Student Expectations
Updated for 2024-2025
Updated for 2024-2025
Your behaviour while at the school, in the classroom, on the bus, or at any school sponsored activity should be in line with the Code of Conduct as outlined in the MacDonald Drive Junior High Student and Family Handbook, available on the MDJH Policies and Documents page.
Please come to class prepared with the things you need for learning. This could mean your binder, loose leaf, exercise book, textbook, novel, pencil and eraser (or pen if you're brave), and other necessary items depending on the unit we are on. I also expect you to bring your heads with you, so be prepared to learn!
The cell phone policy at MacDonald Drive Junior High has been clearly communicated to students and parents, and it is explained in the Handbook and Code of Conduct. Cell phones are not to be brought into the classroom, meaning they must be either left home or placed in lockers during class time. Any cell phones found in the classroom will be sent to the office. The office has procedures for confiscating phones and for students with repeat infractions, parents/guardians must collect the phone from the office.
In accordance with the school policy, I do not allow students to use their Chromebook during class time unless they have been given permission or direction to use it. I do expect you to bring your Chromebook with you, charged and ready to be used. Given that you are not allowed your cell phone in class, without your Chromebook, you may be missing an in-class activity and may have to complete it as homework.
It's recommended that you keep a set of earbuds or headphones in your Chromebook case (cheap ones are fine) in case we do any listening activities. Also while you are completing seat work, you may use earbuds or headphones listen to music from your Chromebook, however you may only use one headphone or earbud (not in/on both ears) while in school.
Recording video or audio, or taking pictures in class, is strictly prohibited.
As a general rule, I give ample class time to complete assigned work. If work isn't completed during class, it should be completed outside of class.
It is the student's responsibility to complete assigned work by the given deadline. In accordance with the NLSchools Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting policy (2024), on an assignment due date, I will indicate whether the assignment has been completed and submitted, is incomplete, or is missing. For missing or incomplete assignments, I will work with the student to determine a new due date and notify the respective parents/guardians by email. If the assignment is still missing after the subsequent due date, a grade of 0 will be entered for the assignment until the student submits the assignment. Missing work may not be submitted after the reporting period in which it was originally due, unless the original due date was within 2 weeks of the end of the reporting period.
For most assignments and assessments, there will be sufficient class time to complete the work. If you require an extension, I will be much more accommodating if you let me know before the due date (and not the night before). If you need help or guidance on an assignment, please tell me. I don't expect you to be stuck on an assignment the whole way through. You can talk to me in person or email me.
The school has an outlined policy on evaluations. I will follow this policy and will do my best to be reasonable about quiz and test dates.
If at all possible (i.e. if you know you'll be away), please see me (or e-mail me) before the scheduled quiz or test date so that we can arrange an alternative time to write the test. This includes vacations, medical appointments, and any other scheduled absences. If you miss an evaluation without prior arrangements, you will be expected to write the evaluation upon your return, so be ready to write it then.
Please come see me before you go to band or any other school activity during class time, otherwise you may be marked absent unexcused in the attendance.
If you do miss class and some work, it is your responsibility to catch up and complete all classwork, homework and assignments. Some strategies to catch up are:
Ask a classmate
Check this website and Google Classroom - homework is posted here and materials are available on Classroom.
Come see me - If I can't help you right away, we will schedule a time either during lunch or after school where we can get you caught up
Students and parents are welcome to email me (or students can add private comments to assignments in Google Classroom) at any time. If I am not in the middle of something with my family or friends, I will often email back - especially if I'm just sat in front of my computer at home. If I have not responded by 3:00 pm of the next school day, it is very probable that your email has gotten lost in the mass number of messages that are received through a normal work day or it landed in my spam folder. Please, then, send me a "nudge" message indicating that you have tried contacting me. I'll usually apologize profusely and try to quickly address your concern.
If need be, parents/guardians could also ask their child to message me using their school email account as those messages will not go to my spam folder. I do try to check spam regularly, but it does sometimes get missed.
Show up to class prepared: you're not new to school, you should have school supplies and know how to sit attentively in class.
Bring your Chromebook to my class, but keep it away unless you have been directed or given permission.
Notify me in advance: you're a young adult, it is your responsibility to give me a heads up if you're going to be absent or late and you know ahead of time.
Missing a quiz or test means you will be writing it when you get back: be prepared.