Attendance:

You are expected to be in school and attend all classes on all school days. I place special emphasis upon the presence in class of all students. I do so not for punitive reasons but because I believe the full advantages of both a class and ultimately the school community as a whole can only be realized in the presence of all of its members. Furthermore, much of the work will be highly student directed in nature. Hence regular attendance and active participation in class activities are absolute essentials! Each student must be able to practice the following with regularity in order to succeed: (1) punctuality, (2) preparation and (3) follow-through, It is class policy, therefore, to allow no more than five unexcused agbsences in any academic quarter. If you are absent from class for any reason, it is your responsibility to furnish your teacher with written documentation from either your parents or physician indicating both the reason(s) and date(s) of your absence in order for it to be considered excused. If you do not, your absence(s) will be counted as cut(s) and no make-up work will be assigned. It is also your responsibility to meet with your teacher to keep abreast of any assignments missed.

Conduct:

I strive to be an open, and trusting teacher dedicated to the pursuit of kno wledge and truth.  All of my teaching is dedicated to thatend from within the classroom and without.  Just as I expect you to assume much of the responsibility for your own education, I also expect you to assume responsibility for behavior consistent with the needs of others and that of the learning community.  I assume that you are capable of judging the appropriateness of various actions; I seek to develop a responsible use of freedom.  When behavior inconsistent with my rules and standards does occur, my response will include but will not be limited to the following ways which I hope will prevent recurrence: counseling, phone calls home, parent-teacher conferences and administrative intervention.  I will make every effort to be as fair and as even-handed as possible while also recognizing my obligation to respond to each person as an individual.

Honesty:

In all the years I spent as a student, nearly thirty in all, I strived to find the right words to place in the right order and at the right time.  Oftentimes, especially in the beginning, I was not successful.  Writers need many years of patience to learn the art and still more practice to refine their skills.  So do teachers.  The manifestations of our labor are actualized when and only when we propagate truth.  As, my teachers asked all of these things from me, I demand them from my students.  It is in this spirit by which my teachers placed their faith in me and by which I justify mine in you.  My success as a scholar, teacher and citizen depends upon it.  So will yours.


Classroom Norms:

1. Come on time, prepared and ready to do your best to remain on-task at all times.
2. No food or drink in the classroom is permitted.
3. No personal electronic devices are permitted (and are subject to confiscation per district policy).