EXPECTATIONS

1. Respect for yourself, other students, teachers, and administrators
2. Completion of all class work and homework
3. Work always done to the best of your ability
4. Readiness (be prepared) to discuss and/or take a quiz on any assigned reading or other homework
5. Written work presented neatly
6. All work turned in on time

POLICIES

1. RESPECT
   1. Always demonstrate respect through attitude, behavior, words, and actions toward

1.       Fellow students

2.       Teachers

3.       Self

1. RESPONSIBILITY
   1. I am responsible for teaching
   2. You are responsible for learning
   3. Together, we create the education
   4. Take responsibility for your choices and actions
   5. Come prepared with books, paper, pen/pencil, and homework daily

1. PUNCTUALITY, TARDIES, AND CLASS ATTENDANCE
   1. Be in your seat working on warm-up when the bell rings
   2. If you are tardy without a pass, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken
   3. It is essential for you to attend class; nine absences from class may result in a loss of credit

1. APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM AND LEARNING ENVIORNMENT
   1. Keep the classroom neat; pick up after yourselves
   2. Be IN YOUR SEAT and ready when the bell rings
   3. Remain in your seat until dismissed by the teacher
   4. Listen when others are speaking; wait your turn; don’t interrupt
   5. Do not talk during written quizzes, tests, or exams
   6. No food, drink, or gum other than bottled water allowed in the classroom

1. LATE WORK/TESTS

Late work includes any work not completed by the due date or that demonstrates a lack of quality because it is incomplete or obviously not the student’s best work.  Late work cannot be accepted- with one exception.  Each student will be allowed one late assignment per quarter.  This allowance is designed for that rare occasion when a family or extracurricular commitment honestly prevents the student from getting an assignment done on time.  In the event a student is absent on a day when a test or quiz is given, the student will only be granted the same number of days absent to take the make up test or quiz.  (i.e. If a student is absent one day, they must make up the test on the day they return). If the test or quiz is not made up in this time period, the score will be a ) and the student will not be allowed to make up the test or quiz.

1. GRADING POLICY

All written work, in-class activities, and tests are assigned a point value. The number of points for each assignment and test is determined by the length and/or difficulty of the work.  At the end of each grading period, the total of the possible points is converted to the following percentage scale:

                              90% - 100% = A

                              80% -   89% = B

                              70% -   79% = C

                              60% -   69% = D

59%              = F

1. HONESTY
   1. Honesty is expected at all time; honesty in explanation, honesty regarding homework (there is a difference in working together and copying), and honesty on quizzes and tests
   2. Copying, cheating, and plagiarizing are never acceptable – a zero will be given for the assignment in all cases and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken

1. PROCEDURES
   1. SSR-Just like last year we will have sustained silent reading right before class second hour.  Students are required to have a book to read. (Please no magazines.)  As part of the curriculum, I incorporate a quarterly novel project based on a book read independently.  I encourage students to use this SSR time to complete that reading.
   2. DAILY ROUTINE-Every class will begin with a Warm-Up/DOL Activity.  The warm-up may consist of a review of the previous day’s learning, new material to be covered, or a brief journal writing exercise.  As the students enter class, they are expected to begin the warm-up immediately.  Do not wait to be prompted to start.  All warm-ups are worth five points per day and will be collected every two weeks.
   3. AGENDA/OBJECTIVES-Following the Warm-up we will review the agenda and objective for the day. This will allow students the opportunity to fill in their calendar, as well as focus on the purpose of the lesson/activity.  The calendar should be completed daily and will be collected weekly.  These can be referenced on the web page.  The student’s grade will be written on the calendar about every other Friday. This calendar will need to be signed and returned for points creating another way to communicate progress in my class.
   4. CLASS WORK/ASSIGNMENTS-All class work and assignments are worth points.  It is expected all work will be completed to the students’ best ability, by the student and on time.  Since I intend to put forth the effort in grading all of the work, I expect students to put forth the effort in completing their work.
   5. GRADES-Grades are updated regularly.  Although progress reports will be sent home and require a signature, grades will also be posted on my web page. Please watch for a red handout within the first few days of class that will provide the password for access to your child’s grade.  *Please note grades will be updated weekly with the exception of essays due to the fact they require more time to evaluate and assess.
   6. ABSENCES-All assignments for the current week are posted on the assignment calendar in the classroom so a student can check for any missed work or changes in the agenda.  If a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to check for missed work.
   7. HALL PASSES-Although I encourage students to take care of business between classes, each student will be given two hall passes per quarter for restroom use.  Those who find it unnecessary to use hall passes will be rewarded by earning five points extra credit per pass that can be redeemed at the end of the grading period.
2. DISCIPLINE
   1. The Stapley discipline procedures will be followed as stated in the student handbook
   2. Disciplinary actions within the classroom include, but are not limited to:

1.       Student – teacher conference

2.       30 minute detention to be served before or after school

3.       Classroom clean up

4.       Parent – teacher phone conference

5.       Parent – teacher meeting

6.       Administrative action

1. QUESTIONS
   1. Ask, ask, ask- questions are always welcome.

My goal is simply to help you achieve your goals.  Always remember there is an appropriate time and place for everything; make sure the time and place are appropriate for your attitude, behavior, and words.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies or any assigned work, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (480) 472 - 2721 or lcmiller@mpsaz.org.

Mrs. C. Miller