There are many topics that need to be covered here and I will try to deal with them in an organized fashion.
Grading:
My procedure for grading is very simple. The grades for this class fall into three categories:
- Homework…………………20%
- Quizzes……………………..30%
- Tests and Projects………50%
All grades will be recorded on an online grade book at http://mygradebook.com. On the first day of class I will give each student a classword and their personal password so that they and their parents can check their grades online.
Expectations:
The Lord Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” In and out of the classroom, we should exhibit behavior that is consistent with this command.
The Bible consistently explains that the proof of our love for God is our obedience to God; John 14:15, John 14:21, 1 John 2:3, 1 John 5:2, 2 John 6. We may not always understand or agree with the rules and regulations of a person God has place in authority over us, but our obedience to those rules is an opportunity to prove that we really do love God. Love for God is measure in obedience to God.
Guidelines
1. Honor the Lord in all you say and do. (I Corinthians 10:31; I Samuel 2:30; Psalms 119:11; James 2:12; Colossians 3:17)
2. Obey all teachers, staff, and parents all the way, right away. “Delayed obedience is
disobedience.” (Romans 13:1 – 5; Hebrews 13:17)
3. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” applies to all relationships and
situations. Treat everyone in the class with respect and kindness. (Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:31; Ephesians 4:32; I Thessalonians 5:15)
Class Rules
1. During class lessons, raise your hand and receive permission before speaking. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” (James 1:19) Respect your classmate and do not do anything in class that will distract them from the lesson and waste their time.
2. Appearance must be neat and clean including hair. It is possible to be within the letter of the dress code but not with the spirit of the dress code. Please strive to fulfill both.
3. Do not make unnecessary noise in the hallways when other classes are in session.
4. Be kind and respectful to all students and adults. Refer to all adults with the appropriate prefix; Mr. or Mrs., also use the appropriate pronoun when addressing or responding to an adult; ma’am or sir.
5. While at your desk sit up straight facing the teacher (posture for learning). (I Peter 5:8; I Thessalonians 5:6)
6. Keep your desk, locker, the classroom, and our school neat and clean. (Nehemiah 10:39)
7. Working on anything in class apart from what you are being asked to do is prohibited. If you are finished what you have been assigned, and you want to work on some other class work get approval before you begin.
8. You may bring water to class provided it is in a closed container, but no other food, drink or candy will be allowed. There will be no warning for chewing gum on campus.
9. Treat other people’s property with respect.
Discipline Policy
Because of the unique consequences for some discipline issues, I will explain my policy under three headings: I. Attendance, II. Dress Code, III. Behavior Requirements
I. Attendance is required for all students. Students must be in the classroom ready for class when the bell rings.
A. Any student who is not in class is counted tardy. HCA policy manual states that there are no acceptable reasons to excuse a tardy. Please do not ask me to.
B. Once a student has been tardy three times the parents will be notified that on the next tardy the student will serve a detention.
C. If a student is tardy because of carelessness, any assigned work that was due is also late and will be reduced 20% of the possible grade.
D. If a student misses 15 classes or more in a year, they may not be allowed to pass the class.
II. Dress code and uniforms are a required part of the educational experience at HCA. For a summary of the dress code please follow this link http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df6d7km5_22hk2mnv. A student who does not comply with the dress code will receive two verbal warning, on the third infraction the student will be required to wear their formal chapel uniform for the following five days. This is simply to ensure that the student is within dress code while they familiarize themselves with HCA’s dress code.
III. Behavior Requirements and Procedures: There are many rules that need to be followed in order for class to function smoothly. A more complete list of these can be found on the class blog. If these procedures are not followed the following steps will be taken.
1. A warning will be given
2. The student will be assigned 25 sentences to copy. These sentences must be signed by a parent and are due at the beginning of class the next time the class meets.
3. The student will be assigned 50 sentences to copy. The student’s parents will be contacted These sentences must be signed by a parent and are due at the beginning of class the next time the class meets.
4. The student will be referred to 30 minutes of After-School Detention. The student’s parents will be contacted.
5. The student will be referred to 45 minutes of After-School Detention. The student’s parents will be contacted
6. The student will be referred to 1 hour of After-School Detention. Three after school detentions also necessitates an immediate office referral.
7. If the student fails to complete the discipline assignment he receives on any of these steps, he will receive the next level of punishment.
Academic Expectations
This is going to be an exciting year with a lot of material to cover; much to learn and do. I intend as much as possible to make the class a mentally and spiritually stimulating and vigorous environment. I will allow for student to express their ideas and opinion in appropriate formats, but everything must be done in a way that will be honoring to God.
Students in this class will need to have access to a computer and the internet. Of course they may use the computers at the public library, or I can schedule times after school when they can use the computers at school. Several assignments will require students to be able to use the internet. Also every paper that is turned in will have to be submitted as an electronic document as well as being printed on paper.
Though this class will be challenging, I hope it will be equally rewarding for each student. We will write almost every day, and there are several books that will be read throughout the year. Please remember that as an honors level class, this class will have a high standard of expectations. Students who make a “d” or “f” in the first or second quarter of this class will be required to take the regular class.
For further information please see the Parent Handbook.
Absences and Makeup Work
Students who miss some class days they have two days for each day they missed to make up the work that was assigned in those classes.
Makeup work will have to be done either before school, after school or during lunch break. No makeup work will done during regular class hours.
Any work that was due on the day they missed is due the next day they are in school.
If a student is on campus any part of a day they need to turn in all the work that is due in each class they would have that day. In other words a student may leave not campus and thus avoid turning in an assignment, even if they go home sick they must turn in all their work or it will be counted tardy.
All major assignments are due on the due date regardless of whether you can be at school. Please complete your assignments early and email them to me or give them to a friend to turn in if you can not come in yourself.
Homework Guidelines
1. All homework is due by the bell at the beginning of class. It must be in its final form on the desk accessible to me when the bell rings, any changes made after the bell may result in a deduction of points.
2. All homework must be turned in on normal, neat, white, loose-leaf 8 and 1/2 by 11 paper.
3. All homework may be printed or handwritten. If handwritten it must be legible and neat in black or blue ink. If printed it must be in a clear normal looking font with black ink.
4. All homework must have the standard MLA heading in the upper left hand corner and the correct page numbering system.
5. Homework that is not turned in on time will receive a deduction of 20% up till the next time the class meets after which the work will receive a zero.
6. If a student is tardy for class their homework is late, remember if you are early you will never be late.
All homework that is not in keeping with these guidelines will be returned and will need to be completed for the next day. It will also receive a 20% deduction.
Homework will be announced in class and recorded on the class blog by 6 p.m. the day it is assigned.
