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Welcome to Mrs. Servin-West's class website! In the area below you can find general information about my classroom rules, policies, and contact information. Please check google classroom for homework assignments and announcements.
Email: jservinwest@lvusd.org
Classrooms:
Science: Room S-6
Robotics: Room 24
Office Hours:
I am available during the second half of lunch in room 24 on Thursdays to help students with science/robotics questions.
I am available during morning Science Support on Wednesdays from 7:50am-8:45am in Room S6 for test retakes, homework help, and any other assistance students might need with their science classes.
If you or your parents need to meet with me outside of these office hours, please email me to schedule an appointment.
1. Be respectful towards others, the school, and other’s property. Follow school rules at all times.
2. Be prepared and on time for class with all materials, homework, and your planner.
3. Get permission. Raise your hand before speaking, wait to use lab materials until instructed to do so, and leave electronic devices in your backpacks unless instructed otherwise.
4. Follow lab safety rules. Pay attention to your surroundings and ensure the safety of yourself and others. Backpacks must remain under tables at all times. Remember, no food, drinks, or make-up in the labs.
5. Make good choices! You are responsible for your own learning and the relationships you build with others in school. Think before you act and make choices you can be proud of!
Suggested Materials:
School Acer or personal laptop. If you are using your own laptop, it is your responsibility to make sure you can access the online resources used in class. Please see me at lunch if you need assistance downloading robotics software or accessing a science simulation.
Blue/black ink pen and pencils. If you are using pencils it can be helpful to have a pencil sharpener or extra lead as well. I highly recommend storing your writing/art supplies in a pencil case. Keeping writing tools organized will help you transition from one class to another efficiently without loosing any supplies!
Art/Engineering Supplies: Colored pencils, highlighters, scissors, tape, glue, pencil sharpeners, and rulers are all extremely helpful to have in your pencil case. Class supplies can be checked out using a student ID, but I highly recommend having at least your own set of colored pencils since those are frequently used.
Dedicated science composition notebook (Not needed for robotics). Make sure your name and period number are on the cover. Please avoid spiral bound notebooks as they tend to fall apart over time. (Rotation students will not need a notebook.)
Pocket folder or tab in your binder. This will help you organize handouts, homework, labs, etc.
School organizer/Planner (Optional): Although I post all important due dates/announcements on google classroom, a physical planner is a helpful way to organize information for all of your classes in one convenient place.
Grades are weighted based on specific categories for each class (see the syllabus for your class for details). I do not round grades and I do not provide individualized extra credit assignments. If you would like to raise your grade in my class, remember that you can revise projects, turn in missing work, or retake tests.
My goal is for you to master the material in this course. If you receive feedback on an project that suggests that you did not meet the learning requirements, you can update and resubmit the project. The revised project will be regraded, but the maximum score you can earn on a revised assignment is 80%. Please schedule a meeting with me if you are unsure how to respond to feedback.
Students may retake one test per quarter (10 week grading period). The maximum score a student can earn on a test retake is 80%. Please prepare for your retake carefully since the retake score will replace your original score. Test retakes are held during the morning science support period on Wednesdays in room S6 from 7:50am-8:45am. Please email me to schedule your test retake at least one day in advance so I can ensure that we have test materials available.
If you feel sick stay home! However, all other absences should be avoided whenever possible. If you are not in class you are missing out on valuable learning experiences! Furthermore, assignments missed due to unexcused absences can only be turned in for late credit.
You can find all the work you missed on google classroom. You are responsible for checking google classroom and completing missed assignments when you are absent. In order to receive full credit for a missing assignment it must be fully completed and submitted correctly. Physical assignments must properly labeled and turned in to the absent work folder in class. If you are submitting a digital assignment on google classroom, you must include a private comment letting me know that the assignment is late due to an excused absence. The due date for absent work is extended by the same number of days as you were absent from class.
If you are absent for a test, you are expected to make up the test as soon as possible. This generally involves taking the test during class time and making up any classwork you missed at home.
Turning in work on time is an important skill that will help you be successful in school and in work. I expect work to be turned in on time. However, my goal is for you to learn the material. I will accept late work up until the end of the 5 week grading period. Points will be deducted from any assignment turned in late. I will not remind you to turn in missing work and excessive missing late assignments will negatively impact your final grade in class. Late group projects/presentations will need to be completed at lunch or during morning support. All other late work must be submitted on google classroom or properly labeled and tuned in to the late work folder in class. If you are submitting a google classroom assignment late, you must include a private comment so I know to go back and regrade that assignment. I will not grade late assignments that are not fully completed and properly submitted.
Technology allows us to do incredible things, but it also allows for incredible distractions! Please remain on task while using laptops. You should not be messaging friends, gaming, checking social media, or sending emails unrelated to the current activity. Cell phones and smart devices, such as an apple watch, should be turned off and stored in your backpack during class. You are NEVER allowed to use your laptop/phone to take pictures or videos of other students in class.
I keep a bookcase full of materials for students to use on projects. I would love your help keeping the student bookcase supplied so that all students can access a variety of materials. Any of the following donations would be greatly appreciated:
Blue painters tape
Markers
Colored pencils and/or crayons
Glue (liquid glue, glue sticks, and mini hot glue sticks)
Craft sticks
Pipe cleaners
Paper (colored construction, lined, or graph paper)
Paper towels
Cardboard tubes (from rolls of paper towels or wrapping paper)
Mini hot glue guns and hot glue sticks
Tissues
Baby wipes
Liquid soap (please NO antimicrobial hand soap)
Pencils
Highlighters
Remember Wednesday is the first day of school!