Classroom Rules & Procedures
Updated: 8/4/2020
​What is Mrs. Tomm's most important rule?  
SMART CHOICES include:
  • Being prepared for class each day.
    • Be on time for class (or online sessions).
    • Have your laptop (charged) and other materials you need.
    • Do ALL of your class work on time to the best of your abilities.
  • Using class time wisely (all of it - from the first minute to the last!) 
  • Participating in class discussions and activities.
  • Raising your hand for permission to speak (or to leave your seat in the classroom)
  • Treating others with respect.
    • Show positive attitudes & actions towards everyone.
    • Hands off other people's property/belongings - keep your hands/feet to yourself.
    • Don't gossip about other students and teachers.
    • Don't disrupt class and make it difficult for others to learn or hard for me to teach.  
NOT-SO-SMART Choices include:
  • Cheating by copying answers from another student or using other online resources during quizzes/tests.
  • Putting up your materials and waiting for the bell to ring.
  • Not having your laptop charged for the day.
  • Borrowing materials without asking (or hiding them).
  • Calling other students names or talking about them when they are not in the class.  
  • Keeping your cell phone on the table or in a pocket/hoody.
  • Listening to music, watching videos, or playing games when you should be working on class work.
  • Walking around the room to chat with a friend.
  • Messing with another student's stuff, such as pushing buttons on their laptop.
  • Making it hard for other students to stay focused and able to learn.
Consequences
​1st Time – Warning
2nd Time – 5 minutes at lunch with me
3rd Time – 10 minutes at lunch with me
More incidents … Call to parents or a note sent home and referrals to the principal.

What else do you need to know to be a Smart Minion? ​ 
​Click the Minion picture to find out!​​
Class Prompts:                                          
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If the teacher says “Class”, you are to respond with “Yes” and wait quietly for the teacher to continue. You should be looking at the teacher and not typing or looking at your computer screen.   NOTE:  If the class doesn't respond well, the teacher will repeat the process until she has your attention.
If the teacher asks "Got It", you should show the teacher a thumbs up, thumbs down, or somewhere in the middle to show her how well you understand a concept or topic.
Grading Procedures

Grading Scale - Grades will be based on the percentages listed below.            
  • 90-100 A         
  • 80-89 B         
  • 70-79 C         
  • 60-69 D         
  • Below 59 F    
​How are grades calculated? 
  • Grades are based on total points with all assignments worth 100 points.
  • Grades will be calculated with homework counting as 50% and quizzes/tests counting 50%. 
  • Grades are updated weekly and can be accessed at the ALMA website using the student login information provided on the first day of school. 
  • Remember - Zeroes are grade killers!  One zero can cancel out several great grades on assignments or tests.
​
NOTE: Grades will be rounded.  For example, 79.5% would be an 80% B-, while 79.4% would be a 79% C+.       ​
​How do you earn good grades in science?
  • Good attendance - Attend class every day so you don't miss what we do in class.  If you do miss class, be sure to get your make-up work done on time!
    Good participation - Participate in ALL class discussions and activities by sharing ideas and asking questions. 
  • ​Good effort - Do your best on everything- not just to get it done!

Where do you find your homework, quizzes, and tests for science?
  • Check the DAILY AGENDA on for a list of activities and assignments for each day, 
    AND
  • Go to the CLASSWORK tab on GOOGLE CLASSROOM for work to complete and turn in as well as other resources.

Late Work Policy
  • If you forget to turn in an assignment on time or just don’t do it at all, you  will receive a zero for that assignment.
  • You can receive 50% credit if you fill out an excuse card, complete the assignment (in full), submit on Google Classroom, and you e-mail the teacher by the start of your next science class.
  • You can earn full credit by serving an after school detentions (20 min for each assignment) for any late work.  You will need to complete the assignment and turn it in on Google Classroom.

Make-up Work: 
  • If you have been absent, you need to go to check the DAILY AGENDA and GOOGLE CLASSROOM to see what you missed.    
  • You will have 2 days for each day you were absent to make up the work assigned while you were gone. 
  • Any work that was due the day you were absent is due when you RETURN TO CLASS. You do not have extra days to turn in work that was due the day you were absent.
  • It is YOUR responsibility to complete all make-up work in the time allowed and e-mail the teacher when you are done.

​When should you see Mrs. Tomm for EXTRA HELP? 
  • You should ask questions during class  when you have time to work on assignments.
  • You may make arrangements to come in before school, after school, or during study hall time.
  • You should not wait until an assignment is due to ask for help.

