4th Period: Albegra I

Algebra 1

2023-2024 School Year

Course Credit: One Math Credit

Teacher Name:  Ms. Emily Thigpen                                      Teacher Email: emily.thigpen@clarendoncsd.org

Contact Information at School: 843-657-2744 

Academic Assistance Day & Time: Tuesday-Thursday 3:15-3:30 PM

School Time:  8:00 – 3:15

1. Class Description/Academic Outcomes/Objectives 

Unit 1: Foundations of Algebra 1

Unit 2: Linear Equations 

Unit 3: Linear Inequalities 

Unit 4: Relations & Functions

Unit 5: Linear Functions

Unit 6: Applications of Linear Functions

Unit 7: Scatter Plots & Applications

Unit 8: Systems of Equations

Unit 9: Systems of Inequalities

Unit 10: Exponents & Radicals

Unit 11: Polynomials

Unit 12: Quadratics

Unit 13: Exponential Functions

Student/Class Expectations

Be on time for class and limit restroom breaks. Remember more than 20 minutes out of the classroom counts as an absence and time out of the classroom also means you are missing instruction.

Be prepared for class. This means completing homework assignments and bringing proper supplies to class everyday. Computers should be charged prior to class time.

Be respectful of everyone. Remain in your seat, raise your hand if you have a question and listen when others are talking.

Be engaged and focused on learning. Participation in class assignments allows practice and promotes understanding. 

Be considerate. Place all trash in trash cans and return all classroom supplies to their proper place at the end of class.

Behavior Policy

1st Offense: Warning

2nd Offense: Conference with Parent/Email Home

3rd Offense: Office or Guidance Referral 

Students will be referred to the office immediately for disrespect, disobedience, defiance & distractions.

Technology Policy:

Laptops are the only devices needed for work in class. Cell phones will be collected and secured by the instructor at the beginning of class each day. All other electronic devices (headphones, air pods, smart watches, etc.) should be stored in backpacks or bags during class. Cell phones will be collected daily, smart watches will be collected during quizzes and tests.

2. Class Materials

Students will need the following daily supplies:

• Required for Student Use:

  • 3-Ring Binder

  • Dividers (5)

  • Notebook/Notebook Paper

  • Pencils

  • Highlighters

  • Markers/Colored Pencils

• Appreciated for Classroom Use: 

  • Kleenex/Tissues 

  • Hand Sanitizer 

  • Clorox Wipes

• Optional: Graphing Calculator (for at home use)

3. Required Texts and other Readings

Textbook: McGraw Hill Glencoe South Carolina Algebra 1

Textbooks will be provided for use in the classroom. Access to an electronic textbook will be provided for use at home.

4. Absences and Assignments

Students should check Google Classroom and Aleks daily for assignment information. Please pay close attention to the due dates provided. 

Most classwork and homework assignments can be completed even if the student is absent from class. Once the student returns to school, please check the appropriate folder in the classroom for any handouts provided during absences and speak with me about arrangements for any missed assignments. Any assignments that were given prior to the absence are due on the day the student returns. Other assignments are due within 5 days. 

ALL quizzes and tests MUST be completed in the classroom and should not be accessed or completed at home. Check Power School routinely!

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

District policy is as follows:

• The school year consists of 180 school days. High school students must attend 85 days of each 90-day semester to receive one-half unit of credit. They must attend 170 days through the course of the school year to receive one unit of credit.

• The board expects children to attend school regularly. Regular attendance is necessary if students are to make the desired and expected academic and social progress.

• Attendance will be taken during each class period each day.

• The Board expects each student to attend his/her assigned school every school day except in cases of illness, family emergency, or other reasons specifically stated in this rule.  A student who fails to attend the assigned school when he/she is physically and circumstantially able to do so is truant.  Such a student is in violation of the South Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law for ages 5 through 17.

