page contents

Please click the link for the class syllabus 

 

 

Sayreville Middle School 2026–2027 8th Grade Science Syllabus: Mrs. Howard

 

 

Student success is most strongly supported when families regularly monitor attendance, behavior, assignment completion, and grades. Please review OnCourse at least once each week and contact me promptly with any concerns. Questions regarding grades, missing work, or assignment policies should be addressed as soon as possible. Waiting until the end of a marking period significantly limits the available options for improving a grade. 

 

 

Email:[email protected](Please Include your child's name and section in all email subjects for fastest response time)

 

Mrs. Howard's Webpage https://app.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage/14366353

 

OnCourse (for assignments, updates, and digital copies of worksheets)

 

 

👋 Welcome

 

Welcome to 8th Grade Science! I am incredibly excited to work with you this year. Being present, prepared, and focused every day sets students up for ultimate academic success.Please review these policies carefully together with your child. 

 

 

A Message on Success: Attendance is essential to success.  Students who miss class for absences, or who attempt to leave the class regularly (and even leave their seat for non-emergencies) are consistently less successful than those who choose to stay in class. Frequent absences and missing work are the primary ways to fail this course. To date, I have never had a single student fail my class who completed all of their assigned work. Being present and completing your tasks is your direct path to success. Students are responsible for checking OnCourse regularly and monitoring their own grades and missing assignments. 

 

 

🎒  Daily Supplies

 

Students must bring the following items to class every single day:

 

  • Notebook with a folder or a binder with paper and a folder (used exclusively for science)

  • Pencils

  • Fully charged Chromebook: Students are responsible for arriving with a charged device and may not receive additional time for assignments due during class because of an uncharged Chromebook. 

  • Additional project supplies may be requested throughout the year.

  • Materials Responsibility: Students will receive one copy of each worksheet, handout, and classroom document. It is the student's responsibility to keep these materials organized and in good condition. Replacement copies will not be provided by the teacher. If a worksheet is lost, misplaced, damaged, or discarded, the student is responsible for printing a new copy from OnCourse at home or in the school library. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a dedicated science folder or binder to prevent lost materials. Missing assignments will not be excused because a worksheet was lost. 

 

📊 Grading Policy

 

  • 80%: Assessments, Quizzes, Projects, and Classwork

  • 15%: Quarterly Exam

  • 5%: Homework

 

📝 Homework & Late Work Rules

 

  • Homework Definition: Homework is typically any classwork that was not completed during our 40-minute period but it may also be assigned.

  • Deadlines: Homework is due at the absolute start of the next class. It will be posted daily on the physical Homework Board and on OnCourse. 

  • No-Credit Policy: Classwork/Homework is not accepted for credit once it has been reviewed in class or once the answer keys have been posted. 

  • Late Work Penalties: Non-homework assignments submitted late lose 10% within the first 24 hours, and 10% for each additional day late.

  • 5-Day Cutoff: No work will be accepted for credit after it is 5 days late. 

  • Late work form:  All late work (including work from absences) requires a physical paper form to be graded, and grades will be updated in batches rather than immediately.

 

  • Digital Submissions: Late work submitted electronically is tracked by the OnCourse timestamp. You must fill out and submit a physical Late Work Form in the classroom for the assignment to be graded.  Parents must sign off on the form. 

  • Paper Submissions: Late paper assignments are penalized by the day. You must submit the physical Late/Missing Work Form completely filled out and signed by a parent or guardian.

 

🚪 Absences & Missed Work

 

  • Check Online: Students must immediately check the LMS for missed work upon returning to school. Any paper copies of assignments will have the student's name on them and will be located in the hanging file folders under the appropriate class period. If you are well enough to complete schoolwork while absent, it is strongly recommended that you stay current with assignments by accessing materials through OnCourse. 

  • Gradebook: Zeros are entered as soon as an assignment is missed as a placeholder so the student, parents, and teacher are aware that the work needs to be made up. 

  • Deadlines: Students have the exact number of days absent (up to 5 days max) to complete and turn in missed work.

  • Mark Your Dates: Write the exact date(s) of your absence on the top of any graded paper assignment when submitting it.

  • Quizzes & Tests:Missed assessments will enter the gradebook as a zero as soon as they are graded. The zero becomes permanent if the assessment is not made up within the designated timeline.

  • Parent Help: For extended absences, parents should contact the student's guidance counselor to request compiled assignments and instructional materials. 

  • Testing and Absence Policy: If you are present when a test is announced, you must take it as scheduled, regardless of absence on review days. For school-sponsored trips, you are responsible for completing all work posted to OnCourse Classroom on time. No extensions will be granted for missed work due to school trips or planned absences. 

