Class Expectations - Kozbial Chemistry

Parent Information
CHEMISTRY LEVEL 2
Ms. Kozbial wSamantha.Kozbial@edison.k12.nj.us
http://kozchem.home.comcast.net/
Chemistry is a challenging course and here are some tips that may help your child excel in this course.
• Keep in touch - it is very easy for me generate a grade report and send it to you by email. You can also email
me to arrange a phone conference if that is necessary.
• Class Materials - please invest in a notebook and a scientific calculator for your child.
• Extra Credit - I do not give extra credit assignments, however, there will be opportunities to earn extra credit
points on assignments.
• Complete all assignments. Class assignments are a large portion of the final grade. If your child is absent,
please encourage them to get make-up work. Failure to submit make-up assignments will result in an “F” for the given
assignment.
General Class Rules
1. Come to class on time. Please be INSIDE the classroom before the late bell is sounded.
2. Begin the start up activity within 1 minute after the late bell. Please check the board for any directions.
“Do Now” assignments are NOT optional and should be completed quietly and individually.
3. Attend to personal needs before coming to class. Washroom visits will be allowed, however they will be
limited. Using the washroom is a PRIVILEGE – if you are not behaving as a student (taking notes,
participating in classroom discussion, doing seat work, handing in homework, etc), you will not have the
privileges of a student. *Remember: you cannot leave the classroom until 10 mins into the period and
no later than 10 mins before the end of the period, as per school policy.
4. Remain in your assigned seat. Remain seated and quiet until dismissed by your instructor. Please
remain quietly in your seats (even if the bell has sounded) until I dismiss you incase I have any additional
end of class announcements.
5. Our science classroom is gum and food free. NO GUM OR FOOD. Beverages in plastic bottles with
caps will be allowed (i.e. bottled water). However, if this practice becomes disruptive or waste is not
disposed of properly, this privilege will be revoked.
6. Bring required materials to class every day unless you are otherwise instructed. Each day you
should bring the following materials to class:
• Science notebook
• Pen (black or blue ink) or dark pencil
• *****Scientific Calculator*****
7. Speak only when permitted. Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations
and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others.
8. Use polite speech and body language – our room is rated “G”. Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is
unacceptable. Any student engaged in offensive behaviors will be assigned detention, written up or asked
to attend a conference with your parents and teacher, if necessary.
Textbook
You will be using two texts for this course.
• Glencoe Chemistry: Concepts and Applications
• http://glencoe.com/ose/
§ Access code: CB8955A166
• It’s About Time: Active Chemistry
1

Cheating
Cheating will be dealt with in accordance with the policy as outlined in the district student handbook. Some
examples of cheating are: talking during a test or quiz, looking at a quiz or test paper other than your own
during an assessment, copying last years lab reports or another classmate’s lab report, copying homework
during study hall, writing information on your hands or desk. If you are not sure if something is cheating,
please ask.
Laboratory Investigations
We will be partaking in many laboratory exercises this year and will adhere to the following procedures for each
investigation. If you are absent on a lab day, you will be given an alternate assignment in lieu of the lab.
Lab exercises may be carried out on non-lab days. I will let you know ahead of time, so that you will dress properly
(closed toed hard-bottomed shoes).
Grading
Each student will receive a term grade based on:
• Classwork (includes: labs, guided reading, vocabulary, projects) – 40%
• Tests – 40%
• Quizzes – 20%
The grade will be determined using a weighted average based on the percentages above.
Example:
• Classwork average = 89%
• Test average = 70%
• Quiz average = 85%
Grade = (0.40)(89%) + (0.40)(70%) + (0.20)(85%)
Grade = 80.6 or 81% = B-
A +
A
A -
B +
B
B -
2
District Grading Scale
97-100%
93-96%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
C +
C
C -
D
F
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
65-69%
≤ 64%
In addition, each student will participate in a district wide performance based assessment mid-year and a final
exam at the end of the school year.
Grades will be posted in our classroom after each assessment is graded and a student summary could be sent
home per an email request. Please feel free to inquire about your progress at any time.
Extra Help
If you are in need of further or better explanation of a lesson, assistance with a lab report or homework assignment
or would like to discuss any concerns, please feel free to make arrangements with me to schedule a time. You may
make an appointment in person before school, after school or after class or contact me via email at
Samantha.Kozbial@edison.k12.nj.us . I am available before school (6.45 am – 7.30 am, Tuesday – Friday).
Absences
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get all the notes and homework assignments missed during your
absence. Remember to check the Koz Chem website (http://kozchem.home.comcast.net/) for assignments or
email me. I can send electronic copies of worksheets. If you missed a test or quiz, it may be made during class. If
you miss a lab, you will be given an alternate assignment to make up. Often, there will be test reviews prior to an
exam. If you miss this review, you will still be required to take the exam note: tests are always announced in
advance