Collins Hill High School
Ms. Shelley Churchill-Boggs
2013-2014 School Year
Room 3.115
Classroom Procedures
1. Homework is a very important part of the learning process for mathematics. Students will be given
assignments to be completed the majority of days.
2. Students are encouraged to use calculators (TI-83 or 84 suggested) for most classwork, homework, and
evaluations. Since most students will want to use a graphing calculator on additional tests (ie. PSAT, AP,
etc.) a personal graphing calculator should be purchased. If this is impossible students may rent calculators
from CHHS. Be sure to do this early in the semester so that there will be one available for rental.
3. Portfolio: Students will be given a classroom folder that should contain all reality checks, tests and any other
item expressed by the teacher. These portfolios will be kept by the teacher, but will be available for students’
to review.
Expectations:
All students should attend class each day and bring their calculator, notebook, pencil, pen, paper and graph paper.
The teacher does not have calculators for class use and students will be at a disadvantage if they do not have their
calculator available during class and for assessments. The sharing of calculators is not allowed. All classwork,
quizzes, and tests should be completed in pencil. You are required to keep an up to date mathematics notebook
that includes all notes and classwork in separate sections and labeled appropriately. All students deserve an
opportunity to learn in a supportive educational environment. Disruptive behavior is not expected, but will be
dealt with immediately. Each student should respect the rights of others. If a student misbehaves for a substitute
teacher, they will receive five days detention (no questions, no appeal). I do not expect this to be a problem.
Additional Information
Extra Help: I am available for extra help on most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (2:15 – 3:00). Sign
up on the sheet posted in the classroom. In addition, I am available at other times by appointment. National
Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta also offer free tutoring at additional times. Tutoring is offered daily through
advisement classes. Please seek assistance whenever you have a problem.
Parent Conferences: Parents wishing to set up a conference, or discuss any topic, may call the school at
770-682-4100 or e-mail me at Shelley_Churchill_Boggs@Gwinnett.K12.ga.us. I will do my best to respond
within 24 hours.
Absences (due to illness) and Late Assignments: Attendance has a direct correlation to success. Please
try to be in class each day, every day. Late assignments will be accepted if a student has an excused absence.
Pre-assigned work is due the day the student returns to school from an absence unless special circumstances (as
determined by the teacher) exist. Late assignments for unexcused absences will not be graded and will be
averaged as a zero.
School Sponsored Absences: When a student has a pre-arranged absence (for example; college visit,
school sporting event, school musical performance) they are expected to have all assigned work completed upon
their return. Assignments are available on the student assignment list within the classroom, on the student agenda
and on the teacher website. The classroom listing is the most current and students should use this as their primary
reference.
Portfolios: Each student has a file folder identified by name within the classroom. The students should
place all tests, quizzes, and other assignments as indicated by the teacher within the portfolio. These portfolios
are helpful to both the student and teacher. Students can use them to review for upcoming assessments. I will use
them to assess students’ difficulties and develop a plan for improvement.
Notebooks: Please print notes prior to coming to class. In that way all students will be able to listen to
instruction and the majority of class time will be spent actively engaged in mathematical content. We will review
notes quickly and you will NOT have time to copy them in class.
Makeup Assessments/Tests: No new material will be covered the day before a major test. If you are
absent only the day before, you will be expected to take the test with the class. If you are absent on the test day,
you should be prepared to take the test the first day you return. If the teacher is unavailable or you can not stay
the first day you return, the test will be given at a mutually agreed upon time (within the five day window).
Students will receive a zero for the assessment if this is not accomplished. Make-up assessments are more
difficult than those given on regularly scheduled assessment days due to the additional time students receive to
prepare for them.
Calculators: Any student found with improper information stored on their calculator will be referred to
the administration for violating classroom procedures. Calculators are to be used only for mathematical reference
within the classroom; any student improperly using their calculator during class time (playing games, using it on a
non-calculator assessment, etc.) will have their calculator confiscated by the teacher. The parent may be required
to arrange a time to retrieve the student’s calculator. After the third incident, the student will NOT be allowed to
use a calculator during class time which could severely impact their grade.
Classwork: Be sure to put your name in the upper right hand corner of your paper. All graphs should
be completed on graph paper. Show all work and circle your final answer. Remember answers should be in
simplest form. Check the odd problems as you complete them, even answers will be provided during class.
Failing to follow these instructions may result in a reduced grade OR a grade of zero.
Recommendation Letters: I will be happy to supply letters of recommendations for students. In order
for me to write an appropriate letter please consult with me at least two weeks prior to the due date. I will give
you a form to complete that will assist me in writing an appropriate recommendation. Appropriate
recommendation letters can not be completed in short periods of time as they require some thought to make them
“stand out” from others.
Grading: Students who feel that a grading error has occurred should talk with the teacher in private,
either before or after school. No grading questions will be answered during class time, or before/after class. The
only exception to this is when the problem rises from a simple calculation/marking error. These may be turned in
at the end of class with a notation at the top of the paper regarding the error.
Telephone Usage: There is NO reason to have your telephone available and turned on during class time.
All students should silence their phones and place them in their backpacks prior to the start of class. Any student
using a phone during class will receive a detention (along with phone call notifying their parents) for their first
incident. Additional uses will result in referral to the appropriate administrative office.
Backpacks: All backpacks will be stored at the front of the room during any assessment. On assessment
days students’ should remove their pencil, calculator, etc. and then place their book bag under the whiteboard at
the front of the classroom. No student will be allowed to keep their backpacks with them during assessments and
these may not be retrieved until the end of the class.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes giving or receiving information during an assessment, using prohibited
materials as aids during an assessment (this includes unauthorized calculator use), and/or acquiring or dispensing
prohibited information/materials before an evaluation. The penalty for academic dishonesty may include a
reduced grade, a grade of zero, and/or a conference with the student, teacher and/or administrator/parent.
***The teacher reserves the right to revise the syllabus at any time to better reflect the needs and abilities of the
students. ***