Open House Q&A

Q: What does Ms. Harris' Teach?

A: The Entrepreneurship Pathway! Intro to Business & Tech is the Year 1 course, Legal Environment of Business is the Year 2 course, and Entrepreneurship is the final Year 3 course. The completion of this pathway and passing the state EOPA (End of Pathway Assessment) will award the student with a cord and diploma seal at graduation. 

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Q: How can I stay up to date with what's going on?

A: Infinite Campus and Google Classroom is everyone's best friends! Infinite Campus can give you real-time grade updates and communication from teachers. I use Infinite Campus the majority of the time to communicate with parents and students about grades. Google Classroom shows you the logistics of when assignments were given, what is required, when it's due, etc. Google Classroom is going to be a huge resource (if not the main resource) for students and parents throughout the school year.

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Q: Where can I find what my student is learning and their assignments?

A: Student Guides in GOOGLE CLASSROOM, which can be found under the "Classwork" tab. Parents can be invited to be a guardian on their student's account. Parents can get "email summaries" that tell them about class activity and missing/upcoming work, but not their grade itself. But, you can also ask your student to pull up Google Classroom on their Chromebook and they can show you the Student Guide for each unit that we've been in.

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Q: What is a Student Guide (can also be called "CAT Guide")?

A: It is a timeline and layout of the Unit that the students will be instructed through. It lists assignments (and when they'll be given out), vocabulary terms, and assignment resources (rubrics, article links, PowerPoints, etc.) Unit assignment deadline dates and times will always be listed at the top.

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Q: What is the "Unit Assignment Deadline" and what does that entail?

A: It is a hard deadline that is the most absolute last point in time that a student can submit ANY assignment from that specific unit for some sort of credit. It is usually a Friday date at 5PM. But, it could also be either a Wednesday @ 3:15pm or Sunday @ 11:59PM. Once the deadline hits, the submission tabs on Google Classroom will lock and I will not accept the assignment (unless the student is given an extension) even if the student somehow is able to turn it in. 

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Q: My student turned in the assignment before the Unit Assignment Deadline, and they got a low score. I looked at their assignment before they turned it in, why are so many points deducted?

A: There is a "5 points off a day" policy once the assignment is originally submitted late. There is 5 points automatically deducted once the due time has passed. More info can be found in the Syllabus.

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Q: My student turned in their assignment on Google Classroom, but you haven't graded it. Why is that?

A: There is a good chance that your student turned in the assignment late, after the Unit Assignment Deadline has passed. Students and Parents can find the Student Guide on Google Classroom (or the dates on Infinite Campus) to see when the assignment was originally due  before getting subjected to late points off. And they can find when the Unit Assignment Deadline is for the absolute last chance to be able to submit the work for credit.

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Q: How much time do students get to complete work in your class? Do you give homework?

A: Students get time at the end of our class each day to independently work. I always encourage students to utilize the remaining class time to complete the assignment so they do not have to complete the work at home. I do remind students that if they goof off in class, but don't want to do the work at home, then it won't get done. There are always plenty of reminders of due dates vocally by the teacher, at least 2 places written on the board, and of course, listed in multiple places on Google Classroom. 

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Q: My student has zeros in Infinite Campus and it's dropping their grade. How can they replace those missing assignments?

A: Students will be directed to write an essay per each unit they would like to replace zeros in. They will have to write how what they learned and how it relates to each standard. The essays can be written and submitted at any point in the semester. The hard deadline is usually the Friday at 5PM before Finals Week. More information can be found in the Syllabus.

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Q: Is there a cell phone/technology policy?

A: Yes! Per the Syllabus, "Students are NOT ALLOWED to use cell phones during class time. Each student will be assigned a number, and their phones are required to go into the Cell Phone Caddy (in their corresponding number) in the back of the room. Ms. Harris may ask questions where the student will need to use their mobile device. Otherwise, phones will STAY OUT OF USE for the duration of class time. Chromebooks/Lab Computers are usually in use AFTER the lesson is completed. If Ms. Harris has to inform the student to put their phone in the caddy once, it’s a warning. The second time and/or refusal to do so, it’s a Step in the 4-Step Referral Process."

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Have any other questions? Send me an email! amari.harris@henry.k12.ga.us