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Class Expectations for Mrs. Bolvin's Biology Level 1 Classes

Dear Students:
 
This paper outlines course expectations for your biology class for the 2008-2009 school year. Please read it carefully because it is the “guts” of your science class. I am looking forward to a great year!!! 
Course: Biology Level 1
Teacher: Mrs. Bolvin
Class goals: The goal of this course is for you to gain an appreciation and an understanding of the living world, which we are a part of.
Text: Biology: The Dynamics of Life, 2002 edition
The Website: You may find the expectations for this class and all the topics we cover at Mrs. Bolvin's Level 1 Biology website. You will also find links for study guides for selected chapters, practice activities for the MLR's, links for more infomation about the topics we will cover and special how-to guides for topics we will cover in Level 1 biology. The address for the Level 1 biology website is http://www.msad54.org/sahs/science/team1/BiolC/Goddess.htm
Materials to be brought to class daily:
Ring binder, textbook, something to write with, finished homework
Academic Expectations:
1. All school and class rules will be followed. Discipline decisions will be made according to the student handbook.
2. Be on time for class. Be ready to work, cooperate and contribute. Being prepared for class includes bringing all required materials.
3. I really want you in class. Tardiness will not be accepted. You are given enough time to get from one class to another with a short visit to you locker between classes. You are not given enough time to socialize/ walk a significant other to class, stop to watch a fight, etc. These are not excuses to be late for class. If a teacher delays you on your way to class, get a pass from them. I will check it out at a more convenient time. If it is not legitimate you will be required to get a blue slip from the office that allows you to make up any work you have missed.
4.Tardiness to class will be dealt with as outlined in your 2008-2009 Student Handbook. The consequences for tardiness are

First tardy	15 minute detention with Mrs. Bolvin
Second tardy	30 minute detention with Mrs. Bolvin
3rd and additional tardies=	administrative detention

5. If you are absent for more than 20 minutes of class, it will count as an absence for the day. More than 18 absences for the year should result in attendance appeal with the possibility of receiving no credit for the course.
6. If you are tardy to school but eventually arrive during class or you are dismissed from school during class, you will be considered absent for the time you were missing from class. You will have to provide a blueslip from the office and will be subject to the makeup policy as outlined in #7.
7. Make up policy: You will be given five school days after you return from your absence to make up the work and present a blue slip. Tests are exempted from this rule. If you were present the day the test was announced but absent the day the test was given, you will take the test during the first day you are back in class. Be prepared. If the work is not made up or you have not given me a blue slip from the office within 5 school days, you will receive a zero for the work. It is your responsibility to meet this deadline. The deadline for extended absences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. Late policy: To participate fully in class, you must have your homework done on time. The type of homework I walk around the room and check for completion will not be given a grade if it is not done when I check it. If I physically take homework from you to grade for accuracy, you may get a small extension. You may turn in your homework before the bell rings at the end of the day with a 20-point deduction in grade. After the bell rings, your work will not be accepted for grading. The exception to this rule is if I collected your work period 7/8. In this case you have until the first bell rings the next morning to turn in your homework but it will also receive a 20-point deduction. After the bell rings in the morning it will not be accepted.
9. Any test will be announced at least 3 school days before it will be given. If you are absent for the day we review but were here when the test was announced you will take the test. If you are absent on the day we take the test, you will take the test the next day you are in class. Be prepared.
10. I encourage you get extra help during study hall or after school. I am usually available before school beginning at 7:20 a.m. at my duty station. I am also usually available after school until 2:10 p.m and by appointment later than that. Check with me to make sure I don’t have a meeting.  Since there will be bus transportation and tutor provided 4 days a week aftershool, I strongly suggest you make use of these services to be sure you keep up with your work and seek out the help you need to be successful.
Behavioral Expectations:
1. Respect for everyone in the classroom will be shown at all times. You usually get treated the way you treat other people. A mature and self-respecting person does not need to resort to put downs, interruptions and offensive jokes just to get attention.
2. Please respect all school property such as books, furniture, walls, radiators etc. Do not write on the desks with anything including your eraser. If you are found doing this, you will have to wash all the desks and counters in the classroom. If you are caught twice, you will have to wash all the desks in the green section.
3. Follow all lab safety rules. Careless behavior and thoughtless actions that cause glassware breakage during lab will result in “dish duty”. More serious misbehavior may result in removal from lab and loss of lab credit. I do not hesitate to contact the office and/or parents if necessary. 4. Inappropriate language (cussing) will not be tolerated.
5. Gum chewing is a private experience, not to be shared with others. As long as I don’t see it, hear it, or smell it, you can do it. 
6. Having a little snicky snack is okay as long as I don’t have to clean up after you leave. If I start finding empty wrappers and bottles around the room, there will be no eating or drinking in class.
7. Cell phones, pagers, and beepers are a distraction to your learning process. Please turn these items off and store them as outlined in the student handbook. If your cell phone rings during class, you will be awarded a 30 minute detention for disrupting the learning process. You will not be allowed to make or take calls during my class. If you make or take a call during class, you will have your cell phone confiscated and will get it back after serving a 60 minute detention.
Grading:

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