8th Grade Science with Mr. Blackmore and Mr. Catalano

Welcome to 6th-Grade Science! This class will introduce students to science in our natural world. We will explore the Earth and how Science is in everything in nature. We hope everyone is excited to begin a new school year, and we look forward to seeing each and every one of you, in person!

Every year we strive for our students to be their absolute best. At WMS, we set up a list of non-negotiables for all students to follow. These are our first steps to success, and we expect all students to follow these guidelines all year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to contact you?

If you are contacting us regarding your student's progress in class, please email both of us:
- - Mr. Catalano chris.catalano@wtsdnj.com
  - Mr. Blackmore John.Blackmore@wtsdnj.com

Does my student have homework?
- There will be sufficient time for students to complete all activities in class. If for any reason the classwork activities are not completed, they will be assigned for homework.

What if my student forgets their homework, or misses an assignment?
- Any late assignments will result in a 5 point grade deduction for each day the assignment is late (not including weekends and any days absent).

What do I do if my student is going to be absent?
- Your child will get two days for every day they were absent to complete makeup work (i.e. if they are absent Monday, they will get Tuesday and Wednesday to complete their makeup work, and their assignment will be due Thursday.)
- Absent work will have no grading penalty as long as it is handed in on time. If it is an absent assignment handed in late, the above grading penalty will occur.

How is my student's final grade calculated?
- Final grades for each marking period are calculated based on a minimum of 25 total grades. Minor assessments (small assignments, and participation) 33% of the final grade, and major assessments (large assignments, projects, etc.) 66% of the final grade. We will have a minimum of 20 minor assessments, and a minimum of 5 major assessments per marking period.
- Below, you will find our district grading policy.

Grading Policy

All student work will consist of major assessments (tests and projects) and minor assessments (homework and classwork). All student work will receive a numerical value.
The value assigned to numerical marks shall be as follows:
- 92-100 Performance significantly above curriculum standard
- 83-91 Performance above curriculum standard
- 74-82 Performance at curriculum standard
- 65-73 Performance below curriculum standard
- 64 or below Performance significantly below curriculum standard (failure)

All submitted student work will receive a minimum score of 50, unless determined by the teacher that little or no effort was made by the student, in which case a lower numerical mark may be given and recorded. If work is not submitted the value earned will be a 0.

Furthermore, when calculating marking period grades minor assessments will count as two-thirds (2/3)of the grade value and major assessments will count as one-third (1/3) of the marking period grade value.
Preparedness grades will be marked daily. If a student comes to class without their book, Chromebook, a pencil/pen, or folder and/or notebook, they will be charged 10 points for that day. Students can lose up to, but no more than, 50 points per week for being unprepared.
The numerical average of major and minor assignments will be graded according to the following scale:
- A+ = 98-100 A = 95-97 A- = 92-94
- B+ = 89-91 B = 86-88 B- = 83-85
- C+ = 80-82 C = 77-79 C- = 74-76
- D+ = 71-73 D = 68-70 D- = 65-67
- F = 64 and Below

(A mark of 65 or higher shall constitute a passing mark.)

In addition to the scale above, the following marks may also appear on the report card:
- P - Pass
- I - Incomplete
- E - Withdrawn, failing
- J - Withdrawn, passing
- L - Loss of Credit
- X - Probation

Plagiarism - any work that is plagiarized will follow the following:
- For the first plagiarism offense a meeting with guidance, the teacher and the student will take place. The parent/guardian will be notified and it will be expected that the assignment be redone; however, the highest value to be earned after plagiarism is a 74.
- Subsequent offenses of plagiarism will require a meeting with the parent/guardian and the assignment will receive a 0.
- Finally, any situation involving cheating will result in a mark of zero (0)