Irvin High School Fall 2014

Mrs. Vasquez-Ramos
Regular Biology Room M210
vrvasque@episd.org
WELCOME! WELCOME! WELCOME!
Course Outline
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Nature of Science Biotechnology
Biomolecules Evolution
Cellular Structure & Function Taxonomy
Cellular Transport Viruses & Bacteria
Cellular Energy Protists & Fungi
Cell Cycle Organ System Interactions Plants
DNA Structure, Transcription, Translation Ecosystems
Meiosis Organ System Interactions Animals
Genetics Chemistry Jumpstart
****For all state-approved courses, the State of Texas has developed the Texas Essentials Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which define the guidelines under which El Paso ISD must
develop the objectives for the course. These TEKS are cross referenced to the EPISD curriculum objectives. In addition, EPISD objectives are also cross-referenced to the Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) objectives.The complete TEKS document, which was approved by the Texas State Board of Education (July 1997), may be found on the Internet at
www.tea.state.tx.us/teks, and is accessible by teachers, parents, and students.
Science Fair: Participation in Science Fair will be approaching very fast! If a student wishes to participate in science fair
they must talk to me by the 3
rd
week of school. Extra Credit: Doing a science fair project will count as extra credit during
the third 9 weeks. It only counts in one science class but if student is in more than one class, they may select the science
class it goes toward.

Required School Supplies: Book, Paper, Pencils, Pens, Folder and Composition Notebook (calculators are optional).
You will need to bring your materials to class everyday!
In addition you will need:
-1 folders one to hold papers that may need to go home.
Each class period will be responsible for bringing in supplies to be used by all students throughout the school year.
Such supplies include:
1
st
2 Rolls of scotch tape and a dry erase marker
2
nd
1 bottle of hand soap
3
rd
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
5
th
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
6
th
2 rolls of scotch tape and a box of tissue
7
th
2 rolls of scotch tape and a box of tissue

Tardies: El Paso High School tardy policy will be followed. If you are tardy you need to write down your name on the
tardy list and you will need to attend lunch detention within the next two days. If you fail to attend lunch detention
your will be assigned a referral.
Grading Policy:
Labs and Projects (minimum of 3 grades/9 weeks) 40% of grade
Daily, reading and homework assignments 20% of grade
quizzes 15% of grade
Tests 25% of grade
Exams/Quizzes: Will cover the textbook, lectures, lab work, and any other relevant materials or activities designed by
the instructor.
Exam Retakes:
1. Exam retake is by appointment only
2. Must make appointment to review the test with the instructor before test is retaken
3. Student can only retake an exam if he or she fails that exam.
4. Student may only receive the maximum score of a 70% on a retaken test

Projects: PROJECT #1 DUE- December 5
th
PROJECT#2 DUE- May 8th

Make-up Work:
Students have one day for each absence to complete make-up work. Make-up exams must be done before school or
after school. Absolutely NO make-up work or exams will be given for unexcused absences.
If you are absent:
1. Check the calendar.
2. Check the absent work folder of the day you missed (Monday, Tuesday, etc)
3. Take every sheet that has your name at the top. Might be one, might be more CHECK!
4. If the calendar says that you missed a lab or activity ask at the end of class about makeup times.
Late Work: Any work turned in late is 5 points off everyday it is late, after six days it will be worth 50% of score earned.
Remind 101:
Periodically throughout the year I will send text messages to your student and yourself if you would like of
upcoming deadlines or reminders. To take advantage of this please text one of the following codes to
(619) 320-6769 depending on what period your child is in.
2
nd
period Biology - @ramosbio2
3
rd
period Biology - @ramosbio3
5
th
period Biology -@ramosbio5
6
th
period Biology - @ramosbio6
Remind101 is a one-way text messaging and email system. With Remind101, all personal information remains completely
confidential. I will never see your phone number, nor will you ever see mine.

GRADES: Grades will be given out to students at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks and at the end of the semester. If student is
failing at any point, some or all of the following steps will be followed to ensure students success at El Paso High
School.
-Phone conference with parent.
-Student conference with teacher
-Extra Curricular Sponsor will be informed.
-Parent conference (in person) with student
-Mandatory tutoring for 4 weeks; 2 hours per week
-Referral to At-Risk Assistant Principle

Rules: Be Prepared, Be Productive, Be Cooperative
1. Follow all lab and safety procedures.
2. Be polite and be cautious of what you say.
3. Keep your hands feet and objects to yourself.
4. Raise your hand when you wish to speak and wait to be called upon.
5. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up.
(Rules of the school always apply reference student handbook)
Consequences:
First Offense: Verbal Warning
Second Offence: Teacher Conference - Phone Call to Parents- Teacher D-Hall
Third Offence: Student / Teacher Conference - Phone Call to Parents- Referral to student AP
Severe Disruption: Student is immediately sent to the office.

Rewards:
Daily: Praises & Thank You
Random: Positive phone calls or emails sent to parents/guardians.
**The instructor reserves the right to add other rules as the need arises and notice will be sent home**
Parents please note that progress reports are sent home every 3 weeks. If you do not receive one, please ask your child
about it or give me a call. This signed course syllabus/guidelines and the signed safety contract will be the first two grades.
If student turns in this syllabus and safety contract signed they will receive two 100s! Late work rules apply.


If you would like to receive e-mail updates on how your child is doing every 3 weeks, please provide me with an e-mail
address that I can send their progress reports to. You may also contact me via e-mail or call me at (915) 587-3500. My e-
mail address is vrvasque@episd.org


I/We have agreed to the Pre-AP Biology course guidelines, and will contact you (instructor) if we have any questions or
comments.



__________________________ ______________________________ ___________
Students Name (printed) Students Signature Date




__________________________ ______________________________ ___________
Parents/Guardians name (printed) Parents/Guardians signature Date




______________________________________________ ______________________
Parents/Guardians e-mail address Phone #s






























Irvin High School Science Safety Agreement


Students will be removed from the science activity by the teacher if:

a. Their personal appearance or dress is such that they can cause injury to themselves or other
students.
b. They are behaving in such a manner that they can cause injury to themselves or to other
students.
c. They are not following the prescribed safety rules for the science activity area or the particular
science activity being conducted.
d. They are going beyond the limits of the science activity into areas that may lead to an unsafe
situation.
e. They have not completed the pre-experiment activities that will allow them to work safely in the
laboratory situation



I, have read all of the rules including those
Student Name
attached. I understand what they meant when they were discussed by my teacher, or I had the teacher
explain them to me. I will keep the attached rules in my notebook for reference and easy access.

I, have read all of the rules. I have discussed
Parent or Guardian
them with my child and feel that my child understands what they mean and the consequences for
removal from class. I would like to inform the school that my child has the following physical or medical
situations that could affect their learning in science class (for example specific allergies, etc.)

1.

2. Home Phone Number

3.

4. Daytime Phone Number



I, , have received a signed copy of this
Teacher Signature

from on .
Student Name Date