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Classroom
Policies | Classroom Expectations | Technology Acceptable Use Policy | Student Information Sheet
Welcome to the wonderful world of Science
with Miss Gacek!!! I know you are
getting many papers this week, but
this packet is very important and should be kept in the front of your notebook.
MATERIALS FOR CLASS
Too often I
find students miss valuable points because of their lack of organization. Because of this, I require students bring to
class a 3 ring binder (for notes and papers), a spiral notebook/composition
book (for journal entries), and a NHS agenda book (you will purchase it from
your first period teacher). The binder
should have the following sections:
Warm Ups, Notes, Assignments, and Miscellaneous. You will have 2 scheduled Notebook checks
(60 pts each) each quarter. You will
have 6 UNANNOUNCED warm up quizzes each quarter. You will also have several UNANNOUNCED journal checks. All materials are to be brought to class
EVERYDAY. If you don’t have it, it is
only a problem for you. Ms. Gacek is
not responsible for your organization….YOU ARE!
OPENING PROCEDURES
When you come
to class each day (on time and with your ID), you should sit in your seat, do
your warm up quietly, and wait for Ms. Gacek to begin class. The warm up needs to be done promptly so we
can move on with class, so be sure to not waste time.
You are to
copy the QUESTION(S) for the warm ups and write their answers every day. I do not collect warm ups. I do give SIX warm up quizzes during a
quarter. Each quiz is worth 20 points. You may drop your lowest one. You should make sure you bring your warm ups
in your notebook to class daily because these quizzes are also UNANNOUNCED.
CLOSING PROCEDURES
The last ten
minutes of class are reserved for reflection.
Each day you will be given a question/writing prompt to which you are
expected to create a thoughtful response.
It will be checked periodically and should be done in your composition
book/spiral notebook. The purpose is to
put together your final thoughts, questions, etc. before you leave. You will make sure the area around your desk
is clean. When dismissed, push your
chair in, (or up if you are in 4th period) and have a nice day!
GRADING
Your grade
will be based on a point system. Every
assignment is worth a designated number of points. At the end of the quarter
your total points earned (+ any extra credit earned) divided by the sum of all
possible points times 100 will give you the percentage.
100% - 89.9% A 89.8%
- 79.9% B 79.8% - 69.9% C
69.8% -
59.9% D 58.8%
- 0 % E
I will post
grades periodically during the semester so you can keep track of your
grade. However, you will be responsible
for keeping track of your own grade with an assignment sheet provided to you.
This assignment sheet belongs in the front of your ASSIGNMENT section of
the notebook.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GRADE
If I post the
grades and yours does not match your number, I will be happy to discuss any
possible errors by either myself or you.
BUT!!! You must follow the
proper procedure.
1.
Have your complete assignment sheet filled out neatly with
the papers to verify the points earned.
2.
Nicely explain
to me that there is a problem before the bell or after class. DO NOT ASK ABOUT A GRADE DURING CLASS UNLESS
MS GACEK HAS SAID SHE IS DONE FOR THE DAY.
3.
When you are discussing your grade, maintain a professional
and polite attitude or the discussion will end abruptly.
Finally, please remember that I am human. There are over ninety of you and one of me;
I might make a couple mistakes now and again.
Sorry in advance if it happens to you.
ABSENCES
Try not to be
absent too often. This class is
dependent on your being here. It may
not seem like we covered much in one class, but each class builds on the
previous.
If you are
absent, you must make up your work within a week. (Okay…if you are gone for a week, I will give you a little
longer.) After a week, you can count
any assignments missed as a ZERO. Work
may only be made up for credit if the absence is excused. If the absence is
unexcused, you may still do the work, but you will still get a zero.
YOU are
responsible for obtaining your missing assignments. You have several choices on
how you can obtain your missing work.
(1) use the daily log on Ms. Gacek’s webpage, (2) ask a classmate, and
(3) ask Ms. Gacek for your work before
or after school. Notes must be
obtained from fellow classmates, so find a buddy whom you trust. You will be given a cooperative group to
work with during the semester, they will probably be helpful in this
department. I am usually available
before or after school if you need help figuring out what you missed. DO NOT ASK ME TO GIVE YOU YOUR MISSING WORK
DURING CLASS.
HOMEWORK
Homework is a
necessary evil when you are learning something new. The fact is you need to practice new methods and new types of
problems. Some of you will need more
practice than others. Some topics
require more homework practice than others.
I do not always collect homework.
You will know if I am collecting it when you walk into class that
day. Trust me though…don’t risk it…just
do it. J
LATE WORK
Hate it. Have enough to do without you giving me
extra papers of which I must keep track.
I will accept it ONE DAY LATE FOR HALF
CREDIT. After that, keep it for a
souvenir, because I don’t want it. Turn
in your work on time.
EXTRA CREDIT
There are
extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. Take advantage of these opportunities because they do not occur
often.
WARM UP BOOK
(10 pts) is one that happens all semester:
After you complete your warm up, you just copy it into the
book in the front of the room. This way
when people are absent, they can get their warm up book up to speed in case of
a warm up quiz. You may do this
assignment ONCE in a quarter.
TARDIES/ID’s
Don’t be
late. Wear your ID so I can see it…it
is as simple as that. You get five
points a day for showing up on time and having your ID on. That is 25 pts a week. That is 200+ pts for the quarter. That is two test grades.
If you are
late…PLEASE, come in quietly and just get on with work. If you’re late, you’re late. Don’t bother arguing. If you don’t have a pass, you are
tardy. It is YOUR responsibility to get
a pass BEFORE you come to class. You
lose 3 points off of your attendance credit each day you are late. Also, you
are only allowed 15 tardies for a quarter before you get an N grade, so try not
to be tardy too often.
I check ID’s
before AND during class. Have it out,
on, and visible as you enter the class or you cannot come in. I will do another sweep in the middle of
class, which means it needs to remain out and visible. If I don’t see it, you don’t have it and you
lose 3 points. Remind each other
nicely.
If you go
tardy free and come in wearing your ID regularly, you will be rewarded with
various presents.
BATHROOM POLICY
I hate it
when I am interrupted in the middle of class and asked if someone can go to the
bathroom. You must go before or after
class.
However,
sometimes EMERGENCIES happen--you get ONE chance. I will issue you a pass at the beginning of each quarter. That is it.
That is your “oops! I
forgot!” Ladies, this includes you. Don’t bother whining, you are just going to
annoy me.
Oh yeah…No
ID…No agenda book…No pass.
IF MISS GACEK IS ABSENT (SUBSTITUTES)
I am rarely
absent. If I am, there will be an envelope
at the front for one of you to be the teacher for the day (for extra credit of
course). I expect you to act like
wonderful young adults and not be rude to the sub. I expect all work assigned to be completed and turned in that
day. If I find out you were VERY
RUDE…you will pay….*evil laugh*
Seriously,
the work assigned is usually not too hard and can help raise your grade. Don’t let your learn fall short because I am
not here to babysit. I have made
assignments worth 50 points to help everyone’s grade when students were
especially good. And, period two: you have one lunch, that is enough. So, be a darling and don’t make me be evil
to you.
USEFUL SITES
Northwestern Web Page: http://www.pgcps.org/~nwest
Ms. Gacek’s Web Page: http://sciencewithgacek.freeservers.com
Blackboard.com: http://www.blackboard.com
1.
Respect
those around you.
It is very
simple: “do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.” If someone is
talking, you should be listening. If
someone asks a question, you need do your best to help answer it or be quiet as
someone else does. If you disagree with
someone’s opinion, you need to discuss it with them politely.
2.
We are ALL
responsible for the learning.
A teacher’s responsibility
to his/her students is to give a fair opportunity for each student to learn and
to help facilitate that learning. A
student’s responsibility is to make a committed attempt to obtain the knowledge
offered in the class by doing the work expected, participating in activities
meant to promote understanding, and coming to class ready to learn.
Think of our
class as a Science Family. We rise and
fall together. Our class will be as
enjoyable as you help make it. Our
class will be as successful as you help make it. If you see someone falling out of line, ask them nicely to
stop. If you are nicely asked to stop,
remember expectation #1, and do so.
3.
Safety
first.
…and yet it
is written last. ;)
Before doing ANYTHING, consider safety first. If you are not sure what you are doing is
safe, ask for help. When in lab, ZERO
credit will be given for those who do not follow safety procedures. Since physics does not deal will the
handling of many dangerous chemicals, common sense safety plays a primary
role.
Remember: if you
think it might be a bad idea, it probably is.
Cut here
My student, ___________________________________, and I have
read and understand the above expectations.
