Class Policies
Hoover City Schools Code of Student Conduct
Students are responsible for understanding the rules found in this document: Code of Student Conduct for 2023-2024
Grading
Major tests and assignments (papers, projects, etc.) are generally worth 50-100 points each and make up approximately 60% of a student's grade; therefore, these tests and assignments weigh heavily on the grade the student will receive at the end of the nine weeks. Quizzes and minor assignments (article responses and such) are generally worth 20-40 points each and make up approximately 30% of a student's grade. Finally, any minor homework or classwork assignments that count for a grade account for the final 10% of the student's overall grade for the nine weeks.
Reporting of Grades
Grades for my class will be entered into the online grade book as quickly as possible. In the case of tests and quizzes, these grades will often be available through PowerSchool by the time the student gets home on the day of said test or quiz. Be aware, though, that written assignments (papers, article responses, etc.) take some time to grade, and it can take up to two weeks (depending on the assignment) for those grades to be posted online. Parents and students should monitor grades online through PowerSchool and should not hesitate to send Mr. Fromme an e-mail (dfromme@hoover.k12.al.us) with any questions they have.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Any attempt by a student to intentionally present another's words or ideas as his or her own is a serious offense (this includes the use of generative AI when the student is asked to produce original work. See my class AI Policy here). A grade of 0.01 will be entered for any assignment in which the student's product includes plagiarized text or ideas, and a referral will be made to the office so that an administrator can deal with the offense appropriately. In cases of plagiarism or academic dishonesty, the assignment can't be made up. It's a good idea to check out these resources to help you make sure you're not committing plagiarism.
Make-up/Late Work Policy
Make-up work must be made up promptly. Much of the work in this class can be completed and submitted online even if a student is absent on the official due date. If that is the case for a particular assignment, the due date stands even if the student was absent from school (unless the student has communicated with Mr. Fromme about a reasonable excuse and has received an extension on the due date). If a student is absent on a due date when work must be turned in physically, the work that was due on that day must be turned in the next time that student comes to class. If a student misses a day when an assignment is given, it is up to that student to check this site and see what he or she missed and to make an effort to obtain whatever materials he or she needs from the website (or from Mr. Fromme) as quickly as possible and complete the assignment in question. A grade of 0 will be entered for any assignment/quiz/test that a student misses or fails to turn in on the due date (even due to absence), but a grade will be entered as soon as the assignment is turned in or made up in a timely and responsible manner. 10% will be deducted from the overall grade for each day that an assignment is late (but this deduction will not apply to tests and quizzes). Speaking of tests and quizzes, just because you miss the day before, doesn't mean you don't have to take it with the rest of the class (For instance, I tell you on Monday that we will have a quiz on Friday and you miss Thursday. You will still take the quiz on Friday). Test and quiz dates and materials are provided at least a week in advance, so you should be prepared whether you miss the day before or not.
Re-takes/Re-dos
Students who wish to improve a grade they received on a 60% test, paper, or project are welcome to do so, but the student must first schedule (and attend) an out of class session with Mr. Fromme (either before or after school) to discuss why he or she earned a low grade with his or her first attempt on the assignment or test and how he or she plans to do better with the second effort.
Handouts/Class Materials Policy
Electronic copies of handouts and class materials will be placed on the class website. Students who miss class for any reason will be expected to check the website to see what they missed and then keep up the best they can by completing any assignments or accessing any class materials they might need.
Electronic Device/E-reader Policy
In addition to their Chromebooks (which they should bring to class every day), students are allowed to bring an e-reader or tablet-sized (not phone-sized though) electronic device (Kindle, Nook, etc. Not an iPad) to my class so long as the devices are used exclusively for reading. These devices, however, are not ever to be used in class to play games or communicate with other people (unless such usage is explicitly and directly approved by me on the occasion that the student is using the device in such a manner). Any student who is discovered using an electronic device in an unapproved manner will lose his or her privilege to bring said device to class the rest of the year. This policy serves as the only warning, and one infraction will be enough to trigger the loss of privilege. Students are not allowed to be on their phones for any reason during class.
Tardy Policy
Students who enter class after the tardy bell has rung (and who do not have a valid pass to class from a teacher or administrator) should expect to be marked as tardy. Any student who enters class after the bell has rung should sign the tardy sign-in sheet by the door regardless of whether or not they have a pass.
Bathroom/Pass from Class Policy
Students are expected to be in class when it's in session. That being said, obviously, there will be times when someone might need to use the restroom. In general, I don't mind students doing this given a few things: don't go during the first 15 minutes of class (as they might miss valuable information), and don't go if I'm in the middle of explaining something to the class (again, it's probably information they need to hear). If this becomes abused (e.g., taking longer than reasonably necessary, leaving class every day without a valid medical reason, etc.) then students will have to stay in class. In this case, students should be sure to use the restroom between classes throughout the day so as not to find themselves needing to do so during the time designated for instruction.
Passes to see another teacher or go to the counselor (except in certain circumstances) and the like will not be given. Schedule those visits outside of class time.