Classroom Rules and Expectations
1. Accept responsibility for your own education. This means: Try to act like an adult when you are in my class and I will treat you like an adult. The effort that you put into my class will determine your grade. I don’t “give” grades, students earn them. My class is a “meritocracy.” Any privileges given out in my class will be earned based on the effort put forth and the quality of work performed while in my class. I also have a “No Excuses” Policy. I’m not interested in why your homework is missing, why you didn’t come in for tutoring, or why you didn’t make up your test. Rather than think of excuses why something didn’t happen, work on making positive things happen.
2. Be punctual and prepared for each class. This means: Be in your seat with your notebook, supplies, and any completed assignments before the tardy bell rings. Be prepared to read, work, and participate in class discussions in a positive manner. Tardiness will not be tolerated! Two unexcused tardies earns an automatic detention!
3. Treat everyone in the classroom with respect. No profanity or harassment of any kind will be tolerated. Disrupting the learning environment or other students who are trying to learn will not be tolerated. Raise your hand to be recognized, and don’t talk when the teacher is talking. Use common sense and good manners at all times.
4. Ethical Behavior and Academic Dishonesty. Do your own work. Work that has been copied from others or plagiarized from any source (book, Internet, etc.) will not be accepted under any circumstances. Cheating on tests or any assignment will result in a zero on that test or assignment and parental contact. Students must list where they have found their information when doing any project where research is necessary.
5. Keep the classroom (and desks) clean. When entering the classroom, students should place their backpacks under their desk and out of the aisle. Check your desk to make sure it has no writing on it. Before leaving class check around your area. Pick up any debris on the floor and return desk to original place unless otherwise instructed. Put trash in the trashcan. It doesn’t matter if it is yours or not. Class will not be dismissed until the room is neat and orderly.
6. No food, drink, gum, or cell phones in the classroom. Food and any drink except water (unflavored) cannot leave the cafeteria area. Gum should not be brought on campus! Breaking of either of these rules will result in an automatic detention. Water in clear, plastic bottles is acceptable in the classroom unless it becomes a distraction. If I hear or see a cell phone, it will be taken, given to Ms. Lynch, and will not be returned to you until after school for the first offense. A second offense will require a parent/guardian to come and pick it up at the end of the school day.
7. No bathroom passes will be given in the first or last 15 minutes of class. Bathroom breaks should be timed between classes. Each student must be issued a signed pass by me, and sign in and out on the clipboard before leaving and after returning from the restroom. Only one student will be allowed out of the room at a time.
8. Students, while in class, will comply with all school and district policies as well as the rules in the student handbook.
Consequences For Poor Choices
1. Conference with teacher. Parent/guardian contact optional.
2. Logical consequence. Parent/guardian contact required.
3. Detention with parent/guardian contact (Verbal or signed detention slip).
4. Direct parent conversation required.
5. Administrative involvement.