August 18, 2015
Dear Parents/Guardians,
My name is Mrs. Judith Chabala and I will be your son’s A.P. Calculus BC
teacher. I would like to take a few minutes to acquaint you and your son with my
classroom procedures and grading policies. I believe strongly in communication. If there
is ever a question or concern, please feel free to e-mail me. My school e-mail address is
jchabala@catholiccentral.net. Some problems are better resolved by a conference with
you and your son. This is arranged in advance. Your son’s success in this class is
important to both you and me. Open lines of communication help insure this success.
Calculus BC is a comprehensive college level course in which the student has the
opportunity to earn up to 8 college credits, depending on his AP test score at the end of
the year as well as the particular requirements for the university he is planning on
attending. The Calculus BC test also has a Calculus AB subtest, so students who do not
score high enough to earn BC credit have the opportunity to earn AB credit (up to 4
college credits).
Class work
The textbook is on the IPad. All work done in this class is to be done in pencil on
loose leaf paper, or in a spiral notebook used for math only (not on the IPad). I will not
accept any math work done in pen. We will be using graphing calculators again this year.
Any calculator is acceptable on the AP test however I will not allow TI 89 or TI 92 in this
class. IPad calculators are not permitted on either the in-class tests, nor are they
permitted on the AP test.
Homework
Homework is assigned each night. If no written work is assigned, the student
should review previously covered concepts. This is an extremely intense class and
continual review of old concepts is necessary for success in this class and on the AP test
in the spring. It is expected that at least 1-2 hours outside of class be spent on homework
and review each night. While I do not collect homework often it is the student’s
responsibility to do it. Tests are usually based on problems similar to those in the
homework, so if he understands the homework he will do well on the tests. Each
homework assignment collected is worth 5 points. Since homework is the student’s first
attempt to practice a concept, he will receive full credit if the homework is complete
(teacher’s discretion), regardless of number right. If a student has attempted all the
problems, yet got them wrong, he will still receive full credit. It is up to him to find out
where he went wrong. If the homework is not complete (teacher’s discretion), has not
shown algebraic logic for problems, or is missing he will receive no points. Late
assignments will not be accepted for any reason.
Quizzes and Tests
I give several unannounced quizzes each quarter. They will usually cover the
material learned the day before. If the student does his homework he should do well on
the quizzes. There are no make-up quizzes.
Tests are given about every six class periods and are cumulative from the
beginning of the year. Tests are announced at least two days in advance. Since tests are
announced well in advance, the student has ample time to find out what material has been
missed due to absence. The lowest test score will be dropped each quarter. If a student
misses a test, it will be his dropped score. Usually about 15-20% of the test covers new
material learned that week. The remainder of the test covers concepts learned up to this
point. Since there is only a small percentage of new material on each test, if a student is in
class on the day of a test he will be required to take it with the rest of the class.
Absence
If a student misses a class period, for whatever reason, it is up to the student to
find out what notes and homework were assigned. This is to be obtained from another
student prior to coming to class. Any absence affects a student’s grade, so it is important
that when an absence is necessary he gets the class notes from another student so he
doesn’t fall behind. This is an intense course. The pace of the course makes it difficult to
make up missed assignments.
Grading
Quarter grades are based on the total number of points acquired on homework,
quizzes and tests. The grading scale is described in the Handbook. Your son will receive
all papers, tests, etc. as soon as they are graded (usually within two days), so he will be
able to approximate his grade before the report card comes. Ask him periodically
throughout the quarter what his grade is. His grades are also posted on Net Shamrock so
you can access them if he is unavailable.
I am at school in my classroom early each morning to help students with any
questions on homework. Your son is aware of this. It is up to him to seek help as soon as
possible. Since any math class is cumulative, unresolved problems compound themselves
through the year.
If there are any questions or concerns, please e-mail me. I will be happy to speak
with you to clarify anything. I look forward to working with your son this year.
Yours in education,
Mrs. Judith Chabala