Expectations

After reading through the expectations below, Click HERE to fill out the Google form acknowledging your understanding of the class expectations.

Biology Class Expectations


Mrs. Berkman

email: jberkman@jeffcoschools.us


Mrs. DuRoss

email: edross@jeffcoschools.us


Mrs. King

email: Nicole.King@jeffco.k12.co.us


Biology is a class designed to involve you in the activities of science rather than only reading from a textbook. In this class you will design and carry out experiments and complete projects in which you will record, organize, make interpretations of your findings and present your findings to the class. The knowledge and experience gained in this class will allow you to act in an informed and intelligent way when making decisions about current issues that involve science and technology.


SUPPLIES NEEDED

The following supplies are needed daily in class: lab packet, 3 ring binder, paper, graph paper, pencils/pens, highlighters, colored pencils, scissors, glue sticks, working and charged computer/chromebook. It is your responsibility to bring class supplies daily.


CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR (In person and Remote)

  1. Class starts at the start of the designated class time. You are tardy if you are not in the classroom ready to go (in your seat) at the start of the designated class time. Attendance will be taken within the first 10 minutes of class.

  2. Come to class prepared every day (*see supplies listed above)

  3. There is a time to talk and a time to listen. Courtesy and respect will dictate which you are doing at any particular time. Appropriate class behavior is expected of you from the moment you enter the room.

  4. Unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Think about it before you do it. There will be specific safety rules given and they must all be followed at all times.

  5. Food, drinks, and gum will not be allowed in the physical classroom.

  6. Class is over when you are dismissed.

  7. School property is for you to use but never to damage in any way. You must pay for any damage.

  8. Maturity and good sense should cover almost any situation. Think first.

  9. All school rules are enforced in the classroom.

  10. Cell phones not allowed without teacher permission. Place cell phone in teacher’s designated cell phone holder.

  11. Copying of any assignments (and allowing other students to copy your work) will not be tolerated and will result in zero points for that assignment. Students are expected to complete their own work. Academic misconduct will be handled by administration and recorded on a permanent academic record.


MAKE-UP WORK

Any student who is excused from being absent is allowed 2 schools days for every day absent to make up the work missed. For example, if a student misses Friday's class and an assignment was assigned that day the student has until Wednesday to turn in the work. However, if a student is present the day an assignment is given and is absent the day the assignment is due the assignment must be submitted the day the student returns to school.

  • Late Work: late work will result in a 50% deduction in points.

  • You are responsible for making up all missed work when absent. To find out what you missed when you are absent please do not ask me during class time as that is time for instruction. Instead I expect you to follow the calendar (and teacher’s learning platform). I will not chase you down to remind you of your responsibilities.

  • I will not accept assignments after the unit assessment. If you miss class the day before a test/ presentation that does not excuse you from the test or presentation when you return unless you have communicated to me and made other arrangements.

  • Remember I want to see you succeed but you are responsible for your grade and it is your responsibility for making up work when missing class.


TEST TAKING POLICY

There is to be no communication (verbal or nonverbal) between students or using online sources during a testing session. Any student talking, or engaging in any other inappropriate test-taking behavior, will receive a zero for that exam. The purpose of performance assessments is to see what you know and understand, not what other students understand.


NOTEBOOKS

You will need a 3 ring notebook solely for Biology. Within this notebook should be: lecture notes, class work, homework. It is strongly recommended to have an organizational system in place solely for Biology.


GRADING POLICY

  1. Your Course grade will consist of Homework, Projects, Presentations, PBL’s, Lab work, Tests/Quizzes, Participation, and Attendance/(Professionalism). Points are assigned to all graded activities and the total points determine the grade. It is up to the teacher to grade portions of the assignment to determine the grade. Please be aware that due to unforeseen circumstances grading policies are subject to change. We will always have students in mind when evaluating student learning.


  1. Grading scale

A - 90 - 100%

B - 80 - 89 %

C - 70 - 79 %

D - 60 - 69 %

F - 0 - 59 %

**Grades are updated in Infinite Campus regularly and are available to students and parents 24/7. Weekly calls are also sent by EHS office staff for students with D/F’s. It is a student’s responsibility to stay informed about their grade at all times. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their students and use Infinite Campus to stay up to date on current grades.

  1. Extra credit is not assigned at the end of the grading period to "save" a grade. There are extra credit activities during the year. Take advantage of them at the assigned time. To be eligible for extra credit there must be no “missings” in the grade book.


  1. Late papers will be accepted for half credit. However, once the test has been given and the unit is completed late work will not be accepted. Assignments must be submitted by the due date and time specified. Late work will not be accepted after the end of year due dates given by teacher.



Professionalism

PROFESSIONALISM consists of a variety of learned behaviors that demonstrate RESPECT, INTEGRITY, and ACCOUNTABILITY. While high school students are not expected to be adults, we want to encourage you to cultivate these values in your behavior.


RESPECT each other and our time, space and materials:

Be kind and courteous. Do not interfere with others learning. Demonstrate good manners by being polite and gracious. There is a time to talk and a time to listen. Slurs, put-downs, and disrespectful speech and actions will not be tolerated.

Be present. Engage in what we are doing and be ready to ask questions and discuss what you are learning and why it matters.

Be safe. Unsafe behavior will not be tolerated so think about what you are doing before you do it. Safety rules must be followed at all times. Treat shared property appropriately. Take care of the equipment and facilities as if it were your own. Carelessness may result in removal from the lab and fines for any damages, if applicable. School property is for you to use but never to abuse and damage to any equipment will result in a fine.

Be on time. Class starts as scheduled. You are tardy if you are not ready to learn when we begin.

Be prepared. Come to class every day with your notebook, supplies, and any ongoing assignments.

INTEGRITY is synonymous with honorable.

Be truthful, trustworthy and ethical. Do not cheat or lie by taking the work of others and trying to pass it off as your own. Any student who presents the work of others as their own will receive a zero for that assignment. Parents will be contacted, a note will be posted in Infinite Campus, and the student will be referred to administration. Verbal and non-verbal communication during assessments is considered cheating. Cheating can affect college admissions.


ACCOUNTABILITY affects everyone.

Attend class. Your participation will help you learn the skills and content of this course. Parents need to excuse all absences by calling the attendance line at EHS. If a student misses class, they need to check Google Classroom to see what they have missed. Students have two days to make up work from when they are absent. However, if they miss a test or due date, they are expected to have the work completed the day they return.

Work hard. Be engaged in the activities we are doing, complete your assignments when they are assigned. Depending on how you use your class time, completion of labs and projects may demand more time outside of class. You will need to complete assignments in a timely manner to be adequately prepared for assessments.

Use office hours and asynchronous learning time effectively. This will decrease your class work load.