Dear Rhodes Families and Students,
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year of 8th grade Science at Rhodes Junior High School. I am looking
forward to getting to know you and your student this year. I wanted to take this opportunity to share
some information about my class and encourage you to communicate with me.
I am committed to helping every student learn in my class. I believe it is important for families and
schools to work together and share responsibility for student success.
During the Fall term, Callie Cozier, a Teacher Candidate, will be co-teaching with me. She is working
toward a Master’s in Education and teaching certificate from Arizona State University. I will also have a
Student Teacher in the Spring.
In this syllabus, I will share the expectations for the class, so that we can work together to support your
student’s success.
Educationally yours,
Emily Carrasco
480.472.2369
ejcarrasco@mpsaz.org
CURRICULUM
This is a science course designed for students who want the challenge of developing and refining
scientific skills and methods that are prerequisites for success in ninth grade science. These skills include
experimental design, working appropriately with the tools of science, and data analysis through
mathematical processes and graphing. Topics studied include animal and plant diversity, heredity, force
and motion, and the atomic molecular theory of matter.
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
Scientists record all of their work in a notebook daily. Thus, Science students will keep a composition
notebook (called the Interactive Science Notebook or ISN), with all of their work.
In the notebook, students will record Cornell notes, keep articles, write lab reports, draw pictures, etc. If
you would like to see what your student is working on in class, the ISN will be your primary tool.
To ensure consistent participation, the ISN will be checked and graded regularly.
GRADES
Students earn grades based on a points system.
Grades are available for family and student access via the online Portal:
 Parent Portal: https://mymps.mpsaz.org/#parents
 Student Portal: https://mymps.mpsaz.org/#students
If you are unable to log on, please contact the 8th grade Counselor, Dr. Maria Ramirez, at 480-472-2288.
The Portal will be updated as assignments are graded, approximately once a week. Families and students
with concerns about grades should contact me immediately.
Extra credit is only available once a week via the Adult Input Page, on the inside back cover of the ISN.
The student will teach the adult something they learned recently in Science class, and the adult will write
what he/she learned and date and sign. Extra credit points will be awarded when the student shows the
teacher.
At the end of the grading period, a percentage is calculated from the points earned, and a grade will be
assigned based on this scale:
A = 89.5-100+%
B = 79.5-89.4%
C = 69.5-79.4%
D = 59.5-69.4%
F = <59.5%
LATE WORK AND ABSENCES
All assignments can be turned in, up until the end of each quarter. Late assignments will be given partial
credit. The student and teacher will determine an appropriate grade for late assignments, based on the
lateness of the work and its quality. Any student whose family would like to be part of the decisionmaking process about the scoring of late work can schedule a conversation or meeting with the teacher.
If a student is absent, there are three ways to obtain missing assignments:
 In the classroom, a folder is set up for each day of the week. Check the folder of the day absent.
 In the classroom, see the teacher’s ISN for an exemplar of what has been completed each day.
 On the teacher’s website, visit the calendar.
o SC08 students: http://www.mpsaz.org/rhodes/staff/ejcarrasco/sc08-calendar/
o SC20 students: http://www.mpsaz.org/rhodes/staff/ejcarrasco/calendar
On my Rhodes website, I will maintain a calendar that describes the day’s activities, as well as provides
copies of the day’s materials. The calendar can be accessed before school or after school in my classroom,
if students do not have computer access at home. If an activity cannot be completed by the student using
the calendar alone, the student should schedule time with the teacher to come in, before or after school.
At minimum, I will be at school 8:15 A.M.-4:15 P.M., and if I’m in my classroom, I can work with any
students who need help. I prefer students schedule a time with me, so I can plan to be available; students
may also knock on my door anytime, to see if I am available.
TESTING
Students will take several quizzes and one test per unit. 3-5 days’ notice will be given for quizzes and
tests. Students should study the material in their ISN to review. Assessments will be completed
individually, with no additional resources, unless designated for Special Education students in his/her
Individualized Education Plan. Families who wish to receive notice of upcoming quizzes and tests should
sign up for one or both Family Communication methods, detailed in the next section of this syllabus.
FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Students’ families can receive text message reminders from the teacher, regarding classwork and
assessments.
To subscribe on your cell phone:
1. Enter this number: 81010
2. If your student is in SC08, text this message: @ecarrasco
If your student is in SC20, text this message: @rjhscience
3. Send the message.
4. Follow any prompts that are texted back to you.
Families can also receive regular e-mail blasts, which include information about upcoming
tests, assignments, etc. Please write your e-mail addresses on the signature page to receive my
e-mails.
MATERIALS
Students must have materials ready for class on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.
1. Pencils
2. Two composition notebooks without spirals (1 for 1st semester, 1 for 2nd semester)
While all necessary ISN materials will be available for all students to use in class, your student will be at
an advantage if he/she has his/her own:
1. Glue sticks OR small rolls of Scotch tape OR a mini-stapler with staples
2. Colored pencils, crayons, or markers (No Sharpies)
3. Highlighters
All listed materials are available at the Rhodes Bookstore. If families choose to buy supplies elsewhere,
that’s fine. For families who are unable to buy supplies at this time, please call or e-mail me, so I can
provide them.
If families would like to donate supplies for classroom use, donations of the above supplies are always
appreciated, in addition to Ziploc bags.
ONE RULE
Rhodes’ 3 B’s are Be respectful, Be responsible, and Be safe. Specific school expectations are located in
the POP Matrix, which the students were given on the first day of school. Positive and negative
consequences will be administered per Rhodes’ POP discipline program.
In my classroom, I have one rule:
You can do anything you want to do so long as it doesn’t bother anyone or interfere with the class.
FAMILY AND STUDENT SIGNATURE PAGE
This page due on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.
Family and student signatures below indicate they accept the policies of Mrs. Carrasco’s 8th grade Science
class.
We are coming to Open House (Thursday, August 27, 6:00-8:00 P.M.). Yes ___ No ___ Not sure yet ___
Student name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Student signature ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian name _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian phone number(s)________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature _________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian e-mail(s) – home, work, etc.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please complete these questions, so I may best help your child (use the back or attach paper, if
needed):
1. Does your student have special needs/hearing or sight concerns/medical issues/allergies, of
which I should be aware?
2. Does your student need special seating in the classroom?
3. Is there anything else that you would like for me to know about your family or your student?