• The Board expects each student to attend all scheduled classes and activities every day he/she is at school, except when excused by the principal or his designee.  A student, who reports to assigned school but fails to attend all scheduled classes and activities, except when officially excused, is considered by the Board to be contributing to the potential disruption of the instructional program.

5. MAKE-UP WORK 

If a student misses a class, it is the sole responsibility of the student to consult with the teacher concerning make-up work or missed assignments. Work should be made up at times convenient to your teacher. Work made up due to absence does not count as a retake. In the event of a dispute over makeup rights, the principal will be the final authority. If a student is absent for several days, the parents may contact the guidance office to request assignments. 24-hour notice is needed before assignments can be picked up to give the teachers time to collect necessary materials. 

6. RETAKE POLICY 

There is no reason for a student to fail in Clarendon County School District. Every student in Clarendon County School District is allowed to retake a total of five (5) assignments (i.e. classwork, quizzes, and/or tests EXCLUDING BENCHMARK TESTS, every nine weeks, in every subject. Students will have the entire nine weeks to re-take any applicable assignments. Teachers may require students to attend one (1) hour of tutoring before retaking an assignment. Students will be required to complete test corrections or a review assignment prior to retaking a test or quiz. 

7. Grading Policy

The grade/weighting policy is as follows:

Tests/Projects: 40% 

Quizzes: 30%

Classwork: 20%

Homework: 10%

8. Student Dress Code Policy

All students are expected to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to dress appropriately for school and school functions. Students will not wear attire that interferes with the operation of the school, disrupts the educational environment, or which negatively affects the general health, safety, and welfare of the district's students or employees. Inappropriate and impermissible attire includes, but is not limited to, the following.

• No revealing and/or suggestive clothing, such as tube tops, halter/spaghetti strap tops, see-through garments, garments that bare the midriff, or biker shorts be permitted.

• Proper footwear must be worn at all times. Footwear that constitutes a safety hazard will not be permitted.

• Clothing and accessories (i.e., bookbags, jewelry, hats, etc.) which display a symbol of, or otherwise promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs are not permitted.

• No vulgar, obscene, profane, or otherwise disruptive symbols, language, or wording will be permitted on clothing and accessories.

• Gang attire, including colors directly affiliated with a gang and gang symbols are not permitted to be worn or to be displayed as accessories.

• Hats, head stockings, and kerchiefs may only be worn for religious or medical reasons that have been approved by the principal.

• All students must ensure that pants are worn at the natural waistline. Undergarments must be completely covered.

• Students may not wear accessories or clothing which poses a potential safety hazard. This includes heavy chains not made as jewelry, fish hooks, studded bracelets and/or collars, nose/lip-to-ear chains, large rings, and the like. Unusual body piercing that is disruptive to the order of the school or which is a distraction to the learning environment is not permitted.

Individual schools may implement more specific and restrictive dress codes, subject to the recommendation of school administration and the school improvement council, and then approved by the superintendent.

The administration will have the final judgment on the appropriateness of dress and reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing any article of clothing or accessory which may foreseeably result in the disruption of the school environment.

** If clothing attire is not appropriate as deemed by the administration, students must call parents to bring appropriate clothing and/or be assigned to ISS until clothing has arrived.

Procedures and consequences for failure to comply with Dress Code Rules are as follows:

Each time a student incurs a dress code violation, the date and offense will be marked in a notebook maintained in the front office. For every three dress infractions, a student will receive a discipline referral. The consequences are as follows: 

1st referral: Warning

2nd referral: Parent/student/administrative conference

3rd referral: 1 Day Suspension

4th referral and beyond: Suspension

9. Mission/Vision/Title I Statement

• Mission Statement:

  • Unified as One, the mission of the Clarendon County School District is to educate and empower students to become productive and responsible citizens.

• Vision:

  • Unified as One, the vision of the Clarendon County School District is to be a catalyst for our students’ academic success and prosperity for our community by developing well-rounded, confident, and responsible citizens.