FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents:
1. What is the best way to contact you?
Email is the best way to contact me on a regular basis. You may email me at: [email protected].
2. Attendance: This is an extremely important part of our program. This program is here to prepare students for school and to ultimately raise test scores. We cannot fulfill our job and the regulations of the program if your child is not here.
If your child will be absent please call the office or send me an e-mail. This is not a school policy, but it will help me out.
3. Behavior Plan: Our behavior plan consists of positive reinforcement involving the IB Principals and discipline. Students will be rewarded for exceptional behavior with classroom TOR TICKETS. Students who are struggling with meeting expectations will be allowed to go to the Refocus area, receive student conference, loss of privilege, parent call, and parent conference respectively if the initial redirection does not assist the student. For lower grades their behavior will be indicated to you via the parent portal.
A first and second verbal warning will be given, and a third warning will be documented with a parent contact call.
4. PYP/MYP/IB: This program of inquiry involves all Learners: Student, Parent and Teacher and will ultimately assist your child in becoming college and career ready. It aligns with Common Core State Standards and IB. Please refer to the HHMS website for additional information.
5. Parental Involvement: Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom virtually or in person. This is a great opportunity for you to get involved with your child’s education. There will be many opportunities for you to visit our class and volunteer; such as, career day, service projects, and classroom beautification week. Please refer to the website for a calendar of events and opportunities.
6. Parent / Teacher Conference: You will be required to provide two scheduled conferences (virtually or in person) (Via email or phone) to discuss your child’s progress. One meeting will be in the fall semester and the other in the spring semester. You may also call for a conference at any time during the year.
7. Visitors on campus: School security is very important. We want to have a secure environment. Part of our school safety plan is to limit the visitors on our campus.
8. Assignments: Please check your child’s online classroom portal. Some online forms will need to be signed and returned via the online portal in either Oncourse or Google Classroom. The online platforms of Oncourse and Google Classroom shall be our main source of everyday communication.
9. What if I am absent and miss an assignment?
Students have seven days upon returning to school to turn in an excuse. If absence is excused, you may turn in any assignments collected the day of absence upon return and/or makeup work assigned within three days of the absence. If the absence is unexcused, assignments will receive a full grade reduction for assignments collected the day of absence and any makeup work assigned the day of absence. Students are responsible for going to the Missed Assignment Section and completing missed assignments.It is NOT the teacher’s responsibility to remind the student to make up work.
Please talk to me if there are extenuating circumstances that are not covered by the attendance policy, for, I tend to be more understanding and empathetic to situations if I know what is going on.
10. What if I miss a quiz/test?
Same rules apply for excused/unexcused absences with quizzes and tests.
Students absent should schedule to take the test. The teacher reserves the right to alter the quiz or test from the one given the day of absence to ensure reliable testing.
11. How many days can I be absent?
New state attendance policies are in effect. Students can only miss 6 days per semester. Extended circumstances must be documented and approved by the principal.
12. What if I forget to turn something in?
Students will have plenty of time to work on assignments, so there is no excuse for assignments to be turned in late. Any work turned in after the due date (unless given prior approval) will receive a full grade reduction in points earned on the assignment, with the exception of long-term projects which will not be accepted late.
13. How much time should I be spending on homework each night?
Generally the rule of thumb is that for every three hours of class you should spend approximately one hour of time at home on homework (not including studying).
14. What if I do not have the tools needed to complete an assignment?
If you do not have the tools needed to complete the assignment it is your responsibility to discuss an alternate plan with me ahead of time. Excuses will not be accepted the day the assignment is due.
15. What if I need extra help?
Do not be afraid to ask for help! We can work something out.
16. What if I am failing?
If you are failing, I suggest that you and your parent immediately have a discussion with me to make a plan to succeed (not a week before grades are due!) Also, students may participate in point recovery, please see me to make arrangements.
17. What if I do not understand an assignment?
If you do not understand an assignment please raise your hand and ask me or your parent can email and discuss it with me. I forgot is not an excuse.
18. What happens if I do not want to participate?
Participation counts for a significant part of your grade and must be done daily. If you do not participate, your grade will reflect your lack of engagement.