 

🚨 Classroom Rules & Expectations

 

Students must abide by all school district regulations and classroom boundaries from day one to ensure safety and prevent lost instructional time.

 

🏛️ District Rule Compliance

 

  • ID Badges: Must be worn and clearly visible at all times. It should not be removed in the classroom or placed on your desk. 

  • Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Students must follow all district and Sayreville Middle School policies regarding cell phones and electronic devices. Cell phones are expected to remain secured in student lockers during the school day. Possession or use of a cell phone in violation of school policy may result in disciplinary referral and confiscation of the device in accordance with district procedures. 

  • Dress Code: Full compliance with district uniform and clothing rules is required.

  • No Food or Drink: Absolutely no eating or drinking is permitted in the science classroom at any time with the exception of a bottle of water.  Water must be filled before class. Please do not ask for water during the class period, you may bring a plastic refillable water bottle. 

 

🪑 Daily Routine

 

  • Class Entry: Line up outside the room until directed to enter. Never enter a classroom without a teacher present. Enter quietly, go directly to your seat, and begin the "Do Now."  On time means in your seat before the bell rings. 

  • Out-of-Seat Restriction: Students should remain seated unless instruction requires movement or permission has been granted.  This limit includes getting tissues, sharpening pencils, or throwing away garbage. You must raise your hand and get permission first.

  • Returning to Your Seat: When you are returning to your seat from any classroom task, you must take the most direct route to your chair. Do not speak with or touch anyone else on your way.

  • Tardiness Penalty: Students who arrive late should be prepared to remain in class for the remainder of the period.

  • Restroom Limits: Restroom usage is highly restricted because classes are only 40 minutes long. Missing 10 minutes means missing 25% of your education. Bathroom breaks are restricted to a maximum of 2 times per week. I may ask students to complete their work before leaving the classroom. 

  • Blackout Window: Students should hold non-emergency questions during the first 5 minutes while directions, do now and attendance are being completed. Please do not ask to leave the classroom as soon as you arrive or before you have done your classwork. 

 

🚫 Personal Items & Fidget Policy

 

  • Standard Policy: To maintain a focused learning environment, personal items (NeeDohs, squishies, balls, fidget toys, spinners, pop toys, etc.) are not permitted in class. 

  • Accommodations: Exceptions are made strictly for students with legally documented IEP or 504 plan accommodations that explicitly permit them.

  • Usage Rules: Approved instructional tools and accommodations must be used quietly and discreetly. They may not create a visual or auditory distraction for other students in the room.

 

🗣️ Classroom Courtesy & Communication

 

  • Respect: Show respect to the teacher and peers. No talking while the teacher or a classmate is speaking or presenting.

  • Hand Raising: Raise your hand to speak—do not call out or shout random answers.

  • Interruptions: If you choose to leave the room during a lesson, it is your responsibility to catch up independently. Do not interrupt instruction to ask what you missed.

  • Equipment Care: Do not touch classroom materials, lab tools, or equipment until explicitly instructed. Intentional or negligent damage to classroom materials may result in restitution consistent with district policy.

  • Disruptive students: May be removed from the classroom if they are interfering with other students' education. 

  • Personal Space & Physical Contact: Students must keep their hands, feet, and all other objects to themselves at all times. Unwanted physical contact of any kind - including touching, poking, pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting, grabbing, horseplay, play fighting, hugging, or touching another person's hair, clothing, belongings, or body - is prohibited. Throwing any object across the classroom, whether intended as a joke or not, is also prohibited. These behaviors create safety concerns, disrupt learning, and may result in immediate disciplinary consequences. 

  • Visitors & Phone: Students are expected to stop talking immediately whenever the teacher is on the phone or when a visitor enters the room. 

  • Dismissal: Remain in your seat at the end of the period. The bell does not dismiss you; wait for the teacher's verbal dismissal.

  • Drills: Follow all fire drill, lockdown, and emergency procedures quietly, swiftly, and immediately.

 

⚠️ Behavioral Consequences

 

  • First Offense: Verbal warning.

  • Continued or Serious Disruptions: Administrative referral, parent contact, or detention.

 

🔗 Parent Resources & Portals:

 

  • Progress Tracking: Please monitor your child’s academic progress and attendance weekly on OnCourse Connect.  Please contact the guidance office if you require assistance accessing your child’s materials. Please ensure that the correct email address is on file with the school.   Also, please check your email daily for important updates from school. 

  • District Website: Reference sayrevillek12.net for district calendars and student codes of conduct.

  • Lost & Found: Items left behind in the classroom will be held in the designated classroom Lost and Found bin.