Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
University High School
Mr. Ryan Hilton
Room: 4-309
Email: rhilton@volusia.k12.fl.us
www.uhstitans.com/hilton-ryan
Office Hours
First 30 minutes of lunch – Closed Tuesdays and occasionally Monday – By appointment any other day/time
Course Materials
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Text Book –Physics - Pearson 7th Edition
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Pen and Pencil
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Calculator: Students must have access to a scientific calculator with exponential and trigonometric functions
for home work. A graphing calculator is not necessary, but it may come in handy during labs. Students will
have access to a class set when in class.

Three-ring binder/folder with paper: All students will be required to keep all notes and homework organized
and presentable in a binder.

Quad-ruled composition or spiral notebook: Students are required to keep a record of all lab activities and
conclusions in dedicated lab notebook. This must be separate from notes and homework binder.

Also, a clear ruler, protractor and graph paper may be used in class/homework regularly.
If student forgets the necessary paper or pencils for class, these items may be borrowed from a neighbor/friend.
Performance Evaluation
Students will receive either an “A, B, C, D, or F” for a final grade. For individual assignments, the letter “M”
denotes that the assignment is missing. This means all other students work for that assignment have been graded
and entered into Pinnacle. I will be following the Volusia County Schools policy on make-up work and test retakes.
Late Work – Formative Assessments
 One Letter Grade (10%) – Worked submitted after the due date and up to the next test will receive a 10%
deduction. After this the assignment will be subject to a 50% loss and will be due at least 1 week before the
end of the grading period.
Summative Retakes
 Students will have until the next units test date to use their one (1) allowed test retake per grading quarter.
This is typically 1-3 weeks with an average of 3 tests per quarter. Use it wisely.
 Student must come in during tutoring time to develop and follow a remediation plan before the retake will
be given.
 Students displaying mastery (>70%) may not be allowed to retake that assignment. Anything beyond this is
at the teacher’s discretion.
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Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
According to Volusia County’s grading policy, grades will be assigned as follows:

Formative Assessments: These are in the form of skill development, homework, quizzes, labs and drafts
of special projects and will account for 40% of your total grade.

Summative Assessments: This consists of tests, final projects and presentations and will comprise 60% of
your total grade.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty, also known as cheating, will not be tolerated at all. Collaboration is encouraged; cheating is
not. If a student is caught cheating on any assignment, they will be written up on a referral and they will receive a
zero on the assignment. This applies to all homework, class work, tests, quizzes, labs, and projects.
Labs
We will be doing labs frequently in this class to reinforce concepts that we are learning. We will be doing, on
average, one lab type assignment a week. These will not always been complete labs with a full write up. In order to
help cover the cost of lab materials and consumables, I am asking for a $10 donation. This is by no means a
requirement. I will not punish any student who is not able to make a donation.
If you miss a lab, it may be made up during office hours, by appointment, or can be made up with a 2 page written
report on the basis of the lab. The paper needs to be approved ahead of time. If not made up, you will earn a zero for
the lab. Please try to schedule your doctors/dentists’ appointments for after school or on other days so you may be
successful in all lab activities.
Absence Policy
Daily student attendance is extremely important for the success in all courses.



You will have one school day per day absent to make up missed assignments of equal or greater rigor. It is
YOUR responsibility to obtain the assignments and have them done.
All lecture material, homework, and relevant material will be loaded to my website.
If you are absent during a test or quiz you have 10 school days to make it up. Be aware, the make-up test
may be completely different than the original test. Anything made up tests after the 10 days, that without a
valid excuse (e.g. doctor’s note), will not be accepted.
Classroom Expectations
In order to make sure we have a good learning environment, some rules need to be in place.
1.
Be respectful.
2.
Follow directions.
3.
Be on time.
4.
Be prepared.
5.
Follow UHS & VCS School Rules.
Electronics
Electronics are not to be out, per UHS policy. You are not allowed to charge your phones, iPods, etc during
class. You are to store your device in your backpack, purse, or pocket. If your device is out, you may be written
up on an electronics referral. Phones out during tests will be assumed as cheating. This will follow academic
dishonesty. I do not want to assume you are cheating.
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Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
Tardies
There is nothing more detrimental to a smooth running class than a tardy person. I will be following the UHS
tardy policy. The best way to avoid getting in trouble for tardies is not to be late. This is the UHS policy:

1st tardy: Warning

2nd Tardy: Parent contact

3rd & Subsequent Tardy: Referral
Passes
I understand that there are times when a student may need to leave class to go to the restroom. However, it can
be very disruptive and when you leave you miss out on important content instruction. To help maximize the
time, you will only be allowed to use the classroom pass a maximum of 3 times a 9 weeks. Following UHS
10/10 rule no passes are permitted to be used in the first 10 and last 10 minutes of class.
Remind – Text / Email Message Reminders
Remind (www.remind.com) is a free service I will be using throughout the year to send reminder texts/emails to
students and parents. The messages may be to remind the students of an upcoming test, homework, or projects. It’s
free to sign up and use. You can choose to get text messages or emails. When I send a Remind message the service
will send you a text to your phone or email to the address you signed up on. Data and message rates DO apply. I am
not responsible for any of these. It is a secure service. I am not in any way able to see the student or parent’s phone
number or email address. I only see the name of the person who signed up and in what class. Please only sign up for
the class you or your student is enrolled. You may cancel the messages at any time. Follow the directions the
message provides as soon as you sign up and receive confirmation.
Physics Honors
 phyhon15@mail.remind.com – email only
 Text @phyhon15 to 81010 or (703) 687-9199
Physics Regular
 phyreg15@mail.remind.com – email only
 Text @phyreg15 to 81010 or (703) 687-9199
AP Physics
 apphy15@mail.remind.com – for email only
 Text @apphy15 to 81010 Or (703) 687-9199
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Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
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Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
(Please turn these final 2 pages into Mr. Hilton)
I have read the entire contents of this syllabus and agree to comply with all of
its requirements.
PRINT STUDENT’S NAME_______________________________________________________________
PRINT STUDENT’S CLASS & PERIOD_____________________________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE:___________________________________________DATE:________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE:________________________________________DATE:________________
PG and PG-13 Permission Release
My child has permission to watch PG and PG-13 course content rated videos throughout the year. Rated R and NC17 will NEVER be shown. G rated material is already permitted by FL Department of Education.
This material will be course related and may consist of movies, clips, documentaries, and YouTube appropriate
content.
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _____________________________________ DATE: ________________
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Syllabus – AP Physics – R. Hilton
Student Laboratory Safety Contract
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