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Hello! Welcome!
Hello! Welcome!
I am very excited to be your teacher this year at Valley! We are going to have fun exploring various science topics through many activities, demonstrations, discussions, small group lectures, research, and projects!
I am very excited to be your teacher this year at Valley! We are going to have fun exploring various science topics through many activities, demonstrations, discussions, small group lectures, research, and projects!
Classroom Supplies
Classroom Supplies
Students should bring these items with them EVERY DAY to class.
LCPS Issued Chromebook AND Charger
LCPS Issued Chromebook AND Charger
Pens or Pencils
Pens or Pencils
2 Notebooks (One to be kept in the classroom)
2 Notebooks (One to be kept in the classroom)
Folder or binder
Folder or binder
Recommended Supplies: colored pencils, highlighter, markers, glue stick, headphones, shoes that can get dirty
Class Expectations
Class Expectations
All students will be prime examples of respect and integrity. Everyone has the right to pursue an education in a safe and supportive atmosphere. I expect you to respect yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and the learning environment at all times. All students are expected to:
All students will be prime examples of respect and integrity. Everyone has the right to pursue an education in a safe and supportive atmosphere. I expect you to respect yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and the learning environment at all times. All students are expected to:
Be engaged and an active participant in class
Be engaged and an active participant in class
Be prepared with all necessary materials
Be prepared with all necessary materials
Be responsible and respectful
Be responsible and respectful
Be honest and follow the academic integrity policy
Be honest and follow the academic integrity policy
Abide by all LCPS policies and LVHS Best Practices including- Placing your phone in the pouch, arriving to class on time, using E-hallpass to leave the room with permission, etc.
Abide by all LCPS policies and LVHS Best Practices including- Placing your phone in the pouch, arriving to class on time, using E-hallpass to leave the room with permission, etc.
Communicate often with Ms. Smink
Communicate often with Ms. Smink
Grading
Grading
There are 4 grading categories: diagnostic formative, graded formative, minor summative, and major summative. The weighting of those categories in the gradebook are
There are 4 grading categories: diagnostic formative, graded formative, minor summative, and major summative. The weighting of those categories in the gradebook are
Diagnostic Formative = 0%
Grade Formative = 10%
Minor Summative = 30% (for academic classes); 20% (for AP and IB classes)
Major Summative = 60% (for academic classes); 70% (for AP and IB classes)
*Students that complete all formative work on time at a passing score of 60% or higher AND complete minor summative tasks on time at an 80% or higher will earn a minimum mastery score on the unit major summative of a 65%.
Late Work Procedure
Late Work Procedure
Submit ALL work on time
Submit ALL work on time
- All assignments will be given a deadline. Meeting deadlines ensures you get feedback quickly and know where you stand in the class. Due dates are set to help reduce stress, avoid last-minute pressure, and keep learning manageable.
Late Work
Late Work
- Any major summative work turned in late/ after the deadline will follow the LCPS reassessment policy for earning a max score up to a 70%.
- If minor summative assignments are submitted late, they will receive a grade floor (50%) only if reasonable effort is determined by the teacher. Minor summative assignments will not be accepted after the end of the unit.
- Major summative work submitted after a unit ends will only be considered for a grade floor (50%). A student will only earn that gradefloor if reasonable effort is determined by the teacher.
- All formative work must be submitted on time. Formative work will not be accepted late.
Quarter Deadlines
Quarter Deadlines
- All work for the quarter must be turned in one week before the quarter ends.
- Work submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Retake Eligibility
Retake Eligibility
- Any work not submitted by the original due date will not qualify for a retake opportunity.
Reassessment Procedure
Reassessment Procedure
Students who earn below a 70% on a major summative will be eligible to reassess for a better grade up to an 70%.
Students who earn below a 70% on a major summative will be eligible to reassess for a better grade up to an 70%.
In order to be eligible for the reassessment opportunity, the student MUST have ALL formative work turned in on time and completed at a passing score (60% or better), complete the additional remediation opportunity, have completed the original assignment by the due date, and then retake/redo the alternative summative within one week of the original summative (unless otherwise indicated by Ms. Smink).
In order to be eligible for the reassessment opportunity, the student MUST have ALL formative work turned in on time and completed at a passing score (60% or better), complete the additional remediation opportunity, have completed the original assignment by the due date, and then retake/redo the alternative summative within one week of the original summative (unless otherwise indicated by Ms. Smink).
It is the student's responsibility to inform Ms. Smink that they want to do a retake. They must request a Viking Time pass to set this up within the one week requirement. Otherwise, they will not be able to retake.
It is the student's responsibility to inform Ms. Smink that they want to do a retake. They must request a Viking Time pass to set this up within the one week requirement. Otherwise, they will not be able to retake.
Any work not submitted by the original due date will not qualify for a retake opportunity.
Any work not submitted by the original due date will not qualify for a retake opportunity.
Students are always welcome to communicate with me in regards to all grading. Viking Time is the best time to do this (NOT at the start or end of class).
Students are always welcome to communicate with me in regards to all grading. Viking Time is the best time to do this (NOT at the start or end of class).
