WELCOME TO CHEMISTRYwith Mrs. Kaspriskie & Ms. Santos

2014-2015

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. You will learn a great deal

in Chemistry this year, and you need to recognize from very beginning that this class will

take a good amount of dedication and study time. You will need to understand the concepts

and problem-solving skills taught in class and then be able to apply them..

Homework, labs, and activities designed for this course reinforce concepts learned during

classroom discussions. Chemistry concepts are cumulative, therefore it is important to maintain

a strong level of understanding as we move through the year. We will do our best to

facilitate your learning and, hopefully, you will find this class interesting,

informative and enjoyable.

CLASS MATERIALS

You will need to have the following materials with you

EVERYDAY• One 2”, plain, 3-ring binder with your name on it. * The worksheets and notes packets you receive

in class should be placed in this binder.• Loose leaf paper in the binder.• One two-pocket folder which fits in your

notebook• Pens, pencils• Scientific calculator• Planner

Student Responsibiliti

es

Arrive to class on time

Class begins at the bell. When the bell rings you are expected to be in your seat, with your homework out, beginning the posted “Do Now” activity. Students who are not in their seats at the bell will be marked “Tardy”. School policy regarding tardies and absences will be strictly followed. .

Conduct

• Students are expected to show respect for other students, teachers and substitute teachers.

• Any misbehavior on the part of any student will be dealt with according to the circumstance.

Bathroom

You must sign out in front of the room, and return to class quickly and without disruption. Only one student at a time may leave for the bathroom. Cell phones are not to be used during bathroom breaks.

Cell Phones

• Cell phones not being used for instructional purposes will be confiscated if seen or heard.

• They can be reclaimed at the end of the class.

No food or drink is allowed at any time.

Be prepared to work safely and efficiently in the laboratory.

• There will be a pre-lab assignment for most laboratory activities. Completing the pre-lab assignment will help you make the most of your time in the lab.

• Students will lose credit for incomplete or late pre-labs.

• All students are expected to follow all safety guidelines when working in lab.

Class is dismissed by the teachers, not the bell!

• You will know that it is time to leave when you are verbally dismissed by your teachers.

• Do not line up by the door, pack up, etc. in advance.

GRADING POLICY

Homework is checked daily immediately following the bell.

• Homework assignments can be found on your class calendar.

• You must show all work on homework problems. Answers alone will not receive credit.

• If you try and still cannot do a problem, copy the problem, word for word, into your notebook, leaving space for writing in the solution. You are expected to show this as we come around checking your work.

Due dates for assignments • Daily homework will not be accepted late. • Late assignments such as labs, worksheets or

projects will be penalized 10% per day late for the first two days. After the second day, you will receive a zero. If the assignment has already been returned, you will need to do a make-up version to receive credit.

• Assignments are not accepted via e-mail. Please hand a hard copy in on the due date.

Due dates for assignments • If you are sick the day an assignment is due, you

must hand it in the day you get back. If you are sick for an extended period of time, you must meet with one of your teachers the day you get back to schedule times for new due dates. However, please come see us before/after school or during lunch, during class is not the appropriate time. If you are absent the day before a test, you still take the test! Come in before school to review if necessary.

Due dates for assignments • It is not in your best interest to wait to ask for

help with an assignment on the day it is due, especially labs. You will have ample time to complete your work – see one of us for extra help, if necessary.

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!

Make-up Work• Be responsible for make-up work. • In the event that you are out, you are

responsible for your make up work. • All hand-outs will be posted on our

“Chemistry Students Resources” page. Check for the worksheet, lab, or activity you missed and print it out.

Make-up Work• Labs must be made up within two cycles. • Quizzes and tests must be made up within

one cycle upon your return to school. • All make-ups are done by appointment.

Please see or email one of us.

Grades will be based on • Total points earned/ total points possible in

each of three categories

• Three categories:Homework- 10%Labs/Activities/ small projects- 30%Quizzes/Tests- 60%

There will be no midterm exam in CP Chemistry.

You will be given quarterly exams at the end of Marking Periods 1, 2 and 3 that will count towards your marking period grades.

Final course grades • 1st Quarter 22.5%• 2nd Quarter 22.5%• 3rd Quarter 22.5%• 4th Quarter 22.5%

• Final Exam Grade 10%• Total 100%

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic Honesty • Honesty is a requirement at Livingston High

School. As such, you will be required to earn your own grade in this class.

• Study groups are encouraged, but cheating or direct copying of others work will not be tolerated.

• Depending on the offense, ALL offending parties will be considered at fault. Your parents will be notified and the National Honor Society will be informed.

Academic Honesty • Your reputation at Livingston High School will

follow you through your senior year and beyond. Make sure it is impeccable!

Cheating is defined as • Use of notes, books, or notebooks or speaking

with anyone other than the teachers during a test or quiz.

• Copying or stealing homework, labs or any other assignments. If you work with someone, put your answers into your own words.

• Presenting work for credit which is not your own (for example, copying a conclusion paragraph from another group’s lab report)

EXTRA HELP

Extra Help Times We are available before or after school- please check our online Co-Teacher Page (see http://www.livingston.org/Domain/1388 ) for our schedules, office locations, emails, etc.

TEACHER INFO

Mrs. Kaspriskie’s office is in S22AMs. Santos’s office is in E280

Email questions to both of us: mkaspriskie@livingston.org andgsantos@livingston.org

You can do it, We believe in you!