Classroom Guidelines_ Earth & Environmental Science

Classroom Guidelines 2018-2019

Course: Earth & Environmental Science

Teacher: Mrs. Chakra

Teacher e-mail: sanas.chakra@cms.k12.nc.us

Teacher webpage: mrschakra.weebly.com
Welcome to Mallard Creek High School:

Hello, my name is Sana Chakra and I am very excited to welcome you to a new semester
of learning about Earth Environmental Science. I graduated from the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), and have been teaching at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
for 8 years. I am looking forward to working with you and your child throughout this
semester, and with your support, I am ensuring a productive and successful school year.
Class content:

Earth Environmental Science course will be based on the NC Essential Standards and it is
designed to immerse students in the Earth systems that shape our environment. Students in
Earth Environmental Science class will study the processes and interactions of Earth’s
systems, structure, and dynamics. The four major fields in Earth Science include Geology,
the study of the Earth’s systems; Climatology/Meteorology, the study of the climate,
weather and atmosphere; Oceanography, the study of the Oceans; and Astronomy, the
study of the Universe. In addition, this course will extensively cover Ecology, the study of
the interactions among organisms and their environment emphasizing on Biodiversity and
the importance of biological interactions.
During this course, students will have access to an online textbook, to Discovery
Education, and test preparation sites. In addition, students will conduct laboratory
investigations, hands-on activities, researches, and projects to expand their critical-
thinking, to analyze environmental issues, and engage in evidence-based decision making
real world contexts.
Writing prompts and Math skills will also be integrated daily. It is important that students
be present to participate in all labs and class activities in order to receive complete
instructions.
Also, at the end of the school year students will take the North Carolina Final Exam
NCFE (20% of the Semester grade)

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Global connections:

This course will introduce students to the world-wide environmental crisis, global issues,
and sustainable development. Throughout this course, students are expected to be involved
with the scientific events happening around the world. Students will practice their literacy
skills, their understanding of the curriculum, scientific skills, problem solving, and critical
thinking to explore the interconnectedness of global perspectives. Also, how as students
they can become part of the solution, which coincides with the school vision/mission
“Prepare students to compete in a global society”.

Course Materials
 3-Ring binder, pencils, pens (blue or black), highlighter, loose leaf paper, 1
Manila Folder, and 1 “2 Pocket Folder”
 Course material will be on Class website, Google classroom, eBook, handouts
and extra learning material.
Wish List: Copy paper, Box of tissues, and hand sanitizer,

Classroom Expectations
1. Be on time
2. Be prepared
3. Be respectful
4. Be responsible
5. Be ready to learn

Daily preparation and communication:

Students are to enter the classroom everyday prepared, on time, have all materials
ready, and have a positive attitude.
Students should:
 Come in quietly.
 Get out materials and prepare to learn.
 Turn in homework within first 5 minutes of class (If it is turned in after that it
is LATE)
 Follow the agenda on the board.
 Get started on the warm-up
 Listen and follow directions the first time they are given.
 Participate and take notes in class!!
 Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak or leave your seat.
 Speak in low voices when working in groups
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Students will be assigned:

- Homework assignments (due at the beginning of class),
- Daily QUIZ
- Weekly TEST (at the end of week), and a UNIT TEST which will be announced
by the department one week prior to the test.
In total every week, students will be given 3 to 5 informal grades and 1 formal
grade.
Gradebook/PowerSchool, weekly Newsletter, and class webpage will be updated
weekly.

Classroom Policies:
1) NO FOOD OR DRINKS (Except Water) allowed in classroom.

2) Dress Code Policy

Students are expected to follow the School Dress Code Policy (Which is included at
the end of this packet)

3) Electronic Device Policy

 Students will receive Chromebooks, so Personal Technology Devices PTD.
 Cell phones, portable music players, games, and headphones are not allowed.
 Cell phones will be labeled and collected at the
beginning of class. No phone charging
According to the school policy if PTD are seen without permission during
class time, it will be confiscated and brought to the main office until a
parent or caregiver comes to collect it.

If a student does not comply with the teacher’s directions, he/she will receive
a referral and will be removed from class.

4) Tardy (School Policy)

 Students arriving after 7:15 am are required to report to Lock-out.
 Late buses will be announced and passes will be issued to students.
 Students who are late to class (2nd_4th block) will report to the lock-out station
located on their floor.

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Tardy Consequences:
o 1st tardy Warning
o 2nd tardy Parent contact
o 3rd tardy Parent phone call
o 4th tardy 1 hour community service
o 5th tardy 2 hour community service
o 6th tardy 3 hour community service
o 7th tardy 365 list/Revoke Parking Pass
5) Passes
 No passes will be given within the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15
minutes.
 No passes will be given during direct instructional time.

