POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Materials for the Course
Students should have the following materials for the course:
2-Inch (or larger) Binder
- Lined Paper for in the Binder
- 7 Dividers for in the Binder
- Writing Utensils
Contacting Teacher
There a variety of ways in which students and parents can contact me:
- Email: At a minimum, I check my school based email at least three times a day: before school, during my planning period and after school.
- Phone: Feel free to call the school directly if you would like to speak with me. The best time to reach me is during my Planning Period.
Office Hours
I usually arrive by 7:45 AM and remain until 3:45 PM. I am available most days before school, after school and at lunch to assist students and answer questions.
Coursework
AP US Government & Politics, is a 3-credit intensive college course. As a result, students should expect a challenging workload that will take a significant amount of time outside of school. It is impossible for the teacher to cover all the material during the class time we have, thus the student must complete all required coursework to be best prepared for the exam. Coursework includes the following types of tasks:
- Notes: Take notes on video and in-class lectures, discussions, and readings.
- Discussions: Be prepared to discuss readings, lecture materials, and various assignments.
- Skimm Current Events: At the beginning of the year, students will sign up for the daily Skimm email service. Each day, Skimm will send them a short email with a summary of the days major current events. Often, we will discuss these in class. Additionally, students will occasionally have pop quizzes on these. Students should read the Skimm before coming to class every day.
- Writing: Writing is a large portion of the AP exam and as such students will do much writing throughout the year in the format of Free Response Questions (FRQs)
- Quizzes: Reading and preparing for class is the most significant contributed to success in GOPO. For this reason, pop reading quizzes are given regularly. Each quiz consists of 5-10 questions based on the objectives for the unit. The textbook, notes, and supplemental sources will all be helpful in preparing for quizzes.
- Tests: Each chapter and unit will end with a test. These tests will include multiple choice and short answer questions.
- Projects: Students will complete several projects a quarter to enhance their understanding of the content. While time will be given in class, a bulk of the work will be done outside of school.
- Applied Civics Project: The College Board requires students to complete a applied civics project that connects their learning to real-world issues. This will be completed as a class throughout the school year around the topic of the opioid epidemic. Throughout the year, students will learn about the opioid epidemic locally in a variety of ways, including speaking with government leaders as a part of our class, visiting government emergency service agencies including the Cumberland Fire Dept., Sheriff’s Office, and 911 Center, and they will also go and watch local drug court and speak with the judge. Students will learn how the federal, state and local government are involved in the issue and how they work together (including the three branches of government) to combat the epidemic. At the end of the year, students will present what they have learned at a gathering of their parents. [CR14]
Extra Credit
While extra credit is not offered, students will have many opportunities to earn bonus points throughout the year by attending review sessions, outside of school opportunities, excellent work, extraordinary effort, etc. These bonus points can be utilized on any assignment with the exception of unit tests and examinations. Students are highly encouraged to take up these opportunities.
Discipline
It is my goal as the teacher to create a learning environment that is so engaging that students forget they are learning. I work hard to develop lessons that cultivate your student’s creativity, incorporate technology, are engaging and push the student to work hard and critically think. My goal is for students not to go away from this course just knowing “facts” that they won’t remember five years from now, but to create an experience for students where they are able to discover new things, collaborate with their peers, individually apply the material we learn and be excited about learning. Knowing all this, it is my desire that time is not taken from learning for misconduct. In the case of misconduct, I follow a 3-strikes procedure:
Specific Policies
- Cell Phones: “Information technology use is a privilege which can be denied, revoked, or suspended for a period of time by teachers in their classrooms or by an administrator for the school. When students bring a portable communication device to school, they assume the responsibility for the loss, theft, or use of that device by others.” Mrs. Jean will provide a numbered pocket chart in the classroom, in which students will be assigned a number. When students enter the classroom, they are expected to place their cellphone (powered off) in their assigned pocket. It will remain in that pocket for the duration of the period. Occasionally, we will use cell phones for activities in class in which the student will be permitted to have their phone with them to use strictly for educational purposes. If students are not comfortable with this policy, they should leave their phone secured in their locker. Note on earbuds: It is the official policy of Kell High that earbuds are not permitted in the hallways (exception is the cafeteria at lunch). Occasionally, students will use their earbuds in class as a part of an activity, otherwise, they should be kept away.
- Retaking Assessments: Students are not able to retake any assessment. Students are given plenty of notice to prepare for assessments as well as review options and my office hours of which they can sign up for so they can have my undivided attention. With that being said, it is understandable that we all have bad days and that as a result a student may score poorly on an assessment. That is why there will be a variety of assessments a grading period, so students have plenty of opportunity to improve their grade.
- Absences/Make-Up Work: Because of the fast-paced nature of the course and the amount of material covered, students are encouraged to be in class. However, there will be days when a student is out as a result of a school based function, being sick, or other reason. Students are responsible for any work they miss while absent. “Students shall be permitted two school days for each day absent to make up work. These make up absence days will begin the second day after the student returns. This policy does not automatically extend due date for long-term assignments unless approved by the principal.” If absent for an assessment, the student must make it up the very next day (as they are notified several days in advance). Students are responsible for following Edmodo when out of class and speaking to the teacher about missed work.
o Absent During Assessment: If a student is absent when an assessment is given, it is the students responsibility to make arrangements with Mrs. Jean to take that assessment.
- Late Work: Unless there is an extenuating circumstance (determined by the teacher) late work is not accepted and will be entered as a 0.
o End of Grading Period: At the end of a grading period, students are not permitted to turn in old late or missing work (including if they were absent – see absence policy) and no end of quarter extra credit is given. There are many bonus point opportunities throughout the quarter which the student can utilize.
- Academic Dishonesty
o Cheating: Cheating by any means on any work, projects or assessments is unacceptable. Students who are found to be cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment, this includes on assessments. During assessments, this includes going to other locations on the computer/Internet outside the testing portal, talking to others during the test, utilizing notes, having a cell phone on their person, etc.