Team Taurus!
Welcome to Team Taurus for the 2010-2011 school year!
Your Teachers:
Science: Mrs. Van Tassell is now entering her 13th year of teaching. She began her career at
Blue Ridge Middle School and since then has taught at Herndon Middle School, Harper Park
Middle School and Harmony Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise
Physiology from West Virginia University and a Master's Degree in Special Education from
George Mason University. She is endorsed to teach Middle School Science Grades 6-8 as well
as students with Learning Disabilities PK-12.
English: Mrs. Banasik is entering her 12th year of teaching. She began her career at Blue Ridge
Middle School then moved to Harmony. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary
Education from Shepherd University and has completed classes to be endorsed to teach 6th, 7th,
and 8th grade English, Science, and History.
Civics: Ms. Hoppert is in her 27th year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Education from James Madison University and a Master of Science Degree in Education from
Shenandoah University. She has taught at Warren County Middle School, Farmwell Middle
School and Harmony Intermediate School. She is endorsed to teach Middle School English and
Social Studies grades 4-8, as well as students with Learning Disabilities or Emotional Handicaps
grades K-12.
Learning Resource Specialist: This is Mrs. Boyle's 14th year of teaching in Loudoun County
Schools. She attained a Bachelor's of Arts degree in psychology from St. Louis University and a
Master's degree in Special Education from George Mason University. She has previously taught
at both Harmony and Potomac Falls High School. She is endorsed to teach all middle and high
school core subjects as well as student with Learning Disabilities or Emotional Handicaps grades
K-12.
Team Vision: Team Taurus will be a cohesive community, embracing the diversity of the group,
demonstrating good citizenship, celebrating successes and supporting each other through the 8th grade
experience.
Guidelines/Procedures
Classroom Expectations:
1) Be Respectful:
 Respecting others’ ideas and abilities
 Respecting the property of others/classroom
 Speaking at appropriate times
 Raising hand
2) Be Positive:
Contributing to a positive learning environment by
 Sharing
 complimenting others
 contributing meaningful participation
 using positive comments
 following directions
3) Be Responsible and Accountable:
 Record and complete assignments on time
 Prepare for tests on time
 Organize materials
 Come to class on time
4) Students are expected to use the restroom and get drinks before coming to class. Leaving
the classroom will be allowed at the teacher’s discretion. Students must use the pass
section in their OWN agenda to be allowed out of the room as well.
Grading Policy:
Grades are based on summative assessments such as tests, quizzes, checkpoints, and projects. Formative
assessments, such as homework, are checked for completion and will not exceed more than 10% of the
final grade. Students will be given the opportunity to receive remediation and complete test corrections in
order to demonstrate an improved level of understanding as well as improve their test grades.
Retake policy:
Students who earn a C or below are expected to retake all tests and quizzes. For students
who earn a grade above a C, the policy is optional. The higher grade will be recorded with a
ceiling of 90%.
Students must undergo a personal plan of action that will yield better results which will
include any or all of the following:
 Item analysis/correction sheet
 Attend a tutoring session at teacher’s request
 No work can be re-done the last week of the quarter.
 Students must take retest prior to the next unit test.
Homework Policy: Homework is expected to be turned in on the day that it is due.
Half credit will be given for late work up until the unit test is given for that work.
Behavior policy:
All Taurus students are expected to be respectful, responsible and ready to learn.
Classroom discipline:
 First offense – Verbal warning
 Second offense – Teacher conference with student to discuss a plan of action to
replace inappropriate behaviors and parent contact/conference if necessary.
 Third offense - Referral to the dean.
Make-up policy/Absentee work:
 If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to make up his/her work.
 It will be up to the student to come and ask for information about the assignments
he/she has missed.
 Students have one day per each day that he/she is absent to make up his/her work
(as per Loudoun County Policy).
 If a student knows he/she is going to be absent, he/she needs to check with the
teacher in advance to obtain information he/she is going to miss. It is also the
student’s responsibility to show the make-up work to the teacher when it has been
completed.
 If a student misses a previously announced test, quiz, project or assignment,
he/she is expected to make it up during his/her resource block upon their return.
Teacher hours of availability:
Teachers are available during resource time. Extra help is available as needed by
appointment.
Contacts and Conferences:
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Academic, extracurricular and field trip information can be found on the Team Taurus website.
Teachers may be reached by phone or by e-mail at Harmony Intermediate School.
If a parent/guardian would like to set up conference, they may contact the counselor for the
Taurus team, Mr. Henry Thomas.