Classroom Expectations, Procedures & SHS Handbook PoliciesSpanish – Room 151Sparta High SchoolSra. Mezo

Classroom ProceduresSpanish – Room 151

Take notes – there will be a quiz later!

Student BehaviorsBe on time.

Be ready to learn when class begins.Be prepared.

Have books & materials with you and know due dates.Be a polite participant.

Speak in a normal tone of voice, & listen attentively.Be productive.

Turn in work on time, and always do your best.Be a problem solver.

Correct problems quickly and peacefully before they escalate.

Be positive. Complaining seldom changes the situation so save your

energy and look on the bright side of things.

Show RespectValue yourself. Be honest and ethical,

and practice strong moral values.Treat all members of the school

community and all visitors with politeness and respect.

Honor the ideas and opinions of others.Offer to help.Be responsible with property and

belongings. Most of the items in this classroom belong to Sra. Mezo and not the school.

Responsibility for CourseworkBring binder, textbook,

handbook, and appropriate writing tools to class every day.

Know due dates, and submit all assignments on time.

All assignments are posted on the class website and listed on your homework calendar.

Policies Food and beverages are not allowed in the

classroom unless part of a class assignment. This means no gum, candy, juice, water, etc.

Please be in your seat when the second bell rings, as class begins at that time. You will be marked tardy if you are not in your seat.

Ask for permission before moving around the classroom during class.

All papers will be kept in your binder. No papers will be stored in your textbook.

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PoliciesGo to the bathroom between classes.

Do not wait until the bell rings and then ask to go.

You may not leave the classroom during Channel One unless you are attending a club meeting or other announced activity. Sign out first!

Backpacks and bags must be mesh or see-through. All others will be stored in your locker along with your coat or jacket.

PoliciesKeep your area clean. Throw away your

paper and trash in the trash can. Do not leave it on the floor or in your desk.

Any item that you use from the classroom must be returned and put away before you leave. These items are provided as a courtesy to you. They are not allowed to leave the classroom without Sra. Mezo’s permission.

The school does not provide kleenex to blow your nose. Bring your own.

GradingGrades are based on the accumulation of

points.Points are given for:

Homework = 10%Oral Participation = 10%Class work & Writing = 25%Projects = 25%Quizzes & Chapter Tests = 15%Final Exam = 10%Extra Credit = 5 % Semester Grade 100%

GradingSHS Grading Scaleo 93-100%= Ao 86-92% = Bo 76-85% = Co 70-75% = Do Below 70% = F

o Grades are calculated on cumulative percentage and are rounded up whenever possible.

o I do not give + or – grades. (ie., B+, B-)

Semester ExamSemester Exam consists of 2 parts: oral/listening

& written.1st semester – everyone takes both parts! Only

seniors who have met or exceeded all parts of the Prairie State Exam may be exempt from the written exam.

2nd semester – everyone takes oral/listening part.2nd semester – may be exempt from written exam

if: Have A or B average for semester grade. Have 3 or less absences Have 2 or less tardies Must meet all three requirements!

Homework GradeHomework is checked the following day for

accuracy. Homework is graded for completion only and

is worth 10% of your total grade. Completed & turned in on time, full credit.

Full stamp = 10 pts.Turned in on time, but incomplete. Half

stamp = 5 pts. Complete it before chapter test day & earn 7 pts.

Not turned in on time. No stamp = 0 pts. Complete it before chapter test day & earn 5 pts.

Other Assignment GradingOther assignments are graded 80/20. 80% of the grade is accuracy of the work. 20% of the grade is completion and work habits.

For example: Work Accuracy Habits

TotalAssignment #1 80 pts. 20 pts. 100 pts.

Entering the Classroom Procedure1. Enter the classroom quickly and quietly. 2. Set your materials down respectfully

and be seated. Do not throw or slam your books on the desk. Place all purses and backpacks under your chair or hang it on the chair behind you. Leave aisles open at all times.

