Dear Student/Parent or Guardian:

 

As we begin the school year I would like to share with you some of the guidelines for success in Marine Science.  Marine Science is a challenging academic course. Successful students are prepared for class, have organized notebooks, pay attention in class, and complete assignments on time.  Please review the following requirements.

 

Preparation

 

The student must come to class every day prepared to learn. Students will be expected to have completed any and all given written assignments, reading, or studying. Students are also expected to come to class each day with the following materials:

 

1.  3 Ring Binder (3 Sections)(Binders will be graded at the end of each MP)

 

1st SectionNotes/Handouts

 

2nd SectionColoring Guides(Due Day of Test)

 

3rd SectionCurrent Events(Due Every Friday)

 

2.  Lab Notebook

 

Class Rules

 

1. Be in your seat and ready to begin when the bell rings.  Tardiness will not be tolerated.

 

2. All school rules will be enforced (including the dress code).

 

3. No food or beverages are permitted in class.   

 

3. Please be respectful to all members of our class.

 

4. Follow all lab safety rules.

 

5. Cell phone policy - to be discussed.

 

Attendance

 

Assignments must be made up in a time period equal to the number of days absent.  It is the student’s responsibility to find out what they have missed and make arrangements to make up the work. Students who are only absent the day of a test are expected to make up that test in class the next day. If you are present when work is assigned, but absent when it is due, you are expected to have it the day you return.

 

Laboratory Activities

 

Students will participate in laboratory activities during this course.  Students who fail to follow appropriate lab safety rules will not be allowed to participate in the lab activity.

 

Quizzes and Tests

 

Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.  Tests will assess mastery of material covered in class as well as readings, labs, and assignments.  Students are expected to be able to apply what they have learned to new situations, rather than simply recall facts. At minimum students are expected to know all vocabulary terms and be able to answer essential questions from the unit.  Students who talk, take out a cell phone, or look at another student’s paper during a test or quiz will be disqualified and receive a zero.

 

Grading Policy

 

Laboratories/Tests/Projects - 90%Quizzes - 10%

 

Extra Help

 

If you are in need of any extra help, please see me so we can schedule a time to meet.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the school year. Thank you for your cooperation.  This paper should remain in the student’s notebook. Please sign and return the receipt below.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Mrs. Kristine Thurber

 

[email protected]

 

 

 

Additional Information:

 

 

Classroom Conduct:

As a classroom community, all members are expected to be respectful of each other. This includes respecting classroom materials, other students’ possessions and using appropriate language at all times. Derogatory or offense language will not be tolerated.

 

Homework Policy:

Homework is expected to be turned in on the day it is due, during that class period.

 

Tardy Policy:

Please do your best not to be tardy to class. Students who are tardy to class three times will receive a detention.

 

Absent Policy:

General:

If you have an EXCUSED absence, it is your responsibility to acquire and make up missed homework, classwork and/or quizzes and tests. Be sure to check the “Absent” folder for any missed work to make up. You may come see me before or after school with any questions regarding missed work and/or to set up a time to complete any missed quizzes/tests.

**For all makeup work, please write “Absent” on the top of homework assignments and leave them in the homework box for your class. Note: if you do not write “Absent” on makeup work then it may be marked late.

 

Labs:

If labs are missed due to an EXCUSED absence, rather than make the lab up, students will be required to read an article with biological relevance and write a 1-2 page paper reviewing the topic. See me for details in this situation.

 

Cell Phones/Technology Policy.

Cell phones, iPads, and headphones are a distraction to learning, and should be turned off/silenced and kept in pockets or bags during class time. If cell phones are seen during class then they may be taken for the remaining class period, or day (depending on how often this occurs).

If cell phones are out during quizzes, tests or any type of assessment, it will be assumed that the student is cheating and will receive a failing grade for that assessment. So please keep them away!!

 

Plagiarism Policy:

It is expected that all students will complete their own work, in their own words. It is commonly believed that plagiarism is only copying and pasting information from the internet, but it includes all of the following:

·         Copying another student’s work (homework, lab reports, papers)

o   Lab partners may have similar work, but it should not be identical

·         Taking information from the internet or another source without citing it

·         Taking credit for anyone else’s work

 

In the case of plagiarism, a 0 will be given for any and all assignments with no exceptions.

 

Food/Drink:

No food is permitted in the laboratory unless otherwise specified. Beverages are permitted if they are covered and not consumed during labs.