Ms. De Santis’ Contract

2007-2008

 

Dear Students and Parents:

 

Welcome to the 2007-2008 School Year at JCHS!  In order to ensure that your math class this year is as fulfilling and successful as possible, the  rules, consequences, and rewards found within this contract are necessary.  Responsibility on the part of the student is key.  Please read through the following and sign the bottom.  I require only one copy with both student and parent signatures.  One copy of this should remain at home, and another in the front of the student’s notebook.  Remember, the goal of this contract is to maintain an effective, structured, consistent, supportive, and safe classroom environment for all of us!

 

Classroom Rules

 

1.                  Have all appropriate materials and supplies at your assigned seat and be seated when the bell rings.

2.                  Respect the people, equipment, and furnishings of our classroom.

3.                  Use appropriate language and volume at all times.  No swearing.

4.                  Raise your hand.

a.       If you would like to ask or answer a question pertaining to class, raise your hand with a 1.

b.      If you would like to leave the room to use the bathroom or get a drink of water, raise your hand with a 2.

c.       If you would need help with the material, raise your hand with a 3.

5.                  Be on time.

6.                  Observe all rules in the student handbook.

 

If You Choose to Break a Rule

 

First Time:                    Name on board***.  Warning

 

Second Time:               One check.  15 minutes after school detention on Thursday.

 

Third Time:                   Two checks.  30 minutes after school detention on Thursday.

 

Fourth Time:                 Three checks. 45 minutes after school detention on Thursday,    parents contacted.

 

Fifth Time:                    Four Checks.  60 minutes after school detention on Thursday,                           referral written, and student sent to the office.

 

Severe disruption:         Student sent immediately to the office.

***Please note that your name will remain on the board for one week since it was originally written.  The name will be removed at the end of that week if behavior is improved.***

 

Rewards

 

Praise (daily)

Positive notes or calls home (random)

Whole-class free time (weekly)

Movie and popcorn party for the class (every 9 weeks)

Various other positive perks (throughout the school year)

The joy of learning (each and every day of the school year)

 

Absences and Cuts

 

If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to make up the work.  Please see me before or after school to find out what you missed.  You can also call the homework hotline, check my website, or as a friend in class.  You will have 3 class days to make up any test or quiz that you missed the day you were absent.  If you do not make up the test or quiz in those 3 days, you will receive a zero.  If you are out of class for an extended period of time, please see me before or after school for a plan to make up your work.

 

If you are more than 10 minutes late to class, you will receive a referral and a cut will be registered for that class.  For any class that has a registered cut, you will receive a zero for any and all assignments given and checked that day.

 

Procedures

 

Each day when you enter class:

1.                  Enter the room in a respectful way.

2.                  Take a Do Now before you sit down.

3.                  Have your homework out on your desk so that I can check it.

 

Required Materials

 

Each day when you come to class you are required to have the following:

1.                  A 3-ring binder filled with white lined paper and graph paper with divisions for Notes, Homework, and Review.

2.                  Pencils with erasers.  There will be NO use of pen in this class.

3.                  A Graphing Calculator (TI-84 recommended).

4.                  Your covered textbook.

5.                  Your homework planner.

 

All of the materials listed above are recommended for your success in this class!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading

 

In this class you will be graded on a points system:

 

Do Now’s:                               2 points

Do Now’s will be collected randomly, in order to receive full credit, all problems must be attempted and correct.  If problems are attempted but not correct, a 1 will be awarded.  If problems are not attempted, a 0 will be awarded.

Homework:                             4 points

Homework will be assigned daily as a chance to practice and enhance the skills worked on in class.  In order to receive full credit, all problems must be attempted.  Points will lower to 3, 2, 1, or 0 depending on amount attempted.  Homework that is 1 day late can be awarded a maximum of 2 points.  Homework that is more than 1 day late will be awarded a 0.

Mini Quizzes:                           15 points

Quizzes:                                   25 points

Tests:                                       100 points

All of the above assessments will be graded with partial credit in mind.  On most assessments, a typical question will count for a maximum of 5 points if all work is shown and the answer is correct.

Projects:                                 50-100 points

Projects will be given during specific units where a real-world application can be shown.  Projects are graded as much on correctness as they are on presentation of the material.

Alternative Assessments:        points will vary

Alternative assessments will be given throughout the year as a chance to show your understanding of the material without a typical quiz or test.

Extra Credit:                          points will vary

There are many ways to receive extra credit in my class.  All extra credit points will be added onto your total possible points for the marking period, not your average.  Most of these options are available on my website.  Check it regularly to see how to get some extra points!

 

To calculate your grade, I simply add up all of your points, divide by the total possible points and then multiply by 100.

 

Cheating

 

Any students caught cheating will have their grade divided in half.  Any student caught plagiarizing or copying from ANY source will receive a zero for the given assignment.  There will be no chance to make up the assignment for a better grade. 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Help

 

If you are having difficulty in my class, check out these options for extra help:

1.                  Come after school to see me (check my website for help hours and location)

2.                  Go to guidance to set up a peer tutor.

3.                  Work with a friend from class.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via phone or email as listed below:

 

JCHS:  973.228.6981

Voicemail Extention: 4655

Homework Hotline: 4855

Email: pdesantis@cwcboe.org

Website: www.cwcboe.org/jchs/teachers/pdesantis

 

Looking forward to a great year!

 

Thank you!

Ms. De Santis

 

 

STUDENTS:  I have read this contract and understand it.  I will honor it while in        Ms. De Santis’ class.

 

Printed name: ______________________________________

 

Signature: _________________________________________          Date: _____________

 

PARENTS: My child has discussed the classroom contract with me.  I understand it and will support it.

 

Printed name: _____________________________________

 

Signature: ________________________________________            Date: _____________

 

TEACHER: I will be fair and consistent in administering the discipline plan for my classroom.

 

Printed name: ____________________________________

 

Signature: _______________________________________