Humble High School

Dear Parents and Students,
     Hello! My name is Mrs. Berard and I am very excited about having your child in my Biology I class this year. If you have any questions or want to speak to me concerning any matter that may be addressed during the school year, feel free to contact me. I encourage all parents to take an active role in their child�s education and am very open to comments and concerns.

     My best advice for being successful this year especially in honors classes:
     Honors courses are different than regular classes in that students can expect more homework, independent readings, projects(one every six-weeks), quizzes, and tests. These classes are designed to focus and prepare college bound students by demanding them to think critically and purposefully. The curriculum will be taught in more depth and at times at a faster pace, so students will be tested every other class or every third class meeting. Expect homework on a regular basis.
     Level classes can expect to learn to the same content, only the pace will be slightly slower, and the tests are not as rigorous. There will be one to two projects per semester(not as demanding as honors projects). Level students can expect to have homework on a regular basis. Most assignments assigned in class will require some home time to complete.

1. Get ORGANIZED. Taking time to get organized helps reduce stress! I have a number of ways I plan on helping you with this.
   • I require that you keep a binder and it should be kept in a certain order. This binder will be checked periodically.
   • You are required to keep a calendar, grade sheet, and a running list of daily objectives. This way, a parent can easily keep up with their child�s class work, homework, due dates for projects, and current grade averages.
   • A student coming from middle school will find it difficult adjusting to the block scheduling. The hardest thing is trying to remember when homework is due. I strongly suggest that students purchase an agenda or assignment calendar to keep up with all of their classes. By asking the child to see their agenda, a parent can keep on top of their child�s work.
2. Prioritize and commit time for studying and doing homework. For any student saying: �I didn�t have time to study�, shows lack of commitment. A word to the parents: You can expect your child to always have work that he/she could be doing at home for this class, whether it be homework or studying for a test. Take time and assess the quantity and quality of your child�s homework and study time. If your student seems to have too much homework, it is because he or she is not taking advantage of time given in class to complete the assignment.(most often in level classes).
3. Do not confuse familiarity with understanding. Just because you may have seen some of the information before does not mean that you know and understand it. Everyone needs to study for my tests, which require not only for you to know material but to apply what you know. Honors tests will have a range of test questions, which include short answer, essay, application, and fill in the blank. Level tests will not be so rigorous, with multiple choice and matching. However, level students will be required to answer some short answer questions.
4. Do your best and don�t worry about what other people say. This is high school; it is supposed to be harder. Yes, it is possible to get an �A� in this class. Just remember that the quality of your grade depends directly on the amount of serious time and energy you put forth.
5. Be Positive. You can do anything you put your mind to. Do not complain about the amount of work you have in your classes. For honors, these classes are the only option for students wanting to be pushed to maximize their learning. There are other options for those who do not want to be pushed.
6. Go to tutoring. Everyone needs help sometimes. A tutoring service is available both before school, starting at 7:00 A.M. and directly after school. I am usually available daily before and after school, except for my duty day. If I am not available, other teachers in our science department are very capable of helping you with questions about the material.

Supplies:

1. Three ring binder (1-1/2�)
   --Students must have a separate binder for Biology.
2. Loose leaf paper (200)
3. Blue or Black pens / pencils (for labs)
   --Work will not be accepted written in bright colored inks.
4. Red pen for grading
5. Daily planner/agenda
6. Colored pencils
7. Study aids that could help: Highlighters, sticky notes, index cards, etc.
8. Roll of paper towels
9. A book to read when class work is finished early.

Grades:

A	100-90
B	89-80
C	79-75
D	74-70
F	69-0

Grading for Level Biology:
60% = tests, projects, and a six-weeks mastery test
20% = labs, quizzes, and a participation grade
20% = class work, homework, and journals

Grading for Honors Biology:
70% = tests, projects, quizzes, and a six-weeks master test
30% = class work, homework, journals, labs, and a participation grade

     If students happen to fail a test, he/she has a choice of coming in on their own time to retest. The highest grade possible on a retest is a 70%.
     ** A mid-six weeks progress report will be sent home with every student. **

Homework / Classwork:

1. A student who does not have his homework the day it is due has a chance to turn it in the next class period for a 50%. After that, the homework assignment can not be made up at any time (unless absent, see the Wildcat Policy Handbook). Many students try and turn in incomplete work for minimal credit. A 50% can be given for effort; however, incomplete work does not show effort and can not be turned in until completed for a 50%.
2. Keep a 3-ring binder with all of your notes, homework, and labs, in chronological order. You will have specific guidelines to keep your binder in order. This will help you study for your semester final exam. This notebook will be checked.How to organize your binder
3. There will many group activities that will demand your attentiveness and cooperation. A participation grade will be given for these activities.

Makeup work:
     It is your responsibility to keep up with any missed work. District policy allows one class day of make-up for each day missed. Assignments due on the date of the absence are due on the date of return. A student has two days from the date of the absence to take a missed test. If your absence is truant/unexcused (forget to bring a note from parents or skipped) work due on the date of the absence will be counted as a zero. (See Wilcat Policy Handbook page 41.)
     A word of advice: Do not wait until our next class meeting to get make-up work. My classroom is open in the afternoons. Come by and get missed work before our next scheduled class meeting. Life gets harder when you get behind.

General Classroom Procedures:

1. Enter class quietly and be seated before the tardy bell rings. Start on daily assignments.
2. Sharpen pencils before the tardy bell rings.
3. Bring all books and materials, including binders and daily planners/agendas, to class everyday. Books must have a book cover on them at all times.
4. Students are not allowed in the stockroom or around the back of my desk.
5. After the tardy bell, you may not get up from your seat unless given permission from the teacher. We will have plenty of labs to get up and move around.
6. Permission to leave the room will be limited to emergencies only.
7. One restroom pass per six-weeks.
8. Sit in your desks properly. Do not sit on the top or back of your desk. When in lab, keep all legs of your stool on the ground! THANKS!
9. It is rude to speak out, interrupting the teacher during lectures. Raise your hand when you want to ask questions or add to a discussion in class. Be patient and wait for my recognition to speak. Remember, other students are following what I am saying and will be lost if you interrupt. Be patient and pay attention. Students may help explain topics of discussion with each other, but do so quietly and quickly. Low voices must be used during labs and activities.
10. Throw away trash after class ONLY! Keep trash in your book sack until time. Look around desk when you leave and remove any trash whether it is yours or not. THANKS!
11. I do not want to see candy or drinks in my classroom. If I see them, they are to be deposited in the trash, no questions or arguments.
12. When the bell rings at the end of the period, class is not dismissed until I say so.

Classroom Rules as Posted:
Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Rights and Responsibilities: Everyone has:

1. the right to live safely,
2. the right to learn,
3. the responsibility to be polite,
4. the responsibility to be honest,
5. the responsibility to use time wisely.

   Woodbury, Jacqueline M.,"No More Rules!", Learning, November/December,1997.

1. More work done in class will result in less need for assigning homework.
2. We will enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere for both students and teacher.
3. Everyone�s individual right to learn will be upheld.
4. Good behavior will result in rewarded choices, privileges and freedoms.

Discipline Policy:
1st Offense: Warning. Incident documented. Student/Teacher Conference. (A short meeting with the student to make it clear that his/her behavior in unacceptable.)
2rd Offense: Behavior Contract Documentation. Student /Teacher Conference.
3th Offense: Parent/Teacher Conference. Incident Documented. Call to parents and/or counselor referral.
4th Offense: Office Referral. Severe infractions or repeated problem behavior will be sent to the office immediately.