Class Policies
Welcome to the study of Modern U.S. History and World Religions! From now until June, we will journey through times, locations, and ideas to better understand the world in which we live. We will critically examine our country’s history and our collective memory of the past.
You enter an academic environment when you come through the front door. Certain policies must be followed by you and your classmates to ensure that environment is free of distraction and full of opportunity to learn.
Class preparation is the key to success
Your academic success depends in part on the following:
Be ready to learn and in your seat when the bell rings.
Have all materials for that
day
(always bring
something to write with, preferably pen or mechanical pencil, interactive
student notebook (US)/journal (WR), and your Hammond Planner).
Have your homework completed.
Cutting class shows disrespect to me, classmates, your family, and your education, and will be punished at the third or fourth offense level (see below).
Missing class for more than 20 minutes is considered an absence, and will count toward your 5% attendance policy (see below).
Academic behavior is always appropriate
Things you must do:
RESPECT your classmates, your teachers, and yourself.
follow directions the first time
raise your hand to make a comment or ask a question.
be actively involved in the class.
Things you must NOT do:
bring to class a hat, backpack, or distracting electronic devices.
eat, chew gum, or drink in class.
use profane, sexist, or ethnic language.
make negative comments based on sexual orientation or religion.
MSDE School Safety Update, June 2003
All students in Maryland’s public schools, without exception and regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, socioeconomic status, age, or disability, have the right to educational environments that are:
Safe
Appropriate for academic achievement, and
Free from any form of harassment.
Accept responsibility for your actions
Consequences for breaking a class or school rule:
First Offense: Verbal warning
Second Offense: After-school detention in Mr. Jenkins’ room.
Third Offense: After-school detention, plus parent contact (phone or email)
Fourth Offense: Referral to office.
Take homework seriously
Homework helps you learn, develop good study habits, and prepare for tests.
You will be assigned homework most class periods.
Types of homework include questions or handouts about the current topic, current events, or in depth essays and projects.
Expect approximately 1-3 hours of social studies homework and studying per week.
Homework should be completed by the beginning of the next class period unless otherwise stated by me.
Written homework should be completed in your notebook in legible ink. Avoid using ink which is hard to read, such as glitter pens.
Experience learning every day
Howard County Public Schools 95% Attendance Policy:
You may be denied credit for any class in which you miss more than 5% of the scheduled classes unexcused.
5% = 9 days in every day classes
The denial of credit is determined by the teacher and the administration.
When you are legally absent from school (present a valid "blue slip") the following make-up policy will be followed:
Any assignment due the day you were absent is due the day you return to class.
Any assignment given the day you were absent will be due the following school day after your return to class, plus one day for each day you missed [e.g., if you missed school Monday and Tuesday, the homework assignment given on Monday will be due on Friday (return on Wednesday plus two absent days)].
All tests will be announced at least two class periods in advance. If you miss the class before the test, expect to take the test. Exceptions will be given if a substantial amount of new information was given on the day you were absent.
If you do not present a blue slip or an early dismissal note on the day of your return, you will receive a zero grade for each assignment missed.
You must be in class to learn:
Hall passes are given only on an emergency basis.
Only your Hammond Planner will be used for Hall Passes.
Abusing or frequent requests for hall passes will result in a medical alert to your parents.
Be proud of your own work! Don’t plagiarize.
Know the difference between helping and cheating:
Discussing possible answers to difficult homework questions with other students is a good way to learn historical material.
Copying another’s work is unacceptable.
Copying from printed material, computers, television, or another student on any assignment will result in a zero and a phone call or email to the parents of both the borrower and the lender.
The rewards of learning
Grades are like investments—the more you put into your work, the greater your rewards.
Grades reflect the amount of knowledge you have gained in history and your dedicated usage of various tools of history.
U.S. History: Homework (15%), Classwork (25%), Tests and Quizzes (25%), Essays and Projects (25%), and Participation and Attendance (10%) will form your grade.
World Religions: Essays (50%); Class Participation (30%); Attendance (10%); Classwork (10%)
You are expected to keep an up-to-date grade sheet of all assignments.
Keep all graded assignments until after you have received your report card.
If your grades differ from mine, please see me with your graded assignments so we can fix the error.
Grades are reported via email using mygradebook.com. Please keep your email address current with me.
The letter grade (g) you receive in my class will correspond to the following scale:
A 90 < g < 100
B 80 < g < 90
C 70 < g < 80
D 60 < g < 70
E g < 60
Notice this scale has no rounding of grades! Rounding is a privilege given to those students who miss no more than one assignment.
Use of Internet
This class will use the internet extensively throughout the year. In order to be involved in this class activity, you must have the Use of Internet Permission Form signed. This form will be given to students in their English classes the first week of school.
A few final thoughts
Keep academics as your number one priority.
Become involved in at least one extracurricular activity.
Attend school events.
Challenge yourself and reach for your potential.
Expect more from yourself than others expect of you.
Ask for help when you need it.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or you are concerned about your grades, please feel free to talk to me or your guidance counselor.
To increase communication with both you and your parents, I have an email account for you to use: bjenkins@hcpss.org. This is the best way for you to contact me.
Good luck and welcome to Hammond!
Bob Jenkins, 2005
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