Hello parents and students,
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday break. Students will be returning to school on Tuesday 07 Jan 2014 and we will hit the ground running when we return to school.
I need to stress a few issues to clear up any discrepancies or misunderstanding that might exist in my classroom procedures. I am and always will be a firm believer in the students being accountable for their learning. Not only is this my policy but it is the policy of Newpoint Academy. I have in the past 2 9 week grading periods provided students with multiple ways of obtaining information and receiving their assignments. This will continue. I provide it on our class websites, I provide it in class orally and in written form (the board). Let me stress at this point if the student is not paying attention and being diligent in their assignments I will not listen to excuses or accept late assignments. Students have been told repeatedly to go to the website some are choosing simply to not do so and this is not acceptable. Some students will be receiving lower grades then they might have expected to get on their report card simply because they did not turn in assignments. It is my responsibility to make sure they have clear instructions on their assignments, are clear on the deadline dates, receive assistance if they require it (they need to ask the questions if they are confused on an issue) and provide sufficient classroom instruction for them to complete their assignments. The student's responsibility is to make sure that they do the assignments, turn it in on time and pay attention in class.
During this 9 week period and the final 9 weeks I will adhere strictly to not accepting any assignment past the policy limits I have set in the past and I will not accept last minute assignments any longer because this has been taken advantage of. The late policy is as follows:
1 day late the student will receive a deduction of 10%,
2 days late the student will receive a deduction of 20%
3 days late the student will receive a deduction of 30%
anything later than 3 days will not be accepted. The only exception to this is if a student has an authorized absence I will then prorate the time 1 day for each day authorized. Simply not coming to school or getting checked out to miss an assignment due date will not be accepted.
This is a fair policy and a reasonable policy because students have had 18 weeks to become familiar with the routine. Claiming ignorance or that they do not know how to do this will not be listened to from this point forward because I have given each student in all my classes multiple training sessions on how to do this and some simply refuse to comply. What is unfair is that some students that are conscientious and do all their work, turn it in on time and comply with the rules have to lose time from their learning because I have in the past allowed those who have fallen behind to catch up. I will not do this anymore it is the student's responsibility to stay caught up and to ask questions if they have anything they are unsure of.
In an attempt to make sure that students have every opportunity to engage in both homework assignments, classroom work and projects I will send out a weekly email for each class except for Tech. I will send out a message on Tech as required. In this weekly message you will find the link directly to the website, attachments that include any paper copy assigned in class, due dates and any special instructions in regards to testing as required. This email will be sent to both parents and students and students will be responsible for reading the email and complying with all assignments and due dates. Failure to follow this procedure and failure to turn in your assignments will result in a failing grade. Your grade is in your control. You will be given the grade you earn.
I will no longer answer questions in regards to did I receive this assignment or that assignment. Students and parents can tell if I have received it by checking FOCUS. All parents and students have been encouraged to receive access to FOCUS accounts and if you wish to follow your grades this is the method to do so. I will place if the assignment is in progress, overdue or if student never turned it in. After the student has failed to turn in the assignment after 3 days unless there is an authorized absence I will not consider extending the deadlines.
I am being very strict on these procedures because some students have chosen not to do their part in complying with this policy and simply choose to ignore it. This is unfair to the students who are diligent, prepared and work hard. Once I place that zero in the grade slot I will not accept the assignment (except as stipulated by authorized absence). Completing assignments is an important part of learning and is essential to the students success or failure.
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday break. Students will be returning to school on Tuesday 07 Jan 2014 and we will hit the ground running when we return to school.
I need to stress a few issues to clear up any discrepancies or misunderstanding that might exist in my classroom procedures. I am and always will be a firm believer in the students being accountable for their learning. Not only is this my policy but it is the policy of Newpoint Academy. I have in the past 2 9 week grading periods provided students with multiple ways of obtaining information and receiving their assignments. This will continue. I provide it on our class websites, I provide it in class orally and in written form (the board). Let me stress at this point if the student is not paying attention and being diligent in their assignments I will not listen to excuses or accept late assignments. Students have been told repeatedly to go to the website some are choosing simply to not do so and this is not acceptable. Some students will be receiving lower grades then they might have expected to get on their report card simply because they did not turn in assignments. It is my responsibility to make sure they have clear instructions on their assignments, are clear on the deadline dates, receive assistance if they require it (they need to ask the questions if they are confused on an issue) and provide sufficient classroom instruction for them to complete their assignments. The student's responsibility is to make sure that they do the assignments, turn it in on time and pay attention in class.
During this 9 week period and the final 9 weeks I will adhere strictly to not accepting any assignment past the policy limits I have set in the past and I will not accept last minute assignments any longer because this has been taken advantage of. The late policy is as follows:
1 day late the student will receive a deduction of 10%,
2 days late the student will receive a deduction of 20%
3 days late the student will receive a deduction of 30%
anything later than 3 days will not be accepted. The only exception to this is if a student has an authorized absence I will then prorate the time 1 day for each day authorized. Simply not coming to school or getting checked out to miss an assignment due date will not be accepted.
This is a fair policy and a reasonable policy because students have had 18 weeks to become familiar with the routine. Claiming ignorance or that they do not know how to do this will not be listened to from this point forward because I have given each student in all my classes multiple training sessions on how to do this and some simply refuse to comply. What is unfair is that some students that are conscientious and do all their work, turn it in on time and comply with the rules have to lose time from their learning because I have in the past allowed those who have fallen behind to catch up. I will not do this anymore it is the student's responsibility to stay caught up and to ask questions if they have anything they are unsure of.
In an attempt to make sure that students have every opportunity to engage in both homework assignments, classroom work and projects I will send out a weekly email for each class except for Tech. I will send out a message on Tech as required. In this weekly message you will find the link directly to the website, attachments that include any paper copy assigned in class, due dates and any special instructions in regards to testing as required. This email will be sent to both parents and students and students will be responsible for reading the email and complying with all assignments and due dates. Failure to follow this procedure and failure to turn in your assignments will result in a failing grade. Your grade is in your control. You will be given the grade you earn.
I will no longer answer questions in regards to did I receive this assignment or that assignment. Students and parents can tell if I have received it by checking FOCUS. All parents and students have been encouraged to receive access to FOCUS accounts and if you wish to follow your grades this is the method to do so. I will place if the assignment is in progress, overdue or if student never turned it in. After the student has failed to turn in the assignment after 3 days unless there is an authorized absence I will not consider extending the deadlines.
I am being very strict on these procedures because some students have chosen not to do their part in complying with this policy and simply choose to ignore it. This is unfair to the students who are diligent, prepared and work hard. Once I place that zero in the grade slot I will not accept the assignment (except as stipulated by authorized absence). Completing assignments is an important part of learning and is essential to the students success or failure.