Dear Parents/Guardians, Date

I am Mr. Bruce P. Smallacombe and I will be your child’s science teacher for
the school year school term. In this packet, you will find all of my classroom policies
and procedures that I expect all students to follow. At the end of this packet, you
will find a form for you to fill out and return to me for my records. This form not
only states that you have read and agree to the information in this packet, but also
gives me information that will help communicate more efficiently with you during
the school year.

I am looking forward to educating your child this school year and I hope you
will contact me at the high school by phone (extension) or by e-mail
(bsmalls10_7@yahoo.com) if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank your for your support in advance.

Course Title:

Teacher: Mr. Bruce P. Smallacombe

E-mail: bsmalls10_7@yahoo.com

Conference Times:

I. Course Description and Instructional Goals:

List Description of course and plan for the year

Instructional Model:

Daily Warm-Ups

May include, but not be limited to:

• Warm up problems

• Review problems from previous day’s lesson

• Lead-in discussion for current lesson

• Homework answer check

• Blogs

Teacher-Directed Instruction

Standards Driven:

• Direct Instruction

• Modeling

• Discussion

• Lab Activities

• Group work/Peer modeling

II. Materials/Textbooks/Technology:

• Textbook (title)

• Computers/Internet

• Laboratory Apparatuses

• Worksheets

• Videos

• Other Teacher Selected Supplemental Activities

III. Assessments Will Include

• Tests

• Quizzes

• Homework

• Projects

• In-Class Assignments

• Lab Activities

• Blogs

IV. School Grading Scale

List grading scale of school

V. Grading Policy

I want to give EVERY student the opportunity to succeed in this class. I

believe that ALL students should master the material. Several policies to
facilitate mastery of the material required for this class are listed below.
Students will have the chance to make up non-passing test grades ONLY.
The student will receive the higher of the two grades. Students must sign up
with me the day they learn of their failing to retake their test (which will be a
different test), and take it within one week.
 In regard to any projects/lab reports, any which are not handed in on
time will lose five (5) points for every day after the due date. I also follow the
High School’s grading policy for homework assignments. If a student does
not hand in a homework assignment on time, it is a zero and no chance for
make up will be allowed. If I see a student copying homework or trying
desperately to complete an assignment as I am walking around and checking
other students’, I will give him or her a zero. I do want my students to
succeed, but they are all young adults now and need to take responsibility for
some things. A student must complete 90% of their assignments for the
quarter or they will automatically fail. If a student is absent, I will check their
homework the day he or she returns.

I do not give extra credit assignments! I also do not allow for make up
tests during the last week before the marking period ends.

Below is the break down of my grading scale:

• Homework/classwork 40%

• Tests 30%

• Labs 20%

• Quizzes 10%

• Class participation can give you those few extra points to get you to
the next letter grade, but will not take any away. Grades will not be
used as punishment. If you goof off in class, don’t ask for points.

VI. Homework Policy:

As stated earlier, homework is due the next class day unless otherwise
stated. Part of every students’ homework is to bring all of their materials to
class. We may not use the textbook everyday, but I do make reference to it.
Because of this, students must always have their textbooks. If I should make
a reference to a page in the book and a student does not have their book, it
will be a zero for class participation.

If a student does not have their notebook, they will receive a zero for
homework. How can a student take complete notes in order to study without
a notebook? They cannot.
 If a student does not have a pencil, they can ask me, but it will cost
them a quarter. In the past, I have given away too many pencils and pens
that I have not been given back. If I am going to spend money to get pens
and pencils, I would like to be compensated in order to be able to purchase
more. No quarter = No pencil = No proper notes = No class participation
points (See how this works ).

VII. Cheating Policy:

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. A score of zero will be

received by the party or parties taking part in the offense. A student will not
be able to make up an assignment if a zero is received due to cheating, and
the parent/guardian will be contacted to inform them of the situation.

