google classroom (with notifications ON) to be sure to not miss any material sent to you when absent. ***

***Per the Student-Parent Handbook; "Make Up Work Policy" (bottom right section of the cover).  It states, "Truancy/Unexcused Absences: No work will be allowed to be made up and the student will receive no credit for those days missed." ***

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE

If disruptive behavior occurs, the teacher will enact the following discipline procedures. (These are not limited to the following.)

1st offense = warning

2nd offense = student will be given detention 

3rd offense = student will be given two detentions and sent to Mr. Prescott for further procedures

** NO EARBUDS ALLOWED!!! **

** Cell phones ONLY allowed with teacher permission **

Above procedure will be followed as needed.

TEACHER CONTACT

If you need to talk to me (assignment not completed, personal concerns, etc.) please do so towards the END of the class period.

You can contact Mr. Petruska, by calling the high school at (330) 533-5507 ext. 2224 or by emailing me at bpetruska@canfieldschools.net

My signature indicates that I have read and understand the Environmental Sustainability Course guidelines.

Student Signature ____________________________________________ Date _____________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________