Ms. Ross’s
Biology Student Class Expectations
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Hello! I am Ms. Ross, and I am delighted to be your child’s Biology teacher at the DeSoto High
School in the Freshman Suite for the 2015-2016 school year. I look forward to having a positive and
successful year together. I believe an open line of communication between teachers,
parents/guardians and students ensures student achievement and learning. I urge you to contact me if
you have any comments, questions or concerns. Included in this letter is a list of required supplies,
classroom expectations and grading policies. You will also receive a copy of the laboratory safety rules
and a laboratory safety contract you and your child will need to sign and return so we can have safe,
successful and enjoyable labs! I have reviewed this information with your child during class. Please
print the acknowledgment form on the last page and have your child return it to me by the next class
period as returning it will be a daily grade for your child. Please have all class supplies as soon as
possible. We will be using composition notebooks at our second class.
Please Contact
Ms. Ross:
Dawn.Ross@desotoisd.org
Please put your child’s name and period
number in the subject line.
If you don’t receive a reply from me within 24
hrs then you know I didn’t receive your e-mail!
You can contact me either by calling the Freshman Wing at
972-274-1818 x232 and leave a message for me, or e-mail at
Dawn.Ross@desotoisd.org if you have any questions,
comments, or concerns. You can also make an appointment to
see me during my 8th period conference time on B days. I
often have meetings to attend at my conference time so
please confirm all appointment times with me via e-mail or
phone.
*Journals and notebooks*
Students must use & maintain a bound composition notebook and a 3-ring binder in biology (the
3-ring binder can be shared with other subjects). The composition notebook is where students will put
their quick notes & lab observations. The 3-ring binder will be used for informative notes, diagrams,
and study material in general. Your student should bring home both their Bionotes (the composition
notebook) and the binder every night to study or to use to complete homework assignments. Students
are to bring both of these to class every day! These are an integral part of learning biology. Please
check the notebooks on a regular basis to check your child’s work and to help them study.
*On-line materials & Internet Access*
Our goal is for all of our students to be highly successful 21st century learners. This is to prepare
them for their college and careers. Our textbook, our class webpage as well as many of our homework
assignments will be on-line so each student must have access to the internet on a regular basis. If your
student does NOT have access, please contact me so we can see what we can do to help them. We also
have a biology class webpage that your student can show you how to access. You and your student can
keep track of what we will be doing in class and due dates. Check it often!
Biology
DeSoto High School -- Freshman Wing
Page 1 of 5
Biology
DeSoto High School -- Freshman Wing
Page 2 of 5
You can now access your child’s grades on online anytime day or night on our Parent Portal!
Please go to the district website at www.desotoisd.org then scroll down to the “Parents” tab on the left
and click on it. You will now be on the “Parent Portal” page. Look to the left in the “Quick Links” list
and you will see “Parent Portal/Student Information Systems (TEMS access) and click on that link. This
will take you to the “DeSoto ISD TEAMS Parent Self Serve Portals” page. Simply follow the instructions
if you need to set up a new account. If you are already an “old pro” at using the parent portal, please
go to the site and update your information.
Bring Your Own Device Policy
The district has a “Bring Your Own Device” policy. Please go to the district website to read the
policy. We will often use these devices for our in-class biology work. When we use the devices in class
I will specifically tell students to get their devices out and give them instructions on how they are to be
used. Please note and discuss with your student that if devices are out at any other time in class the
device will be taken up and sent to the office where you will need to come to school to pay to get the
device. We have a limited amount of class time to prepare for the state STAAR EOC test and to prepare
your student for college and beyond; students will not be allowed to waste precious time on anything
other than biology during class.
Tutoring Schedule
I tutor after school Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:55 to 3:30 pm. If I am on duty or
called to a meeting, I will have a sign on my door directing students to another biology teacher so they
will still be able to get help. According to school rules, the student must be in the tutor class by 3:00
pm or leave the school. Please make certain your child knows to go straight to tutoring on tutoring
days and doesn’t take a detour! All students are required to sign in and out at tutoring.
Grading Policy
All of us work for success for every student! It is very important that all
assignments are completed on time; that your student prepares for quizzes and
tests appropriately. The concepts in Biology are mastered to prepare your child
for the state exams and beyond. ALL work is due when the tardy bell rings for
that class on the due date. The following is district policy for late assignments:
All assignments for the week are due on Friday. No late work will be accepted.
Students that are absent will have 48 hours to complete anything missed
during that week.
The student’s overall grade is composed of:
Tests and projects
40%
Daily work (including class work & homework) & Quizzes
60%
Come to Goals Night!
Wed., Aug. 27, 2014
4 pm to 8 pm
In keeping with District policy, students have a minimum of three test grades each grading period which
may include a project. Projects will count for one or more test grades depending upon the complexity
of the assigned project.
Biology
DeSoto High School -- Freshman Wing
Page 3 of 5
Supplies
Students are required to bring these items to class everyday.

Composition notebook 80 page

One 1½ inch 3-ring binder with tabs and notebook paper (for science assignments and notes)

1 pencil/pen bag to keep materials in

Pencils and blue or black pens (no red or green, please)
Please bring these supplies to leave in the classroom (feel free to get these supplies later):

1 box latex gloves if your child is latex sensitive bring hypoallergenic gloves

1 pack of dry erase markers

1 pkg Glue sticks

1 box Kleenex
Thank you for helping
our students
succeed!
Biology
DeSoto High School -- Freshman Wing
Page 4 of 5
Print THIS PAGE ONLY, complete and return
PARENT AND STUDENT BIOLOGY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have read and agree to follow the above expectations and procedures for our classroom.
Student’s Name: __________________________________
Student’s signature: ________________________________
Parent’s signature: _________________________________
Please print, complete and
return by
our next class
It’s a grade!
Mother’s Name: ______________________________
Phone numbers: hm: ________________
cell: ________________
Email address: _____________________________
or
work: ________________
_____________________________
Father’s Name: _______________________________
Phone numbers: hm: ________________
cell: ________________
Email address: _____________________________
We have internet connection at home
YES
or
work: ________________
_____________________________
NO
Do you have a smart phone, tablet or other device you can use in class? If yes, which one(s)?
Initial here that you have read and understand the “Bring Your Own Device Policy” on page 2.
Parent Initials: ______________
Student Initials: ______________
Is there any information about your child you would like me to know?
Biology
DeSoto High School -- Freshman Wing
Page 5 of 5