Thursday, December 8, 2011

Earth and Space Science Students/Parents

The science fair will be February 15, 2012.  I have sent home information today with a letter that needs to be signed and returned by Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. 

Please know that it took me three days to organize all of the information to help the students with their projects.  Due to it being so time consuming, if they lose their info, I will not make a new info packet.  I made this very clear to them when I handed the info out today.

Please see the "Science Fair" tab at the top of the blog (where the class names are) to see reminders and general information.

Thank you and good luck!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Slideshare Account Info

I will be posting student notes, study guides, answer keys, worksheets, bonus activities, etc. through an online service called Slideshare.  Students may be asked to log in to be able to download the files.  To make it easy on everyone, I made a student account that any student may use in order to download the files.

User Name: studentplas
Password: pikelib

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Homework

Parents,

I just wanted to inform you that your child does have weekly homework assignments that are written on the board in my room.  It is the student's responsibility to write down their assignments and complete them.  Completed assignments are to be kept in their notebooks unless directed otherwise (it will be clearly stated on the board).  I have gone over these procedures at length with my classes.  I will only post class announcements, projects, and major grades on my blog. 


Friday, August 12, 2011

Classroom Procedures and Lab Safety Contract



Dear student and parent/guardian(s),

Welcome to my class! Below I will summarize the class rules and policies that will lead to a successful year.

CONDUCT- Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct and behave accordingly.  Discipline issues will be dealt with according to the school’s discipline matrix. The class procedures are as follows.

GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS-
    Be responsible.
    Always try.
    Do your best.
    Cooperate with others.
    Treat everyone with respect (including yourself).

CLASS RULES-
    Come to class daily and on time.
    Be prepared with your attitude, pencil, paper, and homework.
    PROFANITY, CELL PHONES, MP3 PLAYERS, AND CAMERAS are not tolerated.
    Follow directions the first time they are given!
    Food and drinks are not permitted during class time unless otherwise stated.

CONSEQUENCES FOR CLASS RULE VIOLATIONS-
    Verbal Warning
    Seat Change (if applicable)
    Parent Contact (email or phone call)
    Detention
    Referral to administration

ATTENDANCE/ TARDY-
Refer to the Code of Conduct for the school’s attendance and tardy policies. The door will be closed when the bell rings.  If you are not in the classroom, it will be counted as an unexcused tardy, regardless of where you were, unless you enter with a pass.  These policies will be followed closely. 1st tardy- verbal warning 2nd tardy-written warning 3rd tardy- break detention/parent contact 4th tardy- after school detention/office referral.

MAKE-UP WORK-
In the case of an EXCUSED ABSENCE ONLY, all work assigned that day is due 3 days after the student returns (unless there is an extended absence). However, if an assignment was given prior to the absence, the student will be expected to turn it in upon the day of return. It is the student’s responsibility to get the make-up work upon their return to class.  If a student misses a quiz or test, these have to be made up within 3 school days upon return. For example, if a student is absent on Tuesday, that student has until Friday to make it up.  The student is responsible for arranging the make-up with me and will be given a different exam. Remember that an absence will result in a grade of 0 until the work has been completed.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY- Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.  If a student is caught, they will be given a zero on that assignment and parents will be contacted.  Please refer to the student handbook on school protocol for multiple offenses.

LAB PROTOCOL- Please see the Flinn Scientific’s Safety Contract. Students will be tested on lab safety and must make a minimum of 85%.  Once students have passed the exam, they will receive a “lab license”.  Just like any classroom, students will always be expected to act responsibly, follow directions, and follow rules.  Failure to do so will result in a 10 point lab grade deduction. Upon the third offense, the lab license will be revoked.  Without the license, the student will no longer be allowed to participate in the labs until they have retaken the lab safety exam.  License will be reissued once the student has made 100% on the exam.  Any lab grades missed due to license revocation will be zeroes. 
                                                                                                  
HALL PASSES- Students are expected to use the restroom and go to lockers during the time between classes.  However, students will be issued two “hall pass tickets” each nine week grading period.  They must give me the ticket in order to receive a hall pass to leave the classroom.  Once the two tickets have been used, students will not be allowed to leave for any reason until new tickets are given the next grading period.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with their tickets.  Emergencies will be considered.

NOTEBOOK- A notebook is required and will be part of the 9-week’s grade.  The students need a 3-ring binder with dividers for weekly assignments and loose-leaf paper.  I give notebook quizzes, and I may give them at any time during the nine weeks. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DO ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND HAVE THEIR NOTEBOOK IN CLASS EVERYDAY! Please note: Physical Science students will also need a scientific calculator and a protractor.  Graphing calculators will not be permitted.

ASSIGNMENTS- Class work/Homework is assigned every week. Also, all class work, homework, quizzes, and tests are to be done neatly in PENCIL ONLY! Anything else will not be graded and will result in a ZERO. It is not required, but it is suggested that students have zipper pencil bag for their binder. It should also be noted that I DO NOT accept late work, unless it is the result of an EXCUSED absence.

GRADING SCALE- Point System                                                                                         
Participation (taking notes, paying attention, asking questions) 10 points/week
Class Starters 5 points
Quizzes 10 points
Webquests 25 points
Labs 50 points
Tests 100 points

I also consider your grade to be broken down into three components: 1) teacher, 2) student, and 3) parent. If only one of us is doing our part, that is 33% compliance.  If two of us are doing our part, it is 67%, but if we all work together, we can ensure that this will be a successful year for everyone!

Note: Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I stay after school at least two days per week.  If your child needs to make up an exam or be tutored, I can meet with them after school. Please email me with all concerns at
jechols@pikelib.com

HAVE A WONDERFUL SCHOOL YEAR!
Jennifer Echols

 
Please visit the following link to view the Flinn Lab Safety Contract: