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Mrs. Hurley’s Classroom Policies

“Stop signs are for dummies.”

In order for us to have a successful year, classroom members need to strive to adhere to the following standards and policies:

Golden Rules:  Remain in your assigned seat until the dismissal bell rings.

No instant messaging/No Computer Games

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Other important golden rules are:

BE HERE and PROMPT: When the bell rings everyone should be inside the classroom moving toward his or her seat.  By the way, you’re really late if you come in after I shut the door.

• Attendance and participation is mandatory. 
• Arrive to class on time.  Tardiness is unacceptable; it is both rude to your classmates and myself and it is disruptive to the learning process going on in the classroom. Note that I will not remind you of this, but I will keep track of those who repeatedly transgress, and these students will be reported to the office.
   

BE PREPARED: Come to class well-rested and ready to learn with your classroom materials and supplies.  Every day, AGENDA, bring binder with loose-leaf paper, writing instrument, book, workbook, if you have one, and again if necessary, calculator.  Lastly and probably most important, don’t forget yesterday’s homework.

• Leave items not needed for class in your locker.
  • BOOK BAGS/BACKPACKS, cell phones, beepers and other disruptive devices are against school policy and should be left outside of the classroom.
• School policy prohibits food and drink in the classroom.
   

BE POLITE: Respect everyone’s personal rights, property, and opinion.  Good manners are always expected.  In case student fails to adhere to rules of good behavior, he/she will be asked to serve detention.  If things escalate from there, parental and/or administrative intervention will be used. 

If you have a question or would like to contribute to the discussion, please raise your hand.

BE ATTENTIVE: Practice active listening skills when the teacher, other students, or guests are addressing the class.

BE COOPERATIVE: Cooperate with your teachers and classmates.

BE RESPONSIBLE: Ask for help when you need it, keep track of your books and assignments, turn your work in on time, do your part in cooperative learning projects, challenge yourself to grow, and accept responsibility for your grades and actions.

Homework Policy

Homework is a tool in the teaching and learning process when it has purpose and meaning as an extension of the learning in the classroom. Studying at home enhances student achievement, helping to develop self-discipline and good work/study habits. Students in my classroom should expect homework, not every night.  Homework in my classroom may be assigned outside of the normal school day for a number of reasons:

Absence: to make up work missed during an excused absence
Completion: to finish work not completed at school for which time has been given to do so in class
Extension: to provide students with opportunities to transfer specific skills or concepts to new situations
Practice: to help students master specific skills which have been presented in class
Preparation: to help students prepare for the next step in a unit or study for a quiz or test

Due dates of homework will be announced.  The work is expected on the assigned date—at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated. 

When absent, you are responsible for obtaining make-up work on the day you return to school.  Please note that for each day of excused absence one day is given to complete or make up work.  If you are out for an extended period, a schedule for make up work can be discussed upon return.

In-Class Work

This work is to be done while in class and is expected on my desk at the end of class.  Students who skip class will not be permitted to make up in-class work.

Late Work Policy

Late work is unacceptable. Work turned in any time after the class for which it is assigned will automatically be marked down 15% from the grade received. Assignments turned in more than 48 hours late can be marked down further at the discretion of me or not accepted at all.  (See One-Extension Policy Below.)

• One-Extension Policy -- In light of the perverse laws of the universe, which occasionally brings a tragedy between you and your goals, I have established a one-extension rule, which grants you a short extension (as circumstances require) for one time only. In other words, you will get one second chance. It is up to you to decide if and when you will use that "Free Spin" because there will be no others. You must inform me of your decision, but you do not have to describe your reason. That is your business. But remember, you will not get another break. This pass may not be used for class projects.

While I encourage and expect every student to complete each assignment and project to the best of their ability, partial credit will be awarded, at my discretion, for incomplete work submitted on time, but not for work turned in late without an extension. Please note that for each day of excused absence one day is given to complete or make up work.  (Out for a week, work will be expected in one week)

Pre-Arranged Absences

If it's necessary for students to miss class for a pre-arranged absence, they will be expected to make up all classroom work done in their absence. The majority of make up work for absences will be discussed upon the student's return. 

Test/Quiz Policy

All tests will be announced.

If a student has an excused absent the day of a test, the student is expected to take it the first day he arrives back to school and needs to make such arrangements with me.  If the missed test is not made-up within adequate time (2 days), the student will forfeit their grade—a zero.

As an incentive to take notes, lecture notes may be used on some tests, midterm and final exam.  Notes must be organized by chapter in a notebook.

Quizzes will not necessarily be announced.  Missed quizzes cannot be made up.  If a quiz is missed, the next quiz counts double.

Grading

Grading: Know that grading is not a reflection of who you are or how much I like you. Grading is an evaluation of your work toward achieving the objectives of this class. Do not confuse the informality of the classroom with my responsibility to grade your work.
          Uniformed Grading Scale for High School

Plagiarism

Refrain from copying answers and others’ work.

• Plagiarism comes in many forms, some of which you may not know.  Any form of plagiarism,  even accidental, will not be tolerated.

"Plagiarism is defined as "literary theft" and consists of the unattributed quotation of the exact words of a published text, or the unattributed borrowing of original ideas by paraphrase from a published text. On written papers for which the student employs information gathered from books, articles, web sites, or oral sources, each direct quotation, as well as ideas and facts that are not generally known to the public at large, or the form, structure, or style of a secondary source must be attributed to its author by means of the appropriate citation procedure. Only widely known facts and first-hand thoughts and observations original to the student do not require citations. Citations may be made in footnotes or within the body of the text. Plagiarism also consists of passing off as one's own segments or the total of another person's work. . . . The student who submitted the subject paper, lab report, etc., shall receive an "F" with a numerical value of zero on the item submitted, and the "F" shall be used to determine the final course grade. It is the option of the instructor to fail the student in the course"

Computer Policies

You may get a chance to use computers

• Please treat the computer equipment in the classroom as if it was your own--your equipment, your responsibility.

• Any intentional damage or misuse of computer equipment will not be tolerated and may result in removal from class and loss of credit!!
• Use only YOUR logon
• When prompted to change your password, please do so.
• All web design computer work must be done in class -- NOT at home
• The Internet can be used for classroom projects, research, and email. 
• Absolutely no chat rooms!!!
• Students may not download or install software of any kind—AOL, Instant Messaging, Napster, games, etc. 
  • If caught in a chat room or downloading, one hour of detention will be assigned.  On third offense, a meeting with Mr. Maci will occur and possible expulsion from the classroom.
• You may not change any settings on the computer without specific permission from the teacher—that includes screen size, background pictures, etc.

Saving Data

All data must be saved to your G: drive.  Do not save to the C: drive.  The computers will be reprogrammed several times during the semester without notice and all work on the C: drive is erased during reprogramming.

Final Exams

You must do 100% of all projects before you will be allowed to take your final exam.  Your final is worth 20% of your semester grade.

Tardies

You are considered tardy if you are not in the door when the bell rings.

Dismissal from class

Please do not line up at the door.  Thank you.  If I need to tell you this more than once, you are likely to spend an hour in detention.

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