Work is due when you enter the classroom, unless otherwise noted, and all work must have your full name, date, period, and appropriate assignment label/title. In general, all papers must be typed with appropriate MLA formatting.
Work must be submitted via Google Classroom when noted, otherwise turned in at the correct grade-level turn-in box before it will be graded. This may be done at school in cases of poor internet connectivity at home.
Late work will be marked down by 10%.
If it is marked as missing in Aeries, then that means you can still do the assignment, though it will be marked down the 10%.
If you are at school but not in this class such as an on-campus suspension or a mental health day, you are still responsible for the work ON THE SAME DAY (no extension time).
If you miss class, I expect that you will take responsibility by checking the class website for the daily agenda, for getting notes, setting up a time to make up missed quizzes, etc.
You will check the class website for what you missed BEFORE YOU COME TALK TO ME. Do not ask me, "what did I miss yesterday?" when there is this wonderful tool called the class website that you can check at any time.
If you set up an appointment to make up work and do not come or contact with me with a cancellation notice, then you will not receive another opportunity for make-up. Time is valuable, including mine.
Catastrophic events will be dealt with in a sensitive manner.
Extension time: You will be given the same number of days as your excused absences (1 day, means 1 extra day, and so on). You will not be marked down for late work if turned in within that extension period.
No extension time: Your work will be due upon your return to class.
Bottom line, poor planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part.
Grades are given based on a total points system that allows assignments to be weighted. Grades will be awarded on the percent of points possible using the following scale:
A 100%-90%
B 89.9-80%
C 79.9-70%
D 69.9-60%
10% = Participation (engaged daily with in-class discussions, unit letters home, etc.)
40% = Essays/Projects (traditional essays, debates, slide presentations, blog posts, etc.)
20% = Other Coursework (handouts, reading comprehension questions, etc.)
30% = Quizzes/Tests (quizzes and tests)
A student with a letter grade of “A” typically strives for the following:
Keeps their binder organized.
Does all assigned work.
Consistently comes prepared to class.
Learns facts and principles and applies them to new and unfamiliar situations.
Shows creativity, high ability, initiative and originality.
Works accurately (carefully edits, revises meaningfully and uses MLA conventions properly).
Participates in class activities in such a way as to help and encourage his/her classmates, consistently contributing to a safe and positive learning environment.
Essays, quizzes, tests, and projects are graded on quality. Your essays will be evaluated on how well they are written and the depth of insight and thought, not on the fact that it is "done." The purpose of exercises is to apply learning and activate critical thinking, not for the purpose of "busy work."
There will be no tolerance for cheating or plagiarism.
Plagiarism is “any intentional representation of another’s ideas, words, or work as one’s own." Plagiarism includes the misuse of published materials, electronic material, and/or the work of other students. The original writer who intentionally shares his/her paper for another to copy, without permission of the teacher, is also engaged in plagiarism.
If any student is in violation of the Academic Honesty policy, one or more of the following consequences may occur:
Loss of credit for the assignment or test with no makeup permitted.
Placement on probation for the remainder of the class.
Referral to the principal and parent/guardian will be contacted.
Suspension.
Removal from all leadership/extra-curricular (including sports) positions for the remainder of the school year.
Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in a loss of all credit for the assignment or test. An alternative assignment must be completed to make-up credit.
There will be some opportunities for extra credit, but do not rely on these to "make grade" as there will not be enough extra credit assignments to move a grade significantly enough.
Cell phones and personal devices should be kept silent and invisible. If cell phones are seen used during classroom time, consequences for violation of this policy (as signed in the student handbook):
1st Offense – electronic device confiscated for remainder of day – parent notified, incident logged.
2nd Offense – electronic device confiscated for remainder of day – parent notified, incident logged. A parent must pick up the cell phone after school and will review the cell phone policy.
3rd Offense – electronic device confiscated for remainder of day – parent notified, incident logged. The student will be required to turn in their cell phone upon arrival at school for the next three school days.
4th Offense – electronic device confiscated for remainder of day – parent notified, incident logged. The student will be prohibited from having a cell phone at school for the remainder of the school year.
You will need a dedicated binder for this class. Keep materials as they may come up on long-term assignments.
No hoods or headphones.
Please bring your water bottles.
No backpacks in English class. My classroom is very small and just does not have the space; backpacks become a walking hazard. You can leave your backpack in your locker or at the classroom door in the library. Bring only what you need: binder, pencil, novel, water bottle.
The teacher dismisses you, not the bell. Please do not start gathering your things until class is over, as directed by the teacher.
Bathroom time is for between classes, not during class. If you did not plan properly and either forgot something in your locker or need to go to the bathroom during class time, you must take the hall pass and add your name to the weekly tracking sheet by the door. If you need more than one hall pass a week, you will be docked 5 participation points.
Here are a couple of last reminders for students and parents on communicating with me and the school:
Aeries Portal: View grades and grade comments
Google Classroom: View and turn in assignments
Email: jtucker@mvusd.us
Phone: HHS at (530) 628-5261.
Quick tip: This website is easy to get to by typing the URL (works on cell phones too!) english9.mvusd.us
If you are having any difficulties with ANYTHING in class, please communicate with me before you feel like you're drowning. We can set up video calls, discuss during in-school days, set up parent/student/teacher conferences, and so on. It is my goal to help you succeed wherever life may take you beyond Hayfork High. So let's do this together.