VIII. Classroom Requirements

Students will have assigned seats. Students should be in their assigned

seats with all of their materials out and ready to work when the bell rings (i.e.
pens, notebooks, textbooks, homework…). Students will be considered tardy
if they are not in their seats after the bell rings. Coming into my room as the
bell rings = not being in your seat = not being ready = tardy. (Now you’re
catching on!!!)

If students show up without the necessary materials for class, they will
not be allowed to return to their lockers to get them.

One change for this year is that I am not going to check notebooks on
Fridays. If a student doesn’t keep their notes to study, they still have the
book to use to help catch them up. Instead, students will be required to
complete a weekly “Blog” assignment. If a student does not have internet
access at home, I will have the computer cart at least once a week for
students to do this assignment.

One assignment a quarter will be collected and graded as a quiz. This

means every assignment must be completed totally and accurately.
Students who leave questions blank instead of attempting to search harder
for the answer are not doing their best and these graded assignments will
show that.

Due to the desks (tables) in my room, students will be allowed to work

together with one partner on most assignments. One student doing all the
work and the other simply copying the answers, however, is not the goal of
this. Both students are to help each other and must both agree before they
put down an answer. If one student is not carrying his or her weight, it will
result in a zero for that assignment due to cheating.

IX. Substitute Procedures

 Occasionally I may be absent for one reason or another. On days in
which there is a substitute for me, I expect all students to abide by the rules
set forth in this classroom. Treat the substitute with the same respect you
would treat me. I only want to hear good things upon my return.

X. Suggestions for a Peaceful Coexistence

1. Thank you for being prompt. When the bell rings, you should be
in your seat ready for class to begin

2. Thank you for keeping your area clean. Remember, you share
your space with another student. Respect that. There is NO
eating or drinking in my classroom. After having to clean up
everyone’s garbage last year, I have decided to not allow it.

3. Thank you for speaking to your classmates and to me in a calm,

considerate, respectful manner. You should expect the same
from me. Vulgar language shows a lack of vocabulary and a
lack of respect for yourself.

4. Thank you for being an honorable person. In order to protect

your integrity, certain measures will be taken on test/quiz days.
Your honesty is essential. All personal belongings will be moved
away from your desk. Students will be seated on opposite ends
of the table in order to give them the most space to work.

5. Thank you for keeping your requests to use the restroom to an

emergency basis. People of your maturity are usually able to
attend to those needs outside of class time. Any medical needs
should be addressed by a doctor’s note. You will be allowed
three (3) emergency passes a quarter. If you keep all your
passes, you will earn up to 20 points on your lowest daily grade.
If you have less than three, they will allow you to earn up to five
points for each.

6. Thank you for remembering that the quality of your education is

a cooperative effort on the part of you, your parents, our
administration, our counselors, our coaches, and me. If your
progress is less than what we would like, we will need to seek
help. I will not hesitate to contact any or all of our team for that
help.

7. Thank you for studying every day for at least 10 minutes by

reading the notes for the current unit. This is absolutely
necessary if you hope to pass. I DO NOT GIVE GRADES! YOU
EARN THEM! Work hard, do everything that I ask of you, and
come for help when you need it. If you truly do all of these
 things, you will pass easily. A halfway job results in a halfway
grade.

8. Thank you for coming before and/or after school to ask for help
if you are having difficulty. This shows your maturity and your
willingness to work hard.

9. Any cell phone is in violation of school policy and will be taken to

the office. Do not ask to have it back, even if you beg and
promise to never ever, ever, ever do it again. If you can’t wait
45 minutes to talk to someone you just got done talking to, then
you have separation anxiety and we have counselors for that.
Also, parents, please don’t text your son or daughter to find out
if they have a ride home or if they want chicken and stovetop for
dinner. Call the office and any messages will gladly be relayed
to your child.

10.Thank you for giving every assignment your best effort and
always submitting quality work.

If you agree to this packet, please sign and return the bottom half of this page for
my records. If not, please contact me and we will discuss your concerns. Thank
you.

Student’s signature:_________________________________________________

Parent’s signature:__________________________________________________

Best number to reach parent at:_______________________________________