​Corrections: 
  • No options for corrections will be available for note quizzes and tests as you should be have been prepared for the quiz/test.
  • Corrections may be allowed on homework assignment if sufficient effort has been shown on the first attempt, class notes and activities are completed, and I feel you deserve another chance to show me what you have learned.
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Click the image to learn more about my pass procedures!
Other Procedures/Policies
Excuse Cards 
  • If you have a late assignment (50% credit), are late to class without a pass, need to borrow a pair of earbuds (or other materials), or need to charge your laptop,  or forget to submit a pass slip, you will have to fill out an excuse card. 
  • Every 5 excuse cards earns you an after-school detention (30 min).  This does not reset at the end of the semester!​ ​
    ​
Bookbags/Backpacks
  • COVID Policy:  Students will be able to carry book bags to classes in order to have access to all their school materials (laptop and other supplies) as well as personal care items (extra masks, sanitizer, etc.)
  • Any bags/cases brought to class cannot be hung on your chair.  They may stay on the top of your table or stashed under the table - not in an area where people are walking - no old lady tripping hazards!​​
​Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
  • Your personal electronic devices – phones, tablets, watches, etc. – should be OFF during class time and IN A BAG – not in your pocket.  
  • If the teacher sees or hears the device, you will take it to the office. 
  • There may be times you will be allowed to use them, but only with permission.  Ask FIRST if you need to use your phone!
  • You will need to see the principal AT THE END OF THE DAY to get your device back. (Additional offenses will require your parents to get the phone and losing the privilege to bring your phone to school!)
  • NOTE:  Phones should only be used during lunch/recess.  You should not be on your phone in the hallways.
​School Laptop Policy
  • Remember, the laptops are provided for school-related use.  You should not use class time to message friends, play games, watch videos, listen to music, and do other activities not related to school. 
  • FAILING TO FOLLOW the computer rules (listed in the school handbook) will result in the loss of laptop privileges and you will have to COMPLETE ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENTS for online/technology projects.
  • If you have problems with your computer,
    • 1st - Check out Mrs. T's Tech Zone for video tutorials on Google Classroom and Apps. 
    • 2nd - Check out the HJHS Tech Zone for "How To" guides for using your Chromebook and the Chrome browser. 
    • 3rd - Let me know as soon as possible so we can get it fixed.

Food/Water Policy
  • You are allowed to have a water bottle (or other container) for water only.  Other beverages should be limited to lunch and not consumed in the classroom. 
  • Get a reward from another teacher?  Ask permission BEFORE you enjoy a beverage, snack, or candy.  
  • You are  allowed to chew gum during my class AS LONG AS it doesn't cause problems - chomping, bubbles popping, find it on the floor, under the tables/seats, or anywhere else it doesn’t belong.  
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MINION Challenge = Fun Fridays

​Each class will "cash in" their points to enjoy a "Fun Friday" every 3 weeks (on Science Starter quiz days.)  The rewards each class will enjoy will depend on the # of points remaining on the class chart after three weeks.  Each class will start with 12 minions for a 3-week period.
  • ​ 
Your class can EARN back points you may have lost by making smart choices!  Your class can also earn BONUS points for A's on tests, exceptional behavior, really smart choices, etc.

Your class will LOSE minions for not making smart choices. Some examples are wasting class time, being too loud or off task with non-class chatter, being disrespectful, and overall behavior problems that makes learning difficult.   
​
NOTE:  The three strikes will apply to homework completion, science starters, mask issues, etc.  Examples include:
Three people (or more) not completing/turning in an assignment on time will result in the loss of a point.
Three people (or more) not being to class on time will result in the loss of a point.
The third time I have to remind the class to wear masks properly will result in the loss of a point.
Other questions ...

​Where can you find these things?
  • Supply Zone - Look by the double windows for scissors, glue, colored pencils, staplers, tape, Pencil Pot, permanent markers, rulers, calculators, etc.   
  • Prize Zone - Candy and other prizes are in the cabinets by the teacher's desk.  You'll also find earbuds* and excuse cards in this area 
  • STEAM Zone - Look in the northeast corner (by the big white goggles cabinet) for STEAM-related kits and activities. These are available for use with your teacher's permission and must be santized after use.
  • Charging Station - Check out the area by the bulletin boards for charging your laptop.  Remember, you have to use a pass slip or excuse card charge your computer during class time.  
  • Generic Kleenex - Look behind the paper towel dispenser near the classroom door; hint: it is disguised as a roll of toilet paper.  If we have boxes of tissues, they will be in that area as well. 

COVID Policy:  Any supplies borrowed from the teacher must be sanitized after each use.  You should bring your own materials if possible to avoid having to use shared supplies.