Stranahan Science Department

Mr. Prexl’s Science Class -- Rules and Policies

INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Prexl (Room # 633) Phone: (754) 323-0650 Planning: Room #633 (1ST period planning) WEB SITE: http://www.flanaganhighschool.com/ (go to “teacher Web Pages” and click on “Prexl”)

** ALL Broward County School Board policies and Flanagan High School policies are in effect at all times! Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct” for additional information.** BROWARD COUNTY GRADING SCALE APPROXIMATE GRADING BREAKDOWN* Subject to change

90 - 100% = A Science Folder / Notes 12% 87 - 89% = B+ Class work / Participation 44% 80 - 86% = B Tests/Quizzes 44% 77 - 79% = C+ 70 - 76% = C * For a description of each category, please read 67 - 69% = D+ below. 60 - 66% = D 0 - 59% = F

ONLINE GRADES / ATTENDANCE: Grades and daily attendance are now available online via a program called “PINNACLE Viewer”. Visit the school website at www.flanaganhighschool.com and log on to check your progress. To sign on, you will need your student identification number. This number can be found on your class schedule, interim report or report card. The password is your date of birth. This will be typed as the year, the month and the day (for example if your birthday is September 26, 1994, you would type 19940926. Do not use spaces, slashes, dashes or commas). If you are absent it is imperative you make sure your excuses become excused on PINNACLE (usually takes a few days). Excuse all absences by calling the 24-hour attendance line at 754-323-0652.

ONLINE TEXTBOOK / MR. PREXL’S WEBSITE: An online textbook is available for this class at http://beep.browardschools.com (user name: 10 digit student number/ID, password: student birthday mm/dd/yyyy). Once you are logged in select “online textbooks”, then select “Science 6-12”, and finally select “Earth/Space Science”. I maintain a class website which includes assignment due dates, exam dates, assignment descriptions, etc. The web address is: http://www.flanaganhighschool.com/~prexl/ (you can also log onto the school’s main website and go to “teacher web pages”, click on “Prexl”, then select the appropriate class and then click on class assignments). The page is usually updated on a daily basis, if your miss class, you can obtain most work missed online!!

IMPORTANT DATES: 1st Semester 2nd Semester 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter INTERIM REPORTS Sept. 23, 2011 Dec. 08, 2011 Feb. 24, 2012 May 08, 2012 ISSUED (all classes)

Jan. 18–19, March 28–29, June 06–07, Oct. 26–27, 2011 EXAMS (all classes) 2011 2012 2012

REPORT CARDS Nov. 17, 2011 Feb. 08, 2011 April 19, 2012 June 27, 2012 ISSUED (all classes)

SCIENCE BINDER: Each student must obtain a loose-leaf binder (with prongs and side pockets).This handout, “Rules and Policies”, must be included at the beginning of your binder. Class notes from lectures given in class must also be kept in the binder. There should be three sections in the following order: one

1 section labeled “notes”, another labeled "Flanagan Reads" and one labeled “assignments”. Each time an assignment (or lecture notes) has been completed and/or graded it must be placed in the appropriate section. Reading exercises will be kept in the “Flanagan Reads” section. Assignments and lecture notes must be organized by date so that the most recent assignments are last. Mr. Prexl will inspect binders several times per term, each binder check is worth 10 points which will contribute to the 12% binder grade!!!). Students must take notes in class otherwise points will be deducted from the next binder check. Every binder check will be announced 3-5 days in advance (make sure to have everything ready!).

CLASSWORK: Not all class work assignments will count towards the 44% score. Mr. Prexl will not indicate which assignments will be counted since students must attempt their best on all assignments. I often give you time in class to finish your work, use your class time to finish all work regardless of when it is due!!! * If you miss class, CHECK THE CLASS WEBISTE for missed assignments, due dates, handout downloads, makeup work, what you missed, etc.!! *

TESTS: There will be a “closed-book, closed-notes” test at the end of every unit (roughly every two weeks). I also give you open book tests from time to time. If you miss class during a test day, be ready to make up the test on the day you get back!!!