6) Rewards
**Students will receive 5 bathroom passes to be used within 9 weeks. Unused
passes will be redeemed for extra credits on a quiz grade.
**End of the quarter_Word of the Day (Green Handout)-to be collected as a
Formal Grade
**Students will be given Token ticket(s)/Super Science Coupons for class
participation.
10 tickets = 5 extra credit points on a quiz grade.
Super Science Coupon: Allows students to ask up to 3 questions during
QUIZ ONLY

7) Consequences (Any warnings will be noted under the student’s record)

st
1 Offense: Verbal Warning
2nd Offense: Conference with student
3rd Offense: Parental phone call/ or conference
4th Offense: Referral

Grading Policy (CMS/School Policies)

Grade Weighting
Formal Assignments/70% of Quarter Grade
(Tests, Comprehensive writing assignment, Projects)
Informal Assignments/30% of Quarter Grade
(Classwork, warm-up, Homework, Class participation, quizzes)

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Midterm 20% of Q1 & Final Exam 20% of F1

F1/Final grade of a semester course shall be based on the formula:

Quarter 1 (40%) + Quarter 2 (40%) + NC Final Exam (20%)

Ten-Point Grading Scale

A 90-100% B 80-89 % C 70-79% D 60-69% F 59 or below

Assignment Policy

Assignments DUE at the beginning of class (first 5 min); will be considered late
when handed in later in the same period!

Students may receive an initial score of zero (0%) (School Policy) for an assignment
or assessment:
 on which a student made no attempt or concerted effort
 on which a student was found to be cheating or plagiarizing
 that is missing or not submitted

Late Work for a Student Present in Class

Late assignments will be penalized depending on the type of assignment and
assigned date. (Projects grades will be reduced by 10% each day the project is
late)
Late work may receive less than full credit

Make-up Work due to Student Absence (School Policy)

If a student is absent on the day of a test, the student is responsible for arranging
the make up test during Tutoring time
Make-Up work from absences or missing assignments must be completed and
turned in within 5 school days.
Students are responsible with contacting the teacher concerning make-up
work/test.

Retesting (School Policy)

Students will be offered an opportunity to retest if they scored below an 80% on a
unit test. And completing the requirements for a retest The highest score they are
able to receive on the retest is an 80%.
Student are offered a retest during tutoring hours.

Credit for make-up work should be awarded as follows:

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 Excused Absences: Students must be given full credit for work if completed in
accordance to the arranged schedule
 Unexcused Absences: Students may receive less than full credit for work
completed in accordance to the arranged schedule
 Recovery If a student accumulates more than 10 absences, excused or
unexcused, they will receive a grade of “F” and will have to attend RECOVERY.

Notice:
ABSENCE BEFORE A TEST DAY WILL NOT EXCUSE A STUDENT FROM
THE TEST (All tests will be announced in advance).
If a student knows in advance that the test will be missed, they can arrange to take it
early.

Tutoring schedule: (To be Scheduled)

Tutoring is available each Tuesday and Thursday after school. Sessions begin at 2:30 pm
and end at 3:15.
Parents have to contact me by email to arrange a tutoring appointment.
Parents/guardians must provide transportation no later than 4 PM as per school policy.

Thank you,
Mrs.Chaka

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” ~ Henry Ford ~

School Dress Code Policy--------

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Please sign below indicating you have read and understand the expectations of this

course. Detach signature from page and submit it as the first HW grade

Student Name: _____________________________ Computer at home Yes_____ No_____

Internet access at home Yes_____ No_____

Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________Signature:___________ __ Date:___________

Parent’s email ___________________________________________________________________

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Mallard Creek High School 2018-2019 Dress Code

Mallard Creek High School will follow the policies outlined in the Student
Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. The following dress code has been
established for students at Mallard Creek High School:
1. Skirts, dresses, and shorts must reach the bottom of the fingertips when
arms are fully extended.
2. Jeans should not have holes above the knees unless leggings are worn
underneath.
3. Tops must cover chest, back, stomach, and shoulders (4 finger width).
Tops should not be transparent. Sleeveless shirts may only be worn with
a short sleeve t-shirt underneath.
4. No headgear inside of the building (hats, knit caps, do rags, and
sunglasses).
5. Hoods may NOT be worn inside of the building.
6. Rosary beads must not be visible.
7. Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist. No skinny jeans that cannot
be worn at the waist.
8. Clothing which advertises or portrays gangs, drugs, alcohol, tobacco,
violence, nudity, obscene language or has any slogan, or picture which is
not in good taste or demeaning to any group or gender, is not to be
worn in school. Any other objectionable subject matter determined by
administrators to be distracting from the learning environment.
Consequences:
Students who do not follow dress code will be asked to call parents/guardians
and sent to ISS until proper clothing is available. Repeated incidences of dress
code violations will carry increasingly severe consequences.