Rules & Procedures

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.
Keeping your cell phone turned off and put away in a book bag.
Note: If it goes off in class or the teacher sees it? It goes to the office!

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:

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.

via GIPHY

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 homework counting as 50% and tests/quizzes the other 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.

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!
AND
Good participation - Participate in ALL class discussions and activities by sharing ideas and asking questions.
AND
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 MRSTOMM.COM for a list of activities and assignments for each day along with links to other resources,
AND
Go to GOOGLE CLASSROOM for your Handy Dandy Science Notebook (HDSN), assignments, copies of class notes, and other resources

NOTE: You may also need to visit the Science Spot Kid Zone website or the HJHS Student Zone. for other resources to help you complete assignments.

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 the assignment is completed (in full), submitted on Google Classroom, and you e-mail the teacher by 2:00 PM the day after it was due.
After school detentions (15 min for each assignment) will be required to earn credit for any other late work.

Make-up Work:

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.
If you have been absent, you need to go to check the DAILY AGENDA and GOOGLE CLASSROOM to see what you missed.
It is YOUR responsibility to complete all make-up work in the time allowed and e-mail the teacher when you are done.

via GIPHY

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.

Click the image to learn more about my pass procedures!

Other Procedures/Policies

Excuse Cards

If you need to borrow a pair of earbuds, need a charger for your laptop, or need to borrow other materials, you will have to fill out an excuse card. You will also earn an excuse card if you forget to submit a pass slip.
Every 5 excuse cards earns you an after-school detention. 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).

Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy

Your personal electronic devices – phones, tablets, watches, etc. – should be OFF during class time and IN A BAG – not 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.

You will need to see the principal AT THE END OF THE DAY to get your device back. (Other offenses will require your parents to get the phone or losing the privilege to bring your phone to school!)

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.

Minion Challenge (1st Semester)

Each class starts with 25 minions each week. At the end of each week, the # of minions left and any bonus minions your class earned will be added to your class score to earn rewards!
Your class will LOSE minions for not following the class rules. Some examples are: not being prepared for class, missing or late assignments, wasting class time, being too loud or off task with non-class chatter, and being disrespectful.
Your class will EARN minions for 100% homework completion, outstanding behavior, and A grades on tests.

NOTE: Points reset to zero at the end of the semester.

Fun Friday Challenge (2nd Semester)

Each class will enjoy a "Fun Friday" every three weeks. The rewards each class will enjoy will depending on the # of points remaining on the class chart after three weeks.
Each class will start with 12 points for a 3-week period.
Points will be deducted for poor behavior and effort, while points can be earned back for good behavior and effort!

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 top two drawers of the black filing cabinet. You'll also find earbuds* and excuse cards on the sides of the cabinet.
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.
Charging Station - Check out the computer table by the bulletin boards for extra chargers. Remember, you have to use a pass slip or excuse card if you need to borrow* one from me.
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.