Liverpool High School/Mathematics
Algebra 2 2025-2026 Course Syllabus
Instructor Information:
Teacher: Brad MacDuff (Mac)
Classroom: LHS Main Building Room #203
E-mail: bmacduff@liverpool.k12.ny.us
Course Description:
Students in this course have the option of sitting for the Algebra II Next Gen Regents exam in June. Specific topics include: rational & irrational expressions, complex numbers, equations & inequalities, quadratics, exponents & logarithms, sequences & series, relations and functions, probability & statistics, introduction to trigonometry, trigonometric applications, graphics & equations.
The NY State Algebra II Regent Exam is optional in June, however students will have an in class final exam at the end of the year, that will count as a 5th marking period grade.
Grading Policy:
70% - Formal Assessments that include, but not limited to tests, quizzes and projects.
30% - Practice Assignments that include, but not limited to homeworks and classwork.
Plagiarism Policy:
Doing academic work requires that the work you turn in is your own, representing your
thinking and demonstrating your understanding. An assignment that is completed using
other sources (i.e. AI/ChatGPT, Google, databases, your friends, other online or print
sources, etc.) is not considered your own original work and is a form of plagiarism.
While some assignments may indeed require the use of sources, failing to properly
credit/cite those sources and/or passing others’ ideas/work off as your own, is also
considered plagiarism.
Academic integrity is an essential component of our course and therefore plagiarism is a
serious violation. The penalties for plagiarism include earning a failing grade on the
assignment, parent notification, and risking your ability to be successful in the course.
Any paper, final or project that is plagiarized will receive a zero. Students may be
required to complete additional work demonstrating their understanding of the role
plagiarism plays in violating academic integrity.
Regents Policy:
Students enrolled in this course have the option to take the Algebra II Regents exam as scheduled by NYSED.
The Regents exam will not count as a course grade
Students will have a final exam count as a 5th marking period (20% of your overall average)
Schoolwide Cell Phone Policy:
LHS has implemented a “bell-to-bell” ban on all cell phones* and internet-enabled devices during school hours. From the time students arrive at school until they are dismissed, cell phones and other internet-enabled devices must be turned off and put away. This includes time in class, lunch, study halls, and passing time between periods. Every student is assigned a personal Yondr pouch. Students must place their cell phone and/or any other internet-enabled devices in their Yondr pouches daily. While the Yondr pouch is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their pouch with them to school every day and keep it in good working condition.
VIOLATIONS
Pouch Damage / Lost Pouch / Using Phone During School
If a student damages their pouch, refuses to follow the policy, loses their pouch, or is caught using their phone, the phone will be collected by administration and secured in the Dean’s Office, and families will be notified. Repeated and/or serious violations will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Conduct, which may include discipline, a parent conference, daily phone check-in, loss of privileges, or other appropriate interventions.
1st violation: The device is kept in the Dean’s office until the end of the day. Parents/guardians are notified.
2nd violation: The device is kept in the Dean’s office until the end of the day. Parents/guardians are notified and required to pick up the student’s device.
3rd and future violations: A parent will need to pick up the device from the office. In some cases, the student may need to turn in their device daily for a period of time.
Examples of damage:
Deep scratches on the globe and on the green ring around it
Intentional pen marks on the inside of the pouch
Bent pins
Pin and button not fully recessing, due to pin damage
Forgotten Pouch
If a student forgets their pouch, their phone will be collected and a Dean will call home to remind the family of the policy. The phone will be kept in a labeled locker, stored in the Dean’s office, and returned to the student at dismissal. If a student consistently forgets their pouch, it is considered lost.
*Applies to cell phones and/or any internet-enabled device.
Homework Policy:
Grading: Homework/Classwork is recorded in the “Practice” of the grade-book, unless otherwise stated. Homework is based on effort and completeness.
Effort: The amount of work and dedication you put into completing your homework. This includes attempting all problems, showing your work, and demonstrating a sincere attempt to understand and solve the problems.
Completeness: Whether all parts of the homework assignment are done. This means that you have addressed all questions or tasks in the assignment, regardless of correctness.
Deltamath Assignments are based on grade earned, unless otherwise stated.
Please do your own work as it is practice for assessments. While it's encouraged to ask questions and seek help from each other and support staff, make sure that you are doing the heavy lifting and thoroughly understanding the material.
Late Work:
A “Life Happens” coupon will be handed out at the beginning of each unit. These coupons will give students additional time to complete homework.
Homework is due on the assigned due date. Late homework will not be accepted, with the exception of using a “Life Happens” coupon to postpone the due date of an assignment:
Students can fill out the “Life Happens” coupon and staple it to the assignment. A late assignment must be turned in before the end of the unit.
Extra Help:
If you want Mac to pull you in for AA, you need to fill out his form that resides on Google Classroom. Keep in mind, I can only pull you in, if you give me enough time to do so.
If you have a study hall, a math lab staffed by a math teacher is open for help, just let the study hall teacher know.
I am available after school on some Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I need to pre-arrange them so I have daycare coverage for my own kids.
Notes:
If you want to be successful in this class, you have to do the practice. The practice will help prepare you for the quizzes and tests.
If you need help, I got you! But I need you to speak up and ask questions. I can only help if you communicate with me.
I love my job and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know each of you.