MAKE-UP WORK AND ZEROS: By county policy, students have two (2) school days to make up the work missed during each EXCUSED absence, not including the day they return. If you miss multiple days make sure to stagger your assignments (i.e. if you miss Mon. and Tues., Mon. work is due on Thu. and Tues work is due that Fri.). However, previously assigned work is due the day of return. For all excused absences only, the student is responsible for requesting this work, scheduling any make-up tests and completing the work on time. If a student fails to appear for their scheduled make up, there will not be another opportunity to makeup the work. Any work not completed on time will be marked as a zero. Check the WEBSITE at home for missed assignments! I update it every day! Students will not be able to make up work for unexcused absences (this includes assignments, tests, labs, etc.). Cutting class means a zero on assignments due and assigned that day! I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK AND I DO NOT GIVE PARTIAL CREDIT. ANY ASSIGNMENT HANDED IN WITHOUT A NAME, ASSIGNMENT NUMBER, DATE, CLASS/PERIOD (IN UPPER RIGHT- HAND CORNER) WILL MOST LIKELY RECEIVE NO CREDIT. Whenever you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find and make-up work. Extra blank assignment handouts are always available in the yellow bin in class (or you can download almost everything from my class website)!!! If you are in Internal Suspension and/or have an early release or come in late you STILL MUST TURN IN ALL WORK DUE THAT DAY!!

TARDINESS: Students are expected to be at their desk when the bell rings (students who are not seated when the second bell rings will be considered tardy). Students arriving to school after 7:40 am must report to attendance BEFORE coming to class! PLEASE REFER TO THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT HANDBOOK for tardy policy information.

FIELD TRIPS/FORMS: Any forms needing a teacher signature or other information must be handed to the teacher before the class begins and may not interrupt a class period to get a form signed. Highlight your name in the bulletin when you get back!!!

PASSES: Students must wear their student ID badges at all times, especially when using a class pass. There will be no passes issued during the first or last ten minutes of class. DO NOT INTERRUPT CLASS TO ASK FOR A PASS, WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A “DOWN-TIME” (WHEN MR. PREXL IS TALKING OR ACTIVELY TEACHING). Other than getting called down to student affairs, the only reason a student should need to leave class is for restroom purposes (remember no snacks and drinks in class). Students will receive maximum of three (3) emergency passes every term. Bathroom passes should be a maximum of 5 minutes (one person at a time). If you take longer than this you may be using more than one pass at a time. If a student uses up all four passes he/she will not be allowed to leave class. Students will be given passes to Administration only if their presence is requested by announcement or a written notification. Only one student will leave the class at a time. Students that do not use their passes will receive extra credit points on their worse test score, each pass is worth 4 pts, total of 12 pts (with no class cuts, 3 or more unexcused absences, 3 or more unexcused tardies, no detentions or referrals from me, no cell phone use or music player use, no

2 sleeping). Students must sign out and sign in on the posted list and need to present their ID badge in order leave class. If you do not have an ID you cannot leave!!! Remember to give me your passes when you come back! STUDENTS WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE STUDENT PARKING LOTS AFTER 7:40 AM!!!

DAILY REQUIRED MATERIALS: school ID badge, 2 pencils with usable erasers, two blue or black ink pens, a red ink pen, ring binder (with 3 dividers and loose leaf paper for notes, corrected assignments and SSR). Participation points will be deducted when students are not prepared for class (not bringing necessary materials to class).

ID BADGES: Every student must wear their school ID badge at all times!!! This will also ensure he/she can utilize the Media Center, pay for lunch, participate in school activities, leave the class with a pass, etc.

DRESS CODE: Please refer to the Broward County student code of conduct available online! http://www.browardschools.com/press/pdf/Code_of_Student_Conduct.pdf (Some things that are discussed: no spaghetti straps, no underwear showing, no hats, etc.)

