Policies and Procedures   Science Study Objectives   The student will demonstrate an understanding of Ø      the nature of science Ø      living systems and the environment Ø      the structures and properties of matter Ø      motion, forces, and energy Ø      Earth and space systems   These objectives correspond to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test and will incorporate all of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  For a complete listing of the TEKS please visit the Texas Education Agency website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/.   Class Materials   Other materials will be needed for student projects.  Students will be told about all materials required at least one week in advance.  It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for getting the supplies for his or her project.  For extenuating financial circumstances, please have your student speak with me.    Code of Conduct  All students are expected to maintain the highest standard of behavior in class.  Class policies are posted and must be followed.  Deviating from policy will result in disciplinary actions.  Please refer to the Student Handbook.  Absentee Policy It is extremely important that students be in class.  Science is an activity based class.  Students not present for demonstrations, labs and activities, and discussions are at a disadvantage.  Students will not be able to make up activities.    However, emergencies happen.  If a student is absent for a lab or activity, he/she will be given an alternative assignment.  A student will have as many days to complete his or her make-up work as he or she was absent.  For example: If a student is absent 2 days, when the student returns, he/she will have 2 days to complete all work.  Work will be considered late on the 3rd day.    However, assignments that are pre-dated such as tests, papers, and projects, must be submitted on the original due date.  Students are responsible for checking the teacher’s website, a friend’s agenda or their own to see what they missed, what assignments they must complete, and request/obtain any handouts they require.  Late Work Policy  Students are expected to turn in all work on time.  If a student does not have the work the day it is due, he/she will be assigned Science Tutorials for after school the next day unless it is handed in by then.  This will allow him/her specific set-aside time to complete the work.    All work not turned in on time will be penalized.  After one day, a 10% penalty is assigned.  The second day late a 30% penalty is assigned and the student will be mandated to stay after school for the Science Tutorials.  At the end of the fourth school day any assignment is late, a zero will be recorded and redos will not be allowed.    This policy is in place for the students benefit.  Work is assigned to further understanding of the material and each assignment serves a purpose.  I don’t believe in “busy” work and we provide class time to complete the work.   If the work is not done in a timely manner, it loses its effectiveness.  Many assignments will be reviewed/graded in class in order to provide immediate feedback and allow students to correct their own papers.    If a student believes he/she turned in the assignment but it is not checked, they may check the “No Name Basket”.   If they do not find it, they should come speak with their teacher.  Papers in the “No Name Basket” are subject to late/non-compliance penalties. The box is emptied on the fourth day the assignment is late.    Grades  There are four types of grades - daily grades, quizzes, test grades, and project grades. Daily grades and quizzes are weighted as 1.  Test grades are weighted as 2, meaning each test counts as 2 daily grades.  Project grades will be weighted minimum of 2.  Projects may count more than a test.  Students are expected to keep a grade sheet.  They will calculate their average on Mondays (or the 1st day of the school week), they will graph their average, and a parent/guardian must sign the grade sheet that night.  Students are expected to keep all assignments in their binder to verify grades.  If a student questions a grade, he/she must be able to produce the paper in question. Parents/Guardians may register for Family Access which will allow you to check your student’s average.  See the main office for additional information on Family Access.   Website  Websites are maintained to help parents and students.    Our website includes: Ø      an agenda for the week which lists topics covered in class and assignments that will be assigned that week.  Ø      If you have any question about the website or find any errors, please contact the teacher and allow time to correct any problems.   Labs and Safety   Attached there is a copy of the laboratory safety contract.  Students and parents/guardians must sign the signature sheet showing understanding of the contract..  Students will not be allowed to participate in lab activities until the signature sheet is returned. Students caught playing around during lab will be assigned a seventy (70) for the laboratory experiment and will not be able to continue participating in the lab.  In addition, they will be written up on the Class Disruption Document.  The lab can be a hazardous place and it is vital that are students act responsibly.  Students may lose lab privileges.    Student Responsibilities   Students are responsible for all aspects of their education.  They must bring their materials to class, take notes, complete all assignments, and study for exams.  It is also the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she comes to tutorials if needed, asks for help, and gets make-up work completed.   We want every student to succeed this year and will do whatever we can to help each student. However, the student must make the decision to study and do the work.        ce.                                              _________