You are fully expected to actively participate in class discussions and activities – producing high-quality work.

In order to be successful in this class, it is recommended that you utilize effective written and oral communication. Your active participation will weigh heavily on your final grade. All written work is expected to be original, methodical, logical, clear, effective, grammatically correct, free of spelling errors and properly cited. I fully expect that it should be a direct reflection of your best work.

Classroom Integrity

In business, ethics and integrity are vital to your success. Just as those two key elements are important in business, they are equally important in the classroom environment. I fully expect you to operate with academic integrity. I will not accept the work of others, unless it is a group project and you significantly contributed to the work. Please note, you must properly cite your sources—giving credit where credit is due. This is a no tolerance policy, as there is absolutely no excuse to steal/plagiarize the work of others. It is okay to repurpose content or draw inspiration, but you should not and will not submit someone else’s efforts as your own. You are highly intelligent, and I fully expect you to show up as such.

Out-of-Class Communication

You will frequently receive communications from me electronically, either via chat, email, Canvas, etc. Please make sure you check your email and other communication methods regularly.

Workload. The value you receive from this course will be commensurate with the thought, effort and reflection that you put into the endeavor.  The course has quite a bit of reading assigned for each session and a number of assignments throughout the semester paper, so students should expect to spend 3-8 hours outside of class for each session to read and reflect upon the assigned materials, complete assignments, and prepare for the next class session.

Timeliness.  It is fully expected that you arrive on time to class and fully prepare to engage in the classroom experience—remaining in class for the full period. If you will need to leave early for a doctor’s appointment or CTSO meeting, it is expected that you advise me in advance. If you have a CTSO meeting, your CTSO Advisor should provide advance written notice via email. You will not be allowed to leave class at any time with a verbal notice, unless it is your CTSO advisor requesting you themselves. If your class period involves lunch, you are expected to return from lunch in a timely manner.

Assignments, Deadlines, and Absences.  All assignments must be submitted, per the specified day and time provided to you. In the case of a block schedule, one school day means the next time the class meets. There will be a 10 point per day penalty for late work.

o   If a student is absent, you are expected to check Canvas to print off the notes they missed, and they may also come to tutoring hours to receive additional help.

o   It is the student’s responsibility to see me regarding make up quizzes/tests. Failure to complete missed work will result in a zero for those assignments.

Per district policy, if a student is present the day an assignment is made, the student is still responsible for the assignment/test on the due date even though absences have occurred in the interim. Exception: If a student is present the day the assignment is made and absent the day the assignment is due/or the test is given, the student is responsible for the assignment/test the day he/she returns to school. Extenuating circumstances may be considered in consultation with the principal/dean.

When absent, the local policy is a minimum of one school day make-up time for each day absent. In the case of a block schedule, one school day means the next time the class meets. Saturday and Sunday are not considered school days. A teacher is not required to accept the make-up work later than the end of the student school day. The teacher may impose a late work penalty for work turned in after this point.

Attendance. To ensure roll is properly taken and you are accounted for, I must hear a verbal response from you—acknowledging you are in the room.

Classroom Conduct. It is expected that your behavior is reflective of a young adult and is respectful and professional in nature. This means respectful communications, civil discussions—agree to disagree without malice, maintain decorum, and aim to always move the discussion forward in a positive and meaningful way. You are expected to constructively provide feedback to your classmates and teacher. It is imperative that you remain focused during your class experience and refrain from excessive talking that is not a contributory factor to your learning. You should not be emailing, web surfing, talking, or texting during your class experience.  

Bathroom Procedures. You are expected to handle your business prior to class; however, I understand you may need to step out from time-to-time. When you need to excuse yourself, please do so by signing out and signing back in upon your return. The Bathroom Sign Out will be on my desk.

Any behavior that in not aligned with the rules set forth in the student handbook will results in a referral to an administrator.

Grading

Your grades reflect the quality of your work submitted throughout the term, according to GPISD grading standards. Please review grading policy independently in your student handbook.