Teacher: Ms. Mandi Dishman (adishman@shelbyed.k12.al.us)
Course: Forensic Science
Classroom: Room 136
Fee: $30
Blog: http:// podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/adishman
Oak Mountain Mission Statement
The mission of Oak Mountain High School is to create an atmosphere of excellence where all
students are encouraged to achieve their academic, creative, and physical potential through
dynamic instructional methods, extracurricular experiences, and relationships among students,
staff, parents, and the community.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an elective science course for high school students. This course does not meet the
requirements for an advanced diploma. Course work is a mixture of lectures, lab experiments, group
or “team” activities, current events, and projects (inside and outside of class). Students will cover topics
including but not limited to: processing of crime scene evidence, trace evidence, firearms, skeletal
remains, decomposition, genetic material, toxicity of drugs, and use of laws of physics to explain forensic
evidence.
SUPPLIES
 3 ring binder with paper
 Pen or pencil
 Tab dividers
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Be prepared to learn upon entering the classroom.
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Have your book, notebook, and a pen/pencil EVERYDAY.
2. Respect yourself and others.
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Do not touch things that do not belong to you.
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Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.
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Do not say anything negative towards another classmate.
3. Leave the classroom clean.
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Always throw away trash before leaving.
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Do not write on the board without teacher’s permission.
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Always return markers, glue sticks, colored pencils, scissors, etc. to their
correct place before leaving.
4. Wait for the teacher to dismiss you – NOT the bell.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Unit tests and quizzes will comprise 60% of the student’s grade, while class-work, labs, homework
assignments, and projects will account for 40% of the student’s grade.
Assessment tools used to measure student progress/learning may include:
 Assignments (homework, in-class work, cooperative learning groups) - All class work and
homework is to be completed in the student’s notebook.
 Major tests (including 9 week Benchmark Assessments) - Test format will be a combination of
multiple choice, short answer, essay, and problem solving, and can be expected roughly every
two weeks.
 Quizzes (including bell ringers) - Quizzes will be given to check for understanding on material
between test dates.
 Project(s) (individual or group) - Time will be provided to start projects in class, however, some
work may be required outside of class as well.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY/PROCEDURES
**** The primary means of communication this year will be through my blog. See the blog
address at the top of the page. Students should look here for make-up assignments.
 Arrangements for make-up work are to be made within three days of returning to school, from an
excused absence, check the board calendar and make-up folder and copy missed assignments.
It is the student’s responsibility to ask for make-up assignments.
 Obtain missed handouts from Ms. Dishman. Extra handouts should be located in the hanging
folder next to the make-up calendar.
 Check with a classmate for missed bell ringer(s) or notes.
 Sign make-up calendar posted beside bulletin board binder, when you miss a major test** or quiz.
Make-up tests will not be given during the school day.
 Check Science Department Make-up Calendar for name of proctor and proctor’s room number.
 Science Department make-up tests are given on Tuesday afternoons from
2:50- 3:45 p.m. or Thursday mornings from 6:35-7:30 a.m.
**Major tests/quizzes are announced in advance. Therefore, if you have an excused absence and
miss a major test/quiz, you must make-up the test/quiz on the Tuesday or Thursday immediately
following the three days allotted for arranging make-up work.
DISCIPLINE
All policies and procedures stated in the 2008-2009 Shelby County Code of Conduct will be followed
*ESPECIALLY FOR MOMS & DADS:
Communication
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E-mail is the most efficient method for me.
Face to face meetings are scheduled through the school counseling center. {205-682-5200}
I will strive to maintain current postings of homework, test dates, & project timelines on the class
blog. {That’s the podcast address below.}
Extra Help
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I will be available Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:00 to 7:30 for students who need
some time outside of class. I will also be available other times if the student makes
arrangements.
All your student needs to do is ASK FOR HELP. I try to monitor during class as best I can, but I
cannot foresee the needs of every student in a classroom at the same time. Please encourage
your student not to wait until the day before or the day of the test to ask for help.
Request for Parents:
This year, I would like to gather some general information from you, such as contact
information and some questions regarding your student, electronically. This will allow me to
better get to know your student and your student’s needs in my class. I will also use your
completion of this form as acknowledgment that you and your student have read and
understand my syllabus. To complete this, please visit my blog,
http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/adishman, and click on the link in the post labeled “Students
and Parents 2011-2012.” The link will take you to a link with some questions for you to answer
and submit. Thank you for your effort in helping me jump into the digital world to better
organize and keep track of information!
I look forward to working with your and your student this year.
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a
lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." --Vincent T. Lombardi
Mandi Dishman
Forensic Science
Oak Mountain High School
Dear Parent/Guardian of Forensic Science Student,
I am extremely excited that your son/daughter has expressed an interest in Forensic Science. It is a very
intriguing course which covers aspects of biology, chemistry and physics as they pertain to criminal
investigations. Your child will gain some valuable insight into the scientific process and how it can be
used in the real world. However, due to the nature of the course, I would like to inform you of a few things
that your child will encounter as he/she participates in Forensic Science.
Although this class is not meant to place an emphasis on violent crime, some units will involve the
different aspects of violent crime, such as examining blood spatter to determine the angle and force of
impact and examining bullets to determine the firearm that shot them. No real human blood will be used
in the course.
Also, since this course deals with crimes, it also deals with death. Students may be subject to viewing
edited autopsy photos, to examine the effects of post-death processes, such as livor mortis and rigor
mortis. Discretion will be used when choosing these photos.
Finally, there will tentatively be a series of local law enforcement officials that we will be lucky enough to
have come speak to our class. During their presentations, these law enforcement officials may discuss
violent crimes, show photos of crime scenes and edited autopsy photos.
Please read this document carefully and sign below, showing that you understand some of the graphic
nature of this course. Please also include your email, so that I may more easily contact you. You can
always reach me at adishman@shelbyed.k12.al.us with any questions.
Regards,
Mandi Dishman
Student Name:________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name:_________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email:____________________________________