Course Materials:

§         Textbook: Miller, Kenneth, and Joseph Levine. Biology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.  Textbooks are used as a reference in the classroom.  They can be checked out if requested.

§         A three-ring binder (1.5”–2” thick) with dividers and lined paper

§         A pencil with an eraser

§         Recommended: red pen, highlighters, calculator, index cards for flash cards, colored pencils, posterboard for projects, and a thumb drive

Course Policies:

§         Attendance, absences, and make-up work – the SHS attendance policy will be enforced

§         Attendance – Regular attendance is required and is crucial to your success.

§         Tardy policy – Class begins when the bell rings. You will not be allowed in class after the bell without a pass from the office or another teacher.

§         Make-up work – If you miss class, you are responsible for the following:

§         Making sure your absence has been excused through the school office

§         Turning in any assignments due the day you missed on the day you return to school (this includes taking a test or quiz)

§         Checking the online course calendar to find out what you missed

§         Getting make-up work and clarification on instructions outside of class

§         Making up all missed assignments, including labs, within a week of your absence.

§         School activities – When missing class to participate in any type of school activity, you must make arrangements prior to the absence to turn in all assignments, including quizzes, labs, projects, and tests – after that, it is considered late

§         Truancies – No credit will be given for any assignments completed in class or due during an unexcused absence. This includes quizzes, labs, projects, and tests.

§         Electronic devices – The SHS electronics policy will be enforced. If a parent or relative needs to contact you during school hours please have them call the SHS office and you will be notified. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to use your cell phone in my classroom.

§         Dress code – The SHS dress code will be enforced. In particular, all headgear (hats, bandanas, etc.) must be removed and put away upon entering the classroom or they will be confiscated until the end of the period.

§         Food & beverages –Food and drinks are allowed, as long as the container has a cap that can be closed and no messes are left behind. Drinks are never allowed at the lab benches.

§         Hall pass- Do not abuse it and you will not lose the privilege. 

§         Homework policy – Assignments are to be completed to the best of your ability and turned in at the beginning of class on they day they are due.

§         Late work policy – Late homework and lab assignments will be worth 50% of the grade if turned in before the end of a unit. Projects may be turned in late and will be marked down one letter grade (10%) for each class period it is late.

§         Test retakes – You may retake any test within one week of the day the test is returned, however your two test scores will be averaged.

§         Academic honesty – Any form of cheating or plagiarism will earn a “zero” for all students involved and will result in a phone call home. A second offense may result in a meeting with an administrator and removal from the course with an F. Academic dishonesty includes:

§         Copying another student’s assignment

§         Writing exactly the same answer as your lab partner (use your own words instead!)

§         Talking or looking at another student’s paper during a test or quiz

§         Using notes, cell phones, or other materials on a test or quiz, unless specifically allowed

§         Plagiarism – using any other person’s work or ideas as your own work without citations

Have questions?  Need help?

Please come by to ask questions anytime.  Before school, during lunch and after school are the best times to ask questions and make up labs and tests, however my door is open every A day.