Class Policies for Ms.

Garcia
8 Grade History 2015/2016
th

Welcome to 8th grade History. I am looking forward to working with and challenging each of you this year to help
you better prepare for high school AND beyond! Below is an outline of my class policies to help you stay on track
and be successful. Please read these policies carefully, share them with your parent or guardian, and both you and
your parent/guardian must sign the bottom and return to me by _____________.

Curriculum:
1st Semester Units:
1. Colonies Mini-Unit
2. Revolution War/Independence
3. U.S.Constitution
4. Launching the New Republic
5. Industrial North and
2nd Semester Units:
1. Westward Movement
2. Abolition Movement
3. The Civil War
4. 8th Grade Project

Agrarian

South

Our Classroom Rules

I expect all students to follow the school wide policies and procedures (see Harden Handbook) and to behave
appropriately at all times in my classroom in effort to help create a positive and safe learning environment.
You will be getting a Classroom Expectations Matrix which will explain the rules and procedures of the class in detail
so you know what you can expect from this class and what is expected from you.

Grades:
Please realize that I WANT every student to be successful in my class. With a little bit of effort, you should do well in
history.
You will be graded in the following areas:.

Social Studies Notebook 30%

Includes classwork, homework, and Daily Focus Question (DFQ)
Social Studies Exams 70%
Includes essays, paragraphs, exams, projects
I am always willing to meet with you regarding your grades and progress, but only outside of class time. It is your responsibility
to hold on to your work for the given unit.

Citizenship:
Citizenship grades will be determined by your attitude, effort, participation and behavior in class. You determine what citizenship
grade you will earn! Heres how:
Outstanding: 1) Always demonstrates the Expectations for Respect.
2) No unexcused tardies. 3) No detentions. 4) Always respectful of substitute. 5) No referrals. 6) No Minor Incident Reports
(MIRs)
Satisfactory: 1) Demonstrates the Expectations for Respect most
of the time. 2) 1-3 unexcused tardies. 3) Assigned 1 detention.
4) Causes problems for a substitute, but does not get name written down. 5) No referrals. 5) 1-3 Minor Incident Reports
(MIRs)
Unsatisfactory: 1) Does not demonstrate the expectations for respect multiple times. 2) Four or more unexcused tardies.
3) Assigned more than 1 detention. Owe unserved detentions. 4) Name written down by substitute for misbehaving.
5)
Earned a referral. 6) 5 or more Minor Incident Reports (MIRs)

Supplies: These items are REQUIRED for history class (and must be brought with you DAILY):

(blue or black)

3 -ring binder(a 1 or binder dedicated ONLY to history class)

2 sharpened pencils with erasers & a pencil sharpener or
Whiteboard marker (dry erase pen)
3 Highlighters (different colors)
Colored Pencils
Binder paper
Your Husky Agenda

2 ball-point pens

ZAP= Zeros Arent Permitted. This is a school-wide program to help ensure you will not miss
out on any important work. It is unacceptable to simply not do or turn in work. You will be
sent to ZAP lunch detention if you do not complete or turn in any assignment.
Assignments:
Homework- Expect to have at least 10-20 minutes of history homework 5 nights a week. There
may be days with more and days with less or none.Homework will always be written on the whiteboard
and needs to be copied into your agenda at the beginning of class every day.
Assignments are designed to practice/ review what you learned in class during the day or prepare
you for tomorrows lesson. Homework will be included in your history notebook. Incomplete or late
homework will affect your grade and may result in ZAP detention.
Late Work- Homework will earn full-credit if it is completed and stamped on the day it is due (at
the very beginning of class). If assignment is completed by Friday it will earn half credit. All
assignments are kept during the week in the history binder and turned into the teacher on the last day of
week, usually Friday. A coversheet and a reflection of the weeks learning will be included in the packet.
I will accept late work for partial credit for a limited time after its due date for half credit for the entire
packet or assignment.
Make-up Work/Tests- Make up work will be provided for any absence. It
is
YOUR responsibility to get the missed work/test from the teacher. You may
speak to me OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME if you are unclear on what you need to
do.
Extra Help:
I am always willing to help you with class work or homework; all you need to do is ASK.
I am usually available during lunch or after school, but scheduling an appointment is a good idea
to ensure my availability.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
o Email (BEST OPTION): jennifer.lopez@salinasuhsd.org.
o School Phone: (831)796- 7300 and ask for Ms. Garcia (Please note: I will not be
able to take calls during class.)
Bathroom Passes/Extra Credit:
Students will receive two bathroom passes each quarter. Passes will not replaced if lost or stolen.
They may also be used in place of a tardy. If not used bathroom passes are worth 20 points of extra
credit at the end of each quarter.
Students may also receive extra credit in the form of A+ Times which are given if a students
goes above and beyond expectations in class and are worth 10 points of extra credit and can be used for
any quarter grade.
Note to Parents/Guardians:

To monitor your childs grades, please contact the front office for a code to access the schools
online grade system.

Since I am also an Instructional Coach on campus, I may be out of the classroom more often in
comparison to other teachers. If you feel this is not suitable for your childs educational needs please contact
the office for a possible schedule change.

If you have specific questions about an assignment, grade, or your childs general progress,
please feel free to contact me. Email is the best option and I will make every attempt to respond within 48
hours. jennifer.lopez@salinasuhsd.org
** Students and Parents: Please sign the below and return the portion to

Ms. Garcia by Tuesday, August 11, 2015.

.......................................................
Confirmation of Policies
Student: I have read and understand Ms. Garcias policies for 2014-2015.

Print student first and last name:_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
Student signature

date

Parent/Guardian: I have read and understand and discussed Ms. Garcias policies with my son/daughter.

Print parent/guardian name:_____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature

date

Parent/guardian email address: __________________________________________________