Student signature: __________________________________ Date: _______________
Parent signature:
__________________________________ Date: _______________
Please return signed portion to Ms. Gacek and retain the remainder and
keep in the front of your notebook.
Technology
Acceptable Use Policy
Expectations and Agreement
The computers and Internet at Northwestern High School are
for educational purposes. Any use of the PGCPS Wide Area Network and the
Internet should always reflect academic honesty, high ethical standards and
moral responsibility.
To use the computers in E305, you must sign this document
and you must have it signed by a parent or guardian. Your signature signifies
that you understand the acceptable and unacceptable uses of the computers and
Internet in E305 and Northwestern High School.
Do’s (Acceptable Uses)
Acceptable use of technology and all related resources
requires users to:
·
Protect private information such as addresses, phone
numbers, or passwords.
·
Use appropriate language. This applies to public messages,
private messages, and material posted on Web pages.
·
Respect all copyright laws.
·
Respect network limitations when sending or receiving
information.
·
Use the computers for their intended educational purposes
only.
·
Understand that use of the computer or the network for
illegal activities is strictly prohibited.
Don’t (Unacceptable Use)
Examples of Unacceptable Use of
technology and all related resources include, but are not limited to:
·
Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks.
Trespassing in another person’s files, folders, or work.
·
Using the network for commercial purposes.
·
Accessing inappropriate Internet Web sites.
·
Annoyance or harassment of others.
·
Intentionally wasting limited resources.
·
Purporting to represent in any way whatsoever, PGCPS.
·
Using the network for any illegal activity, including
violation of copyright or other licenses or contracts
·
Accessing "chat lines" which are not a part of a
class activity directly under the supervision of a teacher or educationally
inappropriate.
·
Degrading or disrupting equipment or system performance
·
Gaining intentional access to obscene or inappropriate files
·
Using abusive or otherwise objectionable language in either
public or private messages
·
Harassing, insulting or attacking others
·
Posting anonymous messages
·
Causing undue congestion of the network through lengthy
downloads of files, or by engaging in idle activities
·
Vandalizing the data of another user
·
Gaining unauthorized access to resources or files
·
Identifying one’s self with another person’s name
·
Using an account or password of another user without
authorization
·
Theft of data, equipment, or intellectual property
Process for Reporting Inappropriate Use
If a user believes that there has
been a violation of these guidelines, the user is to contact a teacher, school
administrator or supervisor immediately. A good rule of thumb would be -
"When in doubt, ask."
Consequences
If it has been determined that a
user has improperly used the equipment or its resources in any manner, the user
can expect disciplinary actions which may include but are not limited to:
·
Access to such equipment may be immediately suspended.
·
Disciplinary action by school administration.
·
Additional disciplinary action may take place as outlined in
the Student Code of Conduct.
Student and Parent Signatures
I,_____________________________________________, as a
student of Northwestern High School and a member of this class, understand and
will abide by this acceptable use policy. I further understand the consequences
if do not follow the policy.
Student’s signature: ____________________________________ Date:__________________
My student and I agree to the above policies. We also understand that Ms. Gacek will be
posting student work and pictures of classroom activities on her webpage to promote
student and class success:
Please initial if you DO
NOT want something posted.
(initial all that
apply) ____ I DO NOT want examples of my student’s work online
____ I DO
NOT want pictures of my student doing classroom activities online
____ I DO
NOT want my student’s first name and last initial posted with
picture/work online
Parent or Guardian’s signature: _______________________________ Date: ____________________
Please
return ENTIRE paper to Ms. Gacek. If
you would like a copy for your records, there will be extra copies available in
class.
Name: __________________________________________________
Email
Address:_________________________________
Home Phone
Number: _(_____)_________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s
Name and Daytime Phone Numbers:
________________________________________ _(_____)________________
________________________________________ _(_____)________________
Class
Schedule:
Period Class Teacher Room
1
2
(lunch?_____)
3
4
Now, just a few questions…J (Anything more you would like to share can
be written on the back.)
1. Of what ethnic
group do you consider yourself a part?
__________________________________
2. What is your
first language?
______________________________________________________
3. On a scale of 1
to 10 (10 being the highest), how much do you like science? _________________
4. Why are you
taking this course?
5. What do you plan
to do after high school?
Work? … then where? College? …to study what? Trade School? … for what
skill?