A Guide to understanding the Class Rules*

• Part I:   Class Rules/Life Rules: "Guiding Principles in the Classroom"

• Part II:  The Most Common Classroom Issues: "Procedures"

• Part III: The Less Common Classroom Issues: "Important to Know"

 

*Please be aware that certain behaviors or situations require that I report them to the proper authorities (parents, administrators, etc.).  My goal is to help all of my students succeed as best they are able.

 

Class Rules/Life Rules (Keep in your notebook)

Most of the rules came from good advice and experimentation; however vigilant I am about the effectiveness of the rules, I reserve the right to make changes within district guidelines for the educational needs of specific students and situations. Think about it...  If your doctor prescribed aspirin to all their patients instead of seeing each one as having unique needs wouldn't you stop going to them?   Why would an educator provide the same learning experience when each student has unique needs? Of course, it doesn't make sense! 

None of my rules is intended to replace the districts policies as described in the code of conduct, please see the district code of conduct for complete details of responsibilities:

·         Life rule #1 There is no fairness, get over it and move on—is it fair that some students go to special college preparatory schools that cost $18,700 --$31,000  a year while you have me?   Of course, "We’re all created equal…" but what does that really mean?  Consider that not everyone has equal home life, social life, looks, talent, health etc....

(Visit http://www.stonybrookschool.org/Admissions/Tuition.php  the Stony Brook School as a nearby example)  After they graduate, do you think that these students are going to community college?  FYI:  I graduated from Longwood in 1983 and put myself through Suffolk County Community College and SUNY@Stonybrook. 

·         Life Rule # 2 Do the best with what you have.   Suffolk County Community College  is not “Thirteenth Grade” if you really want to learn.  Stony Brook University has some of the finest minds on our planet and you get to talk with them, so get involved.  I didn't know what I wanted to do when I graduated.  I didn't understand the college world and how it relates to the business world.  I recommend reading Getting What You Came For : The Smart Student's Guide to Earning an M.A. or a Ph.D. by Robert Peters.  This is an introduction to the world of academia in layman's terms... things you could really mess up your first year in college if you're not careful.

·         Life Rule #3 Maximize opportunity for success.  You may think it will never happen but if success does come knocking will you be able to answer the door?  Some of you may not  even know where the door is—that’s OK.  If you have to-- get your tools together and build a door!  Think of adding a bell.  Stand out from the crowd.  The more tools you have the better your opportunities will be.  The more doors you build -- the more knocking you will hear. 

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The Most Common Classroom Issues:

• Phones and personal electronic communication devices are prohibited in the classroom and hallways for many reasons don’t use them in my class or in school: I am not joking.

• Absolutely no backpacks, purses, book bags, knapsacks, bunched up clothes, "phat" bubbles on your desk or lap during class.  I will ask you to move the items.  Don't be shocked.  I warned you...  too often cell phones (especially with blue tooth technology), food, game systems, MP3 players, cameras, etc are concealed here during class.

• You must always have and be ready to display your ID card when asked.

• One person to the bathroom at a time and no bathroom passes in the first or last ten minutes of class. No passes are given if you come in late. 

• No eating in class.  The mess, smell, and distraction are not appropriate: in an "emergency" I will give you a pass to an administrator who will decide if you may go to the cafeteria.

• When I’m addressing the class there is no talking, even to yourself.  I need quiet for educational reasons.
• Raising your hand is a three step process.  1 Raising of the hand or saying, “Excuse me?”   2 Being called upon to speak.   3 Giving your answer/ speaking.
• Quiet during the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence even if you do not participate. 
• No application of make-up, moisturizer, perfume, cologne, or hairspray: use the bathroom.
• Bring your notebook and writing tool every day as participation is 20% of your grade the notebook is 20% of your grade 60% is below passing—figure it out.
• Don't want to lose credit for lost class time due to illegal absences such as "family vacations," etc...?  Show that both education and responsibility is an important family value and have your parent or guardian contact the guidance department to arrange for missing assignments at least one week prior to your absence to allow teachers to make plans as well as allow you to pick it up before vacation.  If you lose one week out of ten, you can expect a 10% reduction of your grade. Part of that responsibility is to obtain work to be made up when absent from class (including for out of school suspensions--These assignments are due immediately upon your return or as specified in the work for the week posted online.) and this may require a trip to the public library to use the internet or other resources to complete alternative assignments.
•  Late work is penalized 10% per day unless there is a note from a parent.
• All work e-mailed to me is not considered received unless I have e-mailed you a reply. I frequently check my e-mail during school hours; however, if your grade is depending on an assignment you have failed to turn in on time-- I will accept a US postmark addressed to me here at Longwood as the date completed and submitted to me.
• If you don’t understand an assignment it is your responsibility to let me know immediately: do not leave the classroom without speaking to me!
• No inappropriate language or slang – if you don’t know what it is I will remind you when it happens and you will be able to apologize to those in earshot or I will need to call home.  If that doesn’t work I will need to report the behavior to an administrator.  The bottom line is-- If it’s said and I hear it I assume you intended me to hear it BE AWARE all that I hear is my business as a teacher in this school.  No mean and non-inclusive insults.
•  If something someone says or does makes you uncomfortable you must tell me or have a parent/guardian tell me.  I can not read people’s minds.  Ask questions.  E-mail me if you need to, remember reporting is not ratting.  I do care and harassment, bullying, dangerous behavior, and threats, should be reported!  Help me to help you feel safe.

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The Less Common Classroom Issues:

·         If the inappropriate language or slang is at all "sexual" in nature be prepared to face charges of sexual harassment (See the code of conduct http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/cc-full.pdf) bullying is not acceptable.

·         Insubordination will not be tolerated—if I ask you personally to change your seat or to please be quiet it is for the improvement of the educational environment of which I am in charge. 

·         I will make every effort not to implement such changes; however, if you continue to be a disruption to the educational process I will have you removed from the room and brought to an administrator until we can work out a reasonable resolution that preserves the educational environment in the best interest for all students.

·         Excessive absences may result in course failure.

·         Attendance-- Excessive or repeated lateness/ cutting results in detention and referral to administration. Driving? Be prepared to give up your parking rights and don't say I didn't warn you!

·         Unsafe behavior will not be tolerated and is determined by me.  If there are problems with another student see me immediately I will do my absolute best to keep your anonymity depending on the weight of circumstances.

·         Lastly, I can't believe that I have to write this final warning;  however, due to recent classroom events, I am forewarning you that inappropriately suggestive, illegal, vulgar, profane, explicit material will receive the grade of a zero-- if it is included as part of a portfolio -- the entire portfolio will receive the grade of a zero.  Additionally, I will need to refer the material to parents, administration, mental health professionals, even alert law enforcement in cases where it may be warranted.