3. After the 2nd bell, talking to your friends stops. Begin practicing your vocabulary flash cards with your partner while Sra. Mezo takes attendance.

Flashcard Practice Procedure1. Always sit in your assigned seat and work with

you assigned partner. If you are not in your assigned seat, you will be marked absent or tardy.

2. Gather your flashcards for practice.3. With your partner, practice learning the

vocabulary for the current chapter. You are to be speaking and practicing Spanish, not talking in English.

4. Points for oral Spanish will be taken regularly. If you are not speaking and practicing your Spanish, you will lose your points for that day. Oral participation in Spanish is 10% of your total grade in this class.

Tardy Procedure/Leaving Early

Enter the classroom quietly, hand your tardy pass to Sra. Mezo, and join in the classroom activities with minimal disruption.

If you are leaving early, notify Sra. Mezo upon arrival. Simply raise your hand when it is time for you to leave, sign out of the classroom and leave quietly to go to the office.

SHS Tardy Procedure (per class/per semester)

1st Tardy = Notification from teacher (tardy form) 2nd Tardy = Notification from teacher (tardy form) 3rd Tardy = Sent to office (After school detention and parent conference) 4th Tardy = Sent to office (After school detention and parent conference) 5th Tardy = Sent to office (1 day Alternative Study) 6th Tardy = Sent to office (Alternative Studies; May lead to removal from class & F for the semester; Parent conference)

Absence ProcedureWhen you are absent, check your

homework calendar to find out what you missed.

If you are missing work from an absence, check the homework folder in the back of the room.

You will have the number of days that you are absent to turn in work. For example, if you are absent 1 day, you will have 1 day to make up the work. After that, points will be deducted for late work.

SHS Absence PolicyArticle 26 Illinois School Code Compulsory Attendance

Law for ages 7-17.Parents or guardians are liable to a Class C

misdemeanor & subject to fine up to $500. If absent, parent should call school before 8 am stating

reason for absence. Must notify school within 48 hrs.Written notes accepted only if parent makes request

before the absence. Request must be made in person by parent.

Students must sign in/out during the day when entering or leaving the school for any reason. Failure to do so will result in the absence being classified as truancy.

Parent calls after student leaves will not excuse the absence.

Excused AbsencesExcused Absences

Limited to 9 per semesterParent must call school within 48 hrs. of

absenceMake-up work may be turned in for full

creditAre beyond control of student & parent

Illness Death in the family Family emergencies Doctor appointments Temporary placement in professional institutions

Unexcused AbsencesWill receive “0” for work missed.Those for reasons not listed previously.

OversleepingWorkingMissing a busCar problemsTruancyMore than 9 absencesAdministration will make determination for

all others

Channel One TimeIt is not break time. Class is not

over. Only those participating in

announced activities are allowed to leave the room.

If you do not already have a signed pass from another teacher/staff, do not ask to go anywhere.

Class DismissalThe teacher dismisses you, not the bell.

The bell simply tells me that the class has ended.

Do not start packing up prior to the bell. This is distracting and rude. When you hear the bell, you may begin packing.

Make sure you pick up all trash and retrieve all of your materials. Check the shelf of your desk. Any personal items may be thrown in the trash.

Wait until the teacher finishes and officially dismisses you before getting out of your seat. You will not get up and line up at the door to leave before the bell.

Turning in PapersMake certain your name, date,

class, and page # is in the upper-right corner. No identification = no credit.

Pass your paper to the person nearest the main aisle.

Wait for Sra. Mezo to collect the papers, or for the person on the aisle to place the papers in the homework basket on Sra. Mezo’s desk.

When you finish work early. . . .Quietly organize your binder.Work on vocabulary, homework, or

flashcards.DO NOT disturb your neighbor or the rest of

the class.DO NOT sit doing nothing. You must actively

be working on, studying, or reading something.

Note: Any work you do other than Spanish during class is subject to being confiscated. This class is not a study hall!

