Teacher: Kaitlyn Stabile

Email: Kaitlyn.stabile@ucps.k12.nc.us

Canvas Class Website:  https://ucps.instructure.com/courses/36572

 

I am very excited to have you in Biology!  If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is through email, or just come by before or after school. 

 

Class Rules:

 

You are expected to follow all Union County Public Schools and Weddington High School rules.  If you are unfamiliar with these rules, please refer to the pre-school packet that you received either in the mail or at orientation. Ms. Stabile’s rules are as follows:

 

1. There will be no eating or drinking at any time. Especially NO PEANUTS OR GLUTEN!
2. Classwork must be completed in class, no extensions unless you are absent. Extended time will be given in class as needed—but if you are in class you are expected to complete your work.
3. Homework may be done during designated times in class, and will be accepted until the day of the test. Any work not related to this class (Biology) will be destroyed publicly.
4. Phones must be placed in your numbered pocket. Any phone disturbance will marked as a classroom disturbance and treated as an offense. Laptops will also be away.
5. Bathroom use must be logged, and will be tracked on the chrome book next to the door
6. If you break it, you replace it. I have a variety of things I have personally bought, and they will not be touched unless otherwise directed. This includes candy and any lab materials. Be respectful of your surroundings.
7. Assigned seats will be followed, and before we leave class the seats/desks will be cleared and set into a neat position. No one will leave the room any different than the condition it was in to begin with. Student Ambassadors will check/verify the condition.
8. Any Classroom privilege (such as labs) will be treated just as that—a privilege and may be taken away at any point to poor classroom behavior.

 

Class Expectations:

 

• Be RESPECTFUL of both your classmates and the teacher.
• Arrive to class on time and ready to work. (This means, have your pencils sharpened and notebook out by the time the bell rings).
• Follow all verbal and written directions given by the teacher.
• Remain seated unless otherwise directed.
• Raise your hand to ask questions
• All grading concerns will be addressed before or after school. Students must speak to Ms. Stabile directly regarding this, whether through email or verbally.

 

Consequences:

Every offense, no matter the severity is documented on Educators Handbook. The consequences for not following the rules are as follows

 

• 1^st offense: verbal or written warning (First documentation on Educators Handbook)
• 2^nd offense: conference with student and parent contact (Second Documentation)
• 3^rd offense: after school detention (Third documentation requires Office Referral)

 

 

What you will need:

 

• One 2 inch 3 ring binder
• 4-10 subject dividers for your binder
• Pens, pencils, and a highlighter
• Colored Pencils

 

What you will study: 

 

The topics listed below will be covered throughout the duration of this class.

 

• The Scientific Method                         )  Genetics
• Characteristics of Life                        )  Evolution
• Biochemistry                                                  )  Diversity of Life
• Cellular Structure                                            )  Microbiology
• Plasma Membrane and Cell                             )  Plants

Transport                                                       14.)  Animals

• Energy in a Cell                                             )  Animal Behavior
• The Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis               )  Human Health
• DNA Structure and Function                           )  Ecology

 

Homework:

• Can be assigned nightly, to be completed by the start of the next class.
• Can be spot checked or taken up for a grade (completion and accuracy are at my discretion)
• If you do not have a homework assignment at the time I ask for it, it will result in a zero.

*It is THE STUDENTS’ responsibility to keep track of homework assignments AND make up all assignments by Test day for a reduced grade. No homework will be accepted for ANY grade past the date of the test. Test dates are labeled on the calendar at the front of the room.  I suggest that you use your agenda book to write your assignments down and note due dates. 

 

 

 

Grading:All grades will be done on a total point system as opposed to weights. Therefore, in order to calculate your grade you will take (total number of points you have earned/total number of points possible) x 100.  Canvas does not always accurately depict your grade. Be sure to be checking Power school.

 

Canvas & Google: I use Canvas and google for several assignments during the semester and to give you study aids and interesting things I find about the topics we are studying. All assignments, no matter the platform will always be listed on the canvas page.

*If you are not familiar with Canvas, please log-in and take a look at our class page. 

*Ask me questions in class when I am demonstrating how to use the different Canvas and google applications.  I want you to be comfortable using these things so you will know what to do when it comes time to turn in assignments.

The EOC:  Biology I requires that all students enrolled in the class take an End of Course Exam (EOC).  This test is NOT exemptible!  Your final grade for this class will be calculated as follows (25% for the first 6 weeks, 25% for the second 6 weeks, 25% for the third 6 weeks, and 25% for the EOC).  

 

Tutoring: If you have questions about any of the material covered in this course, please seek help outside of class.  I will be available to answer any questions that you may have during the following times:

• Warrior Block
• Any other time by appointment

 

I ask that you tell me in advance whether you will be coming to tutoring.  This ensures that I will be in my room!

 

Labs: I love doing hands-on lab activities and want you to have the opportunity to do as many labs as possible during this course.  Because some labs present dangers to students if not taken seriously, I require that you act in an appropriate and orderly manner while in lab.  If I feel as though the lab has become an unsafe environment, I will revoke lab privileges. I enjoy incorporating labs into my classes, but full cooperation from every member of the class is required to insure that labs run smoothly. 

• Please follow the lab procedure as it is explained to you by Ms. Stabile during EVERY lab. 
• Please pay attention to the necessary steps as outlined by the teacher to keep yourself and your classmates safe during lab activities. 
• You will be asked to sign a lab safety contract to insure that you are aware of safe practices in a lab setting. This contract must be signed before the first lab session.

 

Tardies: I will be following the tardy policy given in the student handbook, including new tardy lockouts.

 

Absences: If you are absent for any reason it is your responsibility to make-up anything that you have missed.  You will have 2 school days to make-up and turn in any work that you may have missed.  Missed tests or quizzes must be made-up after school within 5 school days of the last missed day.

 

Technology Policy: There will be no phones, tablets, laptops or other devices used in the classroom, unless otherwise stated by Ms. Stabile. Failure to abide by this policy will result in a reduced participation grade. If it becomes a recurring issue (aka more than one time), a referral can be written to the office, as repeated behavior offenses will follow the same order of consequences listed previously in this syllabus.

Students:

By signing this I agree to follow the rules, expectations and outlines demonstrated by this syllabus. In addition, I have FULLY read the syllabus and am in agreement with the standards I will need to uphold as a member of Ms. Stabile’s Class.

Parent/Guardian:

By signing this I acknowledge the expectations Ms. Stabile has set for her classroom, and understand what’s expected of my child.

 

Student Signature & Date : _____________________________________________________________________

 

Parent/Guardian Signature & Date : _____________________________________________________________________