Steps for Success in Ms. Smink's Class
Steps for Success in Ms. Smink's Class
1. Maintain a positive attitude. You can do it!
2. Be sure to have notifications turned on for Schoology and Remind to stay up to date on class materials and important dates!
3. Arrive to our class session ON TIME and prepared.
4. Do not say “I don’t know” or “I can’t do it,” instead say “I need a minute to think about it” because you do know or it is OKAY if you don't (After all, you are here to learn!) and you can do it.
5. Turn in all work ON TIME. Please respect due dates.
6. Set up an appointment with your teacher for additional help.
7. If you are absent, retrieve missed work from Schoology and make up in a timely manner. See the teacher for assistance.
8. Check the Daily Agenda Slides frequently.
9. Ask questions! Ask for help! Communicate with Ms. Smink.
Classroom Donations
Classroom Donations
The following items are used in class frequently. If you are interested and able in making a donation to our class student center, there is a list of frequently needed supplies below. Thank you so much for your consideration!
-Notebook Paper
-Glue Sticks
-Tape
-Tissues
-Dry Erase Markers
-Sharpies
-Pencils
-Hand Soap
-Markers
-Index cards
-Block Erasers
-Clorox Wipes
Contact information: Please ensure that your contact information with the school is updated under “My account” in ParentVue. Any emails that I send will go to the email that you have provided in your account.
Phoenix (aka StudentVue, ParentVue, and TeacherVue): If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for your own parent access. You and your child are responsible for tracking grades and raising concerns if you have them. We post quarterly report cards, but the best time to address a grade is immediately after it is entered into the grade book. Please have your student contact their teachers if there is any question about a grade.
Academic Honesty
Academic Honesty
Classroom Phone Expectation
Classroom Phone Expectation
Cell phones will be placed in the designated pouches upon entering the classroom and remain there until the dismissal bell at the end of the block.
Cell phones will be placed in the designated pouches upon entering the classroom and remain there until the dismissal bell at the end of the block.
Cell phones and audio devices (earbuds) will not be accessible during instructional time, including Viking Time.
Why?
Deepen student learning and engagement
Prevent distractions
We value meaningful connections
Support student mental health
Students will be able to access their cell phones and audio devices:
Between class changes with the expectation of arriving to each class on time
Lunch
Before and after school
Study hall
In class, for teacher-directed content and/or
instructional purposes
Upon entering the classroom students will:
Turn off cell phones and place them in the phone holder.
Airpods, earbuds, headphones and other audio devices shall be turned off and stored out of sight
Cell phones and audio devices shall remain off and away during the
entirety of class, including bathroom breaks.E-hall pass and Remind are accessible via Chromebooks.
If students need to communicate with parents, coaches, employers, etc., they should do so during passing periods or lunch. If it is an immediate concern, students should go to the main office. Likewise, if parents need to reach students, for an emergency, please contact the main office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay for parents to contact you?
Yes, of course! Email me at Cassandra.Smink@lcps.org. Conferences are available upon request, by phone or in person. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please email me. I am here to help your child be successful.
Are there times outside of class when my child can see you?
Yes. We can set up a meeting during Viking Time.
What if my child has trouble sitting still or focusing?
While staying awake is a requirement to learn, sitting still and listening passively is not. I highly encourage appropriate use of fidgets and taking "brain breaks." Students may also stand and/or walk around the room as needed.
How often do you update the grade book?
I grade assignments as quickly as possible and update the grade book immediately. Research papers, essays and large projects sometimes take longer to grade. You can expect to see weekly grade book updates.
What do the letters in the grade book mean?
Please check with individual teachers for more specific details about how each handles their own grade book, but this is what the letters mean in our classes.
‘X’ means the student is exempt from the assignment and it will not affect his grade.
‘Z’ means the work was due, but not submitted and is factored as a ‘0’ until the work is completed. The zero will be replaced once the work is submitted and graded.
‘R’ means that a student earned less than 50%, but the teacher put 50% in the grade book, as a minimal grade.
'S' means the work submitted is satisfactory or of a passing score of 60% or higher. This is used for formative work only.
'U' means the work is unsatisfactory or of a failing score, incomplete, or not submitted on time. This is used for formative work only.
What do the terms ‘formative’ and ‘summative’ mean?
-‘Formative’ means that the teaching and learning is still happening and we are just performing a check to see how the student is progressing. These will not be factored into the student’s grade. These are graded on an satisfactory/unsatisfactory scale AKA pass/fail.
-‘Summative’ means that the teaching is finished for that topic and the students have had opportunities to learn it. We are summarizing the student’s learning and the grade is factored into the quarterly report. Even summative grades can be replaced if the student learns the missed material and shows greater mastery. Students must come ask for this opportunity.
Are there opportunities for retakes if my child doesn’t perform well?
Please see the "Reassessment Policy" outlined above. Students should communicate with me when they would like to request a retake for a major summative assignment. Students are offered multiple opportunities to show mastery. For learning products, I will offer feedback and students may resubmit with revisions to show increased learning. The grade will be adjusted accordingly.
Please email me if you have any additional questions. I look forward to hearing from you! Cassandra.Smink@lcps.org
Please email me if you have any additional questions. I look forward to hearing from you! Cassandra.Smink@lcps.org
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