Email Is My Preferred Method of Communication

Ecology of Marine Ecosystems SC75 MS. FINZER 480-472-3183 [email protected] http://www.mpsaz.org/dobson/staff/hxfinzer/

 Email is my preferred method of communication.  Email - you should receive a response with-in 6–12 hours.  Phone message - you should receive a response with-in 24 hours.

Materials: Students will be required to bring the following materials to class every day. 1. Spiral Notebook- 100 page college ruled spiral notebook that is 8 ½ in. X 11 in. 2. Student Handbook 3. Pencils and Pens 4. USB drive and Student gmail account – please know your log-in and password 5. Would prefer if every student had a laptop/tablet/Smartphone Donations of facial tissue and glue sticks are always appreciated 

Course Description and Requirements: A one year survey of marine ecosystems and environmental problems with an emphasis on computer-based, hands-on laboratory investigations. The class has a high level of difficulty and the students should be prepared to put forth a considerable amount of time into the course.

Prerequisites: For success in Marine Biology students should have already passed Biology and Chemistry.

Coursework: The laboratory component will be emphasized to help you become skilled researchers and observers of scientific events. Although there will be occasional lectures, the major responsibility for content learning will be through your weekly guided readings. Quizzes and tests will follow.

Attendance: You will lose credit for the class after nine absences. Being gone that much means you have miss significant work and you have not contributed to essential team effort.

Tardies: Dobson has a Sweep policy in effect that means that all students that are tardy to class are to be sent to the sweep room for that class period. All work that was due that day MUST be turned into the sweep monitor and if it is not, then it is considered late and therefore falls under the Late Work Policy. Getting swept on test

1 day requires that the student take the quarter make-up exam. Every student will be allowed 3 front office purple tardy passes per quarter. After those tardies are accrued your student will be sent to Sweep every time they are tardy to class. This should only really affect the chronically tardy students.

Class Calendar: A comprehensive calendar and link to every class and homework assignment are located on my Marine Biology link.

Homework: Homework is expected to be typed, completed and turned in on time. Homework is due at the beginning of the period. You will have usually 3 to 5 days to complete each assignment so do not wait until the last minute to find out your printer is out of ink. All homework and lab write-ups are to be your own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. First offense is a zero for the assignment; second offense is loss of credit for the class.

Make-Up Work Procedures: If there is an excused absence, get make up work and do it immediately, otherwise no late work is accepted.

Late Work Policy: All late work will be marked with a 50% loss of credit.  Late work that was initially required to be TYPED must be HANDWRITTEN when turned in late.  Late work that was initially required to be HANDWRITTEN must be TYPED when turned in late.  Late work MUST be turned in before the end of the unit. All work not turned in before the Unit Test will NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Gradebook Updating: The online gradebook grades are up to date and will have all assignments listed that are in progress or are finished. Minimally I take about 2 days to grade papers and lab reports but quizzes and tests are usually entered with-in 24 hours.

Tests: Do not miss scheduled tests; they can only be made up by taking the cumulative test at the end of the quarter.

Test Taking Rules: Any student talking during a test will receive a zero for the test. Electronic devices confiscated during a test will result in a zero for that test. This does not include the in-class check for understanding quizzes where we utilize technology.

Semester Final Exam Dates: Thursday, December 17th and Friday, December 18th. Please note that final exams are not given early. Ample notice is being provided, please plan accordingly.

2 Grades: Semester Overall Grade: 90-100= A 1st Quarter – 50% 80-89= B 2nd Quarter – 50% 70-79= C 60-69= D 0-59= F

Class Rules: 1. Follow directions with no class disruptions. 2. Raise your hand. (Only one person talks at a time) 3. Be in your seat when the bell rings and stay in your assigned seat during class. 4. Bottled water is the only food or drink allowed in class. 5. The teacher will confiscate any electronic devices visible in the classroom.

Consequences: 1. Warning for the first two disruptions. 2. Third disruption will result in detention and parent contact. 3. Send to administrator - place on contract. 4. Break contract - Place in ISS ( In School Suspension)

Extra Help/Tutoring Routine:  It is important to let me know that you plan to come in for extra help that way I can arrange to be in the classroom to help you.  You can sent me a quick email saying you will be in for tutoring in the morning or you can tell me before or after class or after school.  Be prepared with what topic or idea you are struggling with so I can best help you. Please be specific in your needs I may have more than 1 student in need of help in more than 1 subject area so the more specific you are, the better able I am to assist you with your specific struggles.

Office Hours: Here is a tentative weekly schedule. These times can change without notice. Monday/ Before school. Lunch - let me know you are coming to see me for help. I Tuesday/ work PRIDE room after school (Mondays ONLY) but you are welcome to Friday: stop by my classroom for assistance.

Wednesday: After school. Lunch - let me know you are coming to see me for help. NO BEFORE TODAY. Thursday: Before school. Lunch - let me know you are coming to see me for help. NO AFTER SCHOOL TODAY.

3 Period ______Student Section

I have read, understand and agree to abide by the conditions stated on the attached sheet. I will check my grade on the district portal on a regular basis. I understand that Ms. Finzer is available most days to give extra help if I need it.

Student Name (Please Print) ______

Student Signature ______Date ______

Parent Section

I have read, understand and agree to abide by the policies for class as stated on the preceding page. As a parent, I agree to periodically check my child’s grade at the Mesa Public Schools portal. I also understand that if my child needs extra help Ms. Finzer is available most days.

Parent Name (Please Print) ______

Parent Signature ______Date ______

There may be times when I will want to reach you by phone or email. The following will help me do so efficiently.

Parent name(s) - please print ______

Home Phone ______

Fathers Work phone______

Mothers Work Phone ______

Email (Print clearly) ______

Mailing Address ______

City ______Zip Code ______

*Please return this page to Ms. Finzer by August 19th.*

4 PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO MS. FINZER

Student name (print) ______

Student signature ______

All homework and lab reports are expected to be typed. Students will have several days to complete each assignment, so if a computer is not available at home the work may be completed at school. There are computers available in the classroom, the science computer lab and in the library. Students will have Internet access both in the classroom and in the science computer lab, however; it will be a big help to the student if they can access a variety of biology related sites at home.

I have/ I don’t have a computer at home.

I have/ I don’t have Internet access at home.

I do/ don’t know how to make graphs on Excel or Logger Pro.

Please tell me something about yourself, so that Ms. Finzer can get to know you.

Do you need Marine biology to graduate?

Why are you taking Marine biology?

Career Goals:

What else are you involved in: activities /clubs/ sports/ volunteer? Which one(s)? Why?

What is one characteristic/ trait/ ability about you that I would never guess?