Please review the policies and expectations below. You are expected to be aware of all class policies, school rules, and CMS rules, as well as of potential consequences.
But we're going to have an amazing year, so I know you're all going to be angels!
I make every effort to keep grades in Power School as up to date as possible. Please be sure to check in regularly to keep apprised of your current grade, as well as to make sure that there are no errors (I'm not entirely infallible, so if something doesn't look right, check with me!). If you do not have your Power School login information, please contact Student Services as soon as possible.
A: 100-90 B: 89-80 C: 79-70 D: 69-60 F: 59 and below
Regarding exempted items: If you see a zero with an exempt, the zero does not affect your grade. We just have to put a number in there, so don't worry!
Prepare: 20% Rehearse: 30% Perform: 50%
I strongly recommend turning assignments in on time, as it is best to submit work as we are studying the material in class. Further, I do not assign gratuitous homework. Instead, I tend to assign readings, projects, and essays, which are announced early (see Calendars) and allow plenty of time for completion. All assignments have a purpose in your learning.
That said, the policies below apply to all courses and teachers within the English Department at Ardrey Kell High School. "Work" is categorized as assignments, homework, class work, projects, essays, and papers. Please note that the work will be evaluated and reductions assessed after the penalties listed below. Students are accountable for turning in late work regardless of absences that follow the original due date.
Work NOT turned in will result in a zero.
Work that is one day late will receive a ten point deduction from the assessed grade.
Work that is two days late will receive a twenty point deduction from the assessed grade.
Work that is more than two days late will receive a fifty percent deduction from the assessed grade.
*Please note: the grace period for late assignments ends the week BEFORE exams at the end of EACH quarter. No late work will be accepted once exams have begun, and none will be accepted when a quarter has ended.
Per AK policy, students in a standard level core class who score below a 69% on a test will have the opportunity to review and then retest. Students must complete assigned after-school review before the retest occurs. The maximum score a student may achieve on the retest is a 70%.
Procedures:
1. Students must sign up for and attend a scheduled after-school tutoring session (2:30-3:15). Sign-ups are available on this site (see the dropdown menu above). During that session, teachers will go over the test and discuss test corrections. Note: any student who does not show up for the remediation session will not be admitted into retesting. Also, any student who demonstrates behavioral problems during the tutoring session or the testing session will be asked to leave and will not be able to retest.
2. Students must sign up with a teacher for an assigned after school retesting option. Retesting will take place between 2:30 and 4:00 on the assigned testing date. One date will be given as an option for retesting in order to minimize cheating. Students who show up late will not be permitted to retest.
***Retesting dates are marked in the course calendar.
Students are expected to do their own work at all times. Cheating is defined as copying tests, quizzes, homework, and other assignments; allowing others to copy your work; and any form of plagiarism; any use of AI to generate what is supposed to be original work. Plagiarism or cheating will result in an automatic zero for the assignment.
Disciplinary action will also result, according to AK policy.
Please note that an honor code violation will remove a student from consideration for the National Honor Society.
Respect and Courtesy First and foremost, you must have and demonstrate respect for yourself. If you do not, no one else can. You will respect your teacher. If you are courteous and respectful, you can expect to receive respect and compassion. Failure to maintain a courteous and respectful demeanor at all times will not be tolerated. Finally, you must respect your peers. You may not always agree with each other, but you may always disagree courteously.
Integrity Lying is never a good idea. Also, plagiarism and cheating are unacceptable. Plagiarism involves claiming as your own work that has been produced by someone else. Cheating can involve copying another person’s work or asking for another’s help where it has not been permitted to do so, or it can mean giving answers or allowing someone else to copy your work. Both are dishonest and dishonorable. Both denote a lack of effort and a lack of pride in your own abilities. Any attempt to do either will result in a zero grade and a referral to administration. There will be no exceptions. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO YOUR OWN WORK!
Effort I intend to work very hard for you, and I do not expect anything less from you. I am responsible for what I teach. You are responsible for what you learn.
Preparation and Timeliness Tardiness is rude. You should be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings. Sliding through the door as the bell rings is not acceptable. You should have all materials with you, as you will not be going to your locker for any reason. Lack of preparation will affect your participation grade. Please do not ask me to let you in after the bell rings. Per school policy I must send you to lockout in SMC.
Absolutely NO Excuses!!! There is no excuse for disrespect. There is no excuse for a lack of preparation. There is no excuse for a lack of effort. There is no excuse for cheating or lying. Absence is not an excuse for missed work. If you know you will be absent, make arrangements to keep up with your assignments and learning ahead of time. If you are unexpectedly ill the day an assignment is due, someone else should bring in your work, or you may e-mail it to me. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO PREPARE AN ASSIGNMENT! You never know what will come up and no excuse (i.e. printer/computer failure) is acceptable when adequate time has been given and you have calendars with due dates available to you.
Keep your hands to yourself. Always.
If you don’t have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all. (Mom was right on this one.)
Stay awake! There is no snooze button in here.
If I am made aware in any way of the unauthorized existence or use of your cell phone on the premises, I will confiscate it. Please do not ask me not to follow school policy on this.
Bring your work in on time. Late homework will not be accepted for full credit.
Be in your seat when the bell rings.
Go to the bathroom before you come to class. You will not be leaving the room for the next 90 minutes.
The only beverage permitted is water in a clear water bottle (but please consider item #7 when making your choices). Food is not permitted.
If you fail to adhere to class and school expectations, there will be consequences.
· Tardy students are automatically sent to lockout.
· Three or more absences must be reported to parents.
· Major infractions (i.e. violence, illicit substances, sexual harassment) will be referred to administration.
· Other infractions and class disruptions will result in the following measures:
First offense: verbal warning
Second offense: conference with teacher and phone call home
Third offense: conference with teacher and parents
Fourth offense: detention
Fifth offense: referral to administration
****And I bet you're all too young to know that the three sections of the "rules" are named for old, kinda bad TV shows that I liked anyway!