Make-up and RetakesMake-up tests or quizzes or retakes will

be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school (2:50 pm).

If you will be staying for that week, you need to fill in the Make-up/Retake Form with your name, class and what assessment you are taking before leaving class.

If you do not make-up a quiz or test on the following Tuesday or Thursday after the test was given, you will receive a 0 for that quiz or test.

An alternative test may be given as a make-up or retake. Alternative tests generally do not have word banks or matching/multiple choice questions. There are usually more fill-in the blanks or essay questions. The same content is tested.

Remember!!!This is SPANISH class.Expect to read, write, listen to,

and speak Spanish in class every day!

As this is a no whining classroom, do not complain or whine about any of the expectations, assignments, temperature, or class procedures.

SHS Handbook NotesPolicies & Notes

General Information Other than Jazz Band class, students do not

enter the school before 7:50 am. Classes begin at 8 am. (p. 12)

Students may wait for 8 am bell in the cafeteria or outside. (p. 12)

School day ends at 2:45 pm. (p. 12) Cars – Student cars will be parked in student

parking lot. Must have parking permit from school. Parking in non-designated areas may result in car being towed. (p. 12)

No street shoes allowed on gym floor. (p. 13)

General Information If student becomes ill at school, must

go to office. Only authorized person can give medicine. (p. 58)

Must go to office to sign out if leaving school for any reason. (p. 13)

Library – No gum, food, drink, emailing, game-playing on computers. (p. 13)

Lockers – Property of SHS & may be searched at anytime with or without student’s permission. (p. 13)

Student is responsible for all items in locker.

Student is responsible for damage to locker. (p. 13)

General Information No open food or beverages in lockers due to

bugs. (p.13) Only school padlocks from office may be used

on lockers. (p. 14) Lockers should be locked. SHS is not

responsible for lost or stolen items from unlocked lockers. (p. 14)

Open Campus lunch is earned – not a right. (Grades, attendance, tardies) (p. 14)

Pay lunch money to school secretary. (p. 14) No students allowed in hall without signed pass.

(p. 14)

General Information Keep all personal property locked in

lockers. Do not bring any valuable items to school. (p. 14)

No cell phones, ipods, beepers, pagers, or other electronic devices allowed. (p. 14)

Above mentioned items will be confiscated and turned in to the office. (p. 29)

Only see-through book bags are allowed in classrooms. Others will be left in lockers. (p. 14)

General Information Textbooks – Are the responsibility

of the student to whom it is checked out to. (p. 15-16)

Damaged or lost books will be the responsibility of the student. Spanish book = $75 each. (p. 16)

AcademicsClass standings in order to graduate

are determined solely by the number of credits earned – not by the number of years in attendance.

0-5 credits = Freshman6-11 credits = Sophomore12-17 credits = Junior18+ credits = Senior

(p. 19)

Academics SHS Graduation Course Requirements: Included in the academic units for graduation with a diploma from SHS shall be the following minimum credits: 2009 – 2010 24 credits 2011 & beyond 24 credits English – 3 English – 3 Health Education – ½ Health Education – ½ Resource Management – 1 Resource Management – 1 American History – 1 American History – 1 U.S. Government – ½ U.S. Government – ½ Science – 1 Science – 2 World Studies – 1 World Studies – 1 Mathematics – 3 Mathematics – 3 Physical Education * Physical Education *

****According to Illinois School Code, [ILSC 5/275] Students are required to take 3 ½ semesters of Physical Education; the ½

section to bring credits to four years is Health Education.. The only exceptions to this requirement is if the student properly obtained a P.E. Waiver or the student is taking Driver’s Education for one quarter earning ¼ credit.

(p. 20)

Disciplinary ActionRemoval From Class: (p. 27) 1st Offense Removalfrom the class for the remainder of the period, a reinstatement to class form issued,

parent teacher contact required; 2nd Offense Removalfrom the class until a second reinstatement to class conference is held; 3rd Offense Permanentremoval from the class with loss of credit, no replacement course for credit permitted that

grading period, written notificationto parent.

