Mrs. Heather Mendonsa
hmendonsa@legacyprep.org
7th Grade Science Course Disclosure
If you would like additional help or to schedule a meeting, please make an appointment via email 48 business
hours ahead of time.
LAB FEE: $10
Course Description: This is an Integrated Science course. Students will improve their technical writing and
reading skills as they conduct inquiry-based science experiments and activities. They will observe, inquire,
question, formulate and test hypotheses, analyze data, report, and evaluate findings.
Student Behavior: Students are expected to treat themselves, their classmates, their classroom, and their
teacher with respect at all times. Horseplay is not permitted. If students take responsibility for their actions
and follow the directions they will be successful in class.
Class Participation: Participation points will be given for students who come to class on time and are
prepared to learn. Participation includes working in pairs and/or groups, participating in discussions, and
meeting the expectations for lab behavior. Class participation is part of the grade.
Materials Needed: The materials below are required EVERY DAY.
1. Writing Utensil – Pencils are required. Hand-held pencil sharpeners are also recommended.
2. Paper – Any type of paper is accepted as long as it is standard 8 ½ X 11 size.
3. 3-ring Binder – Students are expected to have a 3-ring binder to keep all labs, notes, and assignments
in. They will need the papers until the end of the year. Students will receive a grade on their notebook
and the papers therein.
4. Calculator – If possible, a cheap dollar store calculator would be beneficial to your student. They can
use their math calculator, as well.
5. Composition Notebook – This will be used for their interactive notebook. It needs to be the wide rule.
6. A good attitude – Science is fun! Students who desire to learn about our world and how things work
are going to LOVE science class. Attitude is everything.
Course Work: We have a variety of assignments throughout the school year. Each is weighted equally.
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Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes may be given throughout units and tests at the end of each unit
Participation: Participation in group discussions, labs, and following directions
Bell Work: This is completed at the beginning of class each day.
Class assignments (including interactive notebook)
Interactive Notebook
Grades: Term grades are based on the percentage of points earned in each ofA the categories. Students can
keep track of their grades on One Point. They need to notify me at once if a grade is recorded incorrectly.
Students are assigned a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%
Citizenship: Students will receive a citizenship grade at the end of every term. Preparedness, school service,
and extra effort will increase citizenship grades. Tardies, unexcused absences, misbehavior, safety violations,
missing assignments, and coming to class unprepared will result in a lower citizenship grade.
Course Expectations:
1. Late Work: LPA Jr. High has issued a 10 day “grace period” for late work where students are marked down
10% of points earned. If the assignment is not turned in after the grace period, there is a 30% penalty to the
earned points on that assignment. Work will be accepted until one week after the final test for each unit.
2. Make-Up Work: In the case of excused absences the students will have one week to turn in their
assignment from the day they were absent. If assignments are not turned in within the allotted time the
assignment will be considered late. All make up work needs to say “absent” at the top or it will be graded as
late work. If you miss a lab you may receive an alternate assignment with an adjusted due date.
3. Cheating: Cheating is not tolerated. If a student is found cheating they will call home and explain what
happened. A consequence is decided upon by the student, teacher, and parent/guardian. Plagiarism is a form
of cheating.
4. Lab Safety: Safety during labs is vital, and any unsafe behavior is taken very seriously. If a student is
participating in unsafe behavior during a lab they will be removed from the lab immediately and will receive a
zero for that lab.
A. This grade can only be changed by handing in satisfactory essays on both the missed topic and on the lab
safety infraction. These papers must be handed in before the student may participate in further labs, and are
subject to late work penalties.
B. Students will receive a 25 point citizenship penalty for each lab infraction. They can earn these back by
teacher approved student service. They can earn up to 10 points per hour.
5. Tests and Quizzes: Test and quizzes may be retaken once for a higher grade. The highest grade will be
recorded, but retakes must be taken on the student’s own time and not during class.
6. Communication: I will send home any class or administrative announcements via email. It is also your
responsibility to make sure the office has the correct email information in One Point. I also update my
webpage weekly (Fridays) and post the class work there for students who are absent or need new copies.
Please check it regularly and email me with any questions.
Science Disclosure
Heather Mendonsa
Please complete and return this paper. It is due by Monday, August 24, 2015
1. Does your child have access to a computer with internet access at home? Yes _____ No _____
2. What are his/her hobbies or interests?
3. Are there any important details I need to know about your student?
Please sign below to acknowledge that you have read and understand the class policies and
expectations, you agree to provide the course materials as listed, pay the course fees mentioned above
and confirm that the correct email addresses for guardians is on One Point.
Student’s Name: (Please print legibly) ____________________________________________________
Student’s Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Guardian’s Name: (Please print legibly) ___________________________________________________
Guardian’s Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ____________________
Guardian’s Name: (Please print legibly) ___________________________________________________
Guardian’s Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ____________________