REMAIN SEATED AT ASSIGNED SEAT AT ALL TIMES UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED. Please ask permission to get up from your seat (i.e. sharpen a pencil), wait for a “down-time”. You will be dismissed by the teacher -- not the bell. Lining up at the door = a detention!

RESPECT: Do not speak when Mr. Prexl is speaking! If you wish to share something with the class, raise your hand and wait to be called on!! Follow instructions efficiently! Be courteous to others. Be on time!

RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY. Referrals will be written for any direct verbal or physical abuse between students or between a student and the teacher.

CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE. Anyone caught cheating or helping someone else cheat on any homework, quiz, or test will receive a grade of zero for that item and parents may be contacted. If this infraction is repeated, further academic and disciplinary action will result.

DETENTIONS: Students must serve detentions by the marked date (on Tuesdays and Thursdays only!). Failure to serve the first detention (1/2 hour) results in a double detention (1 hour). Failure to serve double detentions may result in an administrative referral (usually means internal suspension). Keep in mind that detentions are served after school at 2:45 pm in the cafeteria (those of you who work after school, don't get detentions!!).

** CELL PHONES, IPODS, CAMERAS, FOOD, DRINK, CANDY, GUM, RADIOS, MUSIC PLAYERS, ETC. ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS. SUCH MATERIALS WILL BE CONFISCATED AND TURNED INTO THE OFFICE (DO NOT USE/BRING THEM TO CLASS!!). STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHARGE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CLASS **

* PRINTER, CLASSROOM PHONE AND CLASSROOM COMPUTERS CAN ONLY BE USED WITH SPECIFIC TEACHER APPROVAL! *

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION & TELEPHONE NUMBERS Charles W. Flanagan High School Main - 754 323-0650 12800 Taft St. Main FAX - 754 323-0780 Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Attendance 754-323-0652 (recording) Student Affairs - 754 323-0670 http://www.flanaganhighschool.com/ Student Affairs FAX - 754 323-0787 Guidance 754 323-0700 Registrar 754 323-0673

STUDENT LABORATORY CONTRACT

3 There may be some experiments conducted as part of the learning experience. Since our classroom is not a science laboratory, no dangerous chemicals or fire will be used during experiments. The following rules must be followed:

1. Safety apparel will be worn when specified by the instructor. 2. Long or loose hair will be tied back. Excessively loose clothing or jewelry will not be worn. 3. All safety rules and regulations will be followed. 4. Experiments will be done in the specified order with the prescribed materials and quantities. 5. No unauthorized experimentation will be allowed. 6. The proper use of safety equipment and correct evacuation procedures will be followed. 7. Horseplay or other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated during laboratory experiments. 8. Never pick up broken glass with bare hands. 9. Report all accidents, no matter how minor, to the teacher. 10. Do not remove any equipment from the room without the teacher's permission.

Clean-up: I WILL NOT pick up after you! Everyone is responsible for putting books and lab materials away and cleaning their station. 10% of EVERYONE’S lab grade will be deducted for every minute I have to stay after class cleaning up anyone’s mess. In other words, if you see somebody being messy help them clean up! It can affect your grade!

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in reduction of grade, disciplinary action, or exclusion from ALL laboratory activities.

4 PLEASE RETURN TO MR. PREXL (THIS SHEET ONLY)!

CLASS POLICIES STUDENT / PARENT CONTRACT

Dear Parent / Student,

Please print and return this page to Mr. Prexl (it will count for points). Before signing this contract please read all the information carefully that is covered in the “classroom polices/rules handout”.

The contents of this handout conform to Broward County Schools policies and procedures. These guidelines are subject to change and will be updated accordingly. By signing this contract you agree to abide by the policies/rules outlined in this document and are fully aware of online grades, online attendance, online textbooks, our science class website, important dates, etc.

I have read all the information: I understand these rules and policies and I understand that I will be expected to abide by them.

______Student name (PRINT CLEARLY) Parent/Guardian name (PRINT CLEARLY)

______Student signature Parent/Guardian signature

Date: ______