Classroom expectations

How many people are allowed to use the bathroom at one time?

• 2

• 1

• You cannot use the restroom in this class

• Any number of people can use the bathroom at once

Answer explanation

Per our school policy, 1 person is allowed to use the restroom pass at a time. That is why there is 1 pass. It takes 1-3 minutes to walk to and from the restroom, and should take no more than 5 or 6 minutes to use the restroom. If you need 10+ minutes to use the restroom, please see me for a pass to the nurse and/or talk to your doctor.

Please go to the restroom and come back. You sign in and out from the restroom. I have access to this data. Please do not make me check that you are where you're supposed to be.

If you need to go to your locker, the water bubbler, or give something to a friend, you can just sign out with the bathroom pass.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The bathroom pass is for the bathroom only. Please ask me (before class starts or during independent work) if you need to go somewhere else, and I will write you a pass if it is appropriate.

This is a safety and responsibility issue. I am responsible for knowing where you are during our class time. You are responsible for prioritizing your education and making good choices.

When are you allowed to use your cell phone in class?

• Never

• When all of your work (current and missing) is done

• During activities where the teacher instructs you to do so

• When there's a sub

Answer explanation

The policy at South High states that you should not have your phone on during class. If Mr. Creamer or an AP visits our class, they will scold you for having your phone out. I do not mind if you are able to use your phone to complete activities related to class, and there are some activities where it is helpful to use your cell phone. If your work is all done, I will not give you a problem about your phone.

What happens if you use your phone during class?

• You miss out on important information that you will be assessed on

• You distract other people from doing their work

• You get an automatic referral to your AP

• You cause yourself unnecessary stress from thinking about too many things at once

Answer explanation

Per our school's policy on phones, I CAN refer you to your AP if your phone is distracting you from your work.

If you choose to use your phone instead of being present during class, you miss out on information that will likely be on an assessment later.

Sounds, games, messages, social media, and video calls are distracting.

It's stressful to be thinking about what you need to work on in addition to whatever is happening via messages or anything else. Choose to put it aside for 40 minutes. You have time before school, during lunch, and after school to tend to your phone. If you need to respond to a real emergency, please ask to step out for a moment.

Where do I find out what I missed if I was absent?

• From a classmate

• Asking the teacher after class starts

• Checking Google Classroom and the weekly agenda

• Asking the teacher before class or at the end of class

Answer explanation

If you missed class, check in with someone who was here yesterday, with Mx. Turner before class (or after class), and/or check the weekly agenda. You know when you are absent, so take the initiative to find out what you are missing.

If you are missing materials, the best time to tell me is before class starts, or the first time that I mention something that you know you don't have. Ex./ If you hear "Take out your Unit 4 packet" and you don't have one, raise your hand right away and I will find one for you.

If you ask me after we have been working for 10 minutes, it is wasted class time for you. If you ask me while I am instructing, it is wasted time for everyone else. There are some exceptions to this-- just try your best to be respectful of everyone's time and needs.

Who is responsible for making sure that your missing work is completed?

• The teacher

• The student

• A student's parent or caregiver

Answer explanation

If you miss class or are late to class, it is your responsibility to make up the missing work on your own time. I occasionally give "catch up" days, but you should not be using class time to make up work when there is other work to do.

There are exceptions, such as extended absences where it may make more sense for you to complete the work that came before whatever we have moved on to, or completing a review before taking an assessment.

I post materials to Google Classroom for each unit. It is your responsibility to check up on what you miss and ask questions if you're not sure what you need to do. I will try to check in with you before or after class, but I do not plan for this time during lessons. You can always email me or see me after school to catch up.

Do you need a written pass if you are late?

• Yes

• No

• Only if I'm late for first period

• Only if I'm more than 2 minutes late

Answer explanation

Per school policy, you need a pass if you are late to class. I will not ever kick you out if you are late, because I want you here!

I am willing to give you some grace if you are under 2 minutes late without a pass. I know how the halls get.

If you are late, please come in quietly and gather the materials you need. Please drop off your pass on my desk. If you are 2+ minutes late multiple times without a pass, I will contact home and invite you to stay after school for the number of minutes you are late.

It is a mixture of responsibility and safety. I am responsible for knowing where you are during our class time. You are responsible for prioritizing your education.

Is there a penalty for missing work?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

Your grade is made up of 3 parts- science content, lab work, and responsibility. You do not lose credit on science content or lab work if it is late. Your responsibility grade is affected by late work.

For example, a unit packet is worth about 50 points. 20 science, 20 lab, and 10 responsibility. If your packet is handed in late, you only earn 5 responsibility points (unless you contacted me about an extension). If I had to go find your packet in your folder, you do not earn any responsibility points. You can still earn up to 40-45 points (or 80-90%) if your packet is complete and late or not turned in.

How do I ask for an extension on my work?

• Email Mx. Turner with the reason you need an extension and the date that you plan to submit your work

• Ask Mx. Turner before or after class. Tell them why you need the extension and when you will submit your work.

• Write a note to Mx. Turner with a reason and a date you will submit work and give it to them or put it on their desk

• Assume the extension will be granted and submit the work whenever you can

Answer explanation

It is OKAY to ask for en extension! Life happens. When I was in high school, I asked for an extra day to complete a packet for my pre-calc class because I had just gone through my first break up the night before. My teacher granted it to me, and I submitted it the next day. Easy.

Talk to me if you need something. I will help you however I can. I cannot promise I will say "yes" to everything, but I will always explain when I have to say "no."

When is it okay to copy from other people?

• Copying notes you missed in class

• Copying data from your group members during a lab

• Copying answers from an assignment you missed

• Using the same answers on a group submission

Answer explanation

It is okay to copy notes from classmates and data from your lab partners. It is also okay to have the same answers when you are doing work that is assigned to your group. It is also okay to copy definitions of vocabulary words from the internet.

However, I expect that the work you submit individually is unique. Your grades are a measure of what you are learning, so I can't give you a grade for submitting someone else's work.

I can tell when you just looked up the answer to something on the internet, because it doesn't sound like you or it talks about something that we haven't covered in class.

I can tell when people copy, because 2-4 people have the exact same answers word-for-word. Or, the structure is exactly the same with 3 words that are different.

If you are missing work, please see me! I will help you get it done right.