Note: When a student has been removed from a class, the parent must contact the teacher within two school days or the student will receive Alternative Study and a letter of explanation will be sent to the parent(s).

Detention, Alternative Study, Suspension, Expulsion from school

Detention is held after school in the room of the teacher /staff who assigned the detention. (p. 26)

Disciplinary Infractions Authority Statement Bus Safety Regulations Destruction of Property/Vandalism/Theft or Possession of Stolen

Property Cell Phones, Pagers and Any Other Electronic Device Disrespect Drugs and Alcohol Extortion Fireworks Food and Beverages Forging a Pass Gang Activity Harassment Insubordination to Teacher/Administration Last Day Offenses

(p. 28-32)

Disciplinary Infractions Littering Physical Abuse Encouraging or "Egging on" a fight or argument Plagiarism Profanity Prohibited Articles Public Display of Affection: [PDA] Searches of Students Search of Vehicles Sign Out Sheet Smoking or Tobacco Products/Paraphernalia Sportsmanship Students in Unauthorized Area Theft

(p. 32-34)

Disciplinary InfractionsThreats and Harassment Towards School PersonnelTruancyVandalism (p. 34-36)

Improper Dress (p. 31)Any type of dress apparel or grooming habits

that is disruptive, distracting or that reflects negatively upon the school and student body will not be permitted.

Apparel that universally offends a person‘s religious beliefs, race, ethnicity or sexual preference will not be permitted.

Improper Dress Vulgar; obscene; sexually suggestive; drug,

alcohol, tobacco promotingCaps, hats and other headwearPants, shorts, etc. will be worn around the waist.Midriffs and cut off shirts will not be permitted on

girls or boys. Shirts with spaghetti straps will not be allowed. Navels & shoulders must be covered.

Tops showing cleavage. Keep the “girls” covered.Handkerchiefs will be worn inside pockets only,

and bandanas will not be allowed on school property or at school related activities at home or away.

Improper DressStudents will not be allowed to wear

coats in the school building. Sweatshirts, sweaters and hoodies are OK.

Anything that can be construed as a gang identifier.

Spiked apparel and chains will not be allowed.

A single facial piercing may be permitted as long as it is not disruptive to the educational setting or become a health and safety issue.

IHSA Athletic Policies Student Handbook p. 40-52 Attendance: Students participating in any school activity

held on a day when school has been in session must have been in attendance no less than the last half of the day on which the activity is scheduled. Exceptions to this are cases in which a student is absent for a reason of a family emergency, funeral, College/Career Day, or doctor’s appointment. Students who are ill during the school day afternoon of a scheduled activity, or who have an unexcused absence for all, or portion of the school day of a scheduled activity will not be permitted to participate in the school related activity. Once a student leaves a school activity, including athletic events, he/she will not be permitted to return. A student who misbehaves at a school activity or athletic event will be asked to leave with the potential of being denied the privilege of attending future events.

IHSA Athletic PoliciesEligibility

Semester Basis: After completing the first semester of 9th grade, a student must have successfully passed 25 hours (5 classes) the previous semester in order to be eligible for the succeeding semester.

Weekly Basis: All students must be carrying 6 periods of class work. A student failing three (3) classes will be declared ineligible immediately for a week. A student failing any two (2) classes for two (2) consecutive weeks will be declared ineligible for a week.

Extra Curricular Activities Student handbook p. 41-45 Students encouraged to participate. Must be subject to the rules and regulations of each

organization.

BARC, Band, Chorus Math Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, NHS FBLA, FFA, Foods Club, Skills USA Journalism, Web Design, Yearbook Math Team, Scholar Bowl, WYSE FCA, SADD Student Council Athletics

And finally . . . .Pass book is located in back of

handbook.Sign your name at the top of each

page of pass book.

School schedules on p. 71 and last page