Welcome to Mr. Shields’ class. Please read over the following rules and
become familiar with them.
So that we understand each other from the start, NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED
TO KEEP THE TEACHER FROM TEACHING OR THE STUDENTS FROM LEARNING. This is the
law (see Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2911; §15-507; §15-521; §15-841).
Classroom Rules
1. Be Prompt.
a. In seat when the bell rings to begin class.
b. Quiet and attentive.
c. Constructive use of time.
d. Remain in seat until the bell rings to end class.
2. Be Prepared.
a. Three ringed binder or notebook.
b. Paper.
c. Black or dark blue ink pen.
d. Number two pencil.
e. Necessary textbooks for the day’s lesson.
f. Completed homework assignment(s) due that day.
3. Be Courteous.
a. No talking without permission.
b. No use of vulgar or distasteful language. (This includes swearing
or any harassing comments.)
c. Do not throw any objects of any kind anywhere within the room.
d. Do not leave your seat for any reason without Mr. Shields’ permission.
e. Do not step behind Mr. Shields’ desk or enter his work area without
his permission.
f. No food or drink allowed in the classroom.
g. No hats or sunglasses worn in the classroom.
h. No markings of any kind in any textbooks or on any school property.
i. No “farding” (a stage term for primping). In other words, no use of
cosmetics, mirrors, nail polish, combs, brushes, dental floss, etc.
4. Be Successful.
a. Listen the first time instructions are given.
b. Enforce school and classroom rules.
c. Be responsible for yourself and your own work.
d. Complete work in an accurate and timely manner.
Classroom Discipline Policy
1. Tardies will be handled in accordance with school policies.
2. Cheating and plagiarism will be handled in accordance with school
policies.
3. Preparedness
a. Bring all required books, assignments, and writing materials to class
each day.
b. Be aware that it is not Mr. Shields’ responsibility to supply you
with pens, pencils, and/or paper. Come prepared to work.
c. Sufficient time will always be allotted for work assigned. Therefore
no assignments will be accepted after the due date and no credit will
be given. If a student is in class on the day an assignment is
given, but is absent on the day it is due, that assignment will be
due immediately upon the student’s return to class.
d. Students will receive one day for each excused absence to make up
assignments incurred during an illness or absence. No credit will be
given for assignments returned thereafter. Arrangements for make up
work assigned during extended absences (five consecutive days or
more) will be made by the teacher, student, and parent/guardian.
e. Any quizzes or tests missed due to an absence must be made up outside
of the regularly scheduled class time (i.e., before school, during
lunch, after school).
Courteousness
a. Hats, sunglasses, cell phones, personal entertainment devices,
cosmetics, or other items unrelated to the class will be
confiscated. Students may reclaim the item(s) before or after
school. In the case of a second infraction of this rule, the item
will be held and returned only after a parent/teacher conference
has been held.
b. Food and/or drinks will be confiscated and thrown away.
c. Students who are not in their seats when the bell rings to begin
class will receive fifteen minutes detention.
d. Students who leave their seats without permission will receive thirty
minutes detention.
e. Students who throw any objects of any kind will receive thirty
minutes detention.
f. Students who step behind Mr. Shields’ desk or enter his work area
without permission will receive thirty minutes detention.
g. Students who swear or use other distasteful language will receive
thirty minutes detention.
h. As per school policy, students will be assessed monetary damages
(through the administrative office) for defacement of school
property. Marks on desks, tables, or walls will be cleaned by the
responsible party before or after school.
i. Classroom disruptions will result in the following:
1. Student receives a verbal warning.
2. Student will be isolated from the other students.
3. Student will be issued a detention commensurate with the
offence.
4. Student non-compliance with the detention owed will result in
a student referral for administrative action.
5. Serious infractions of either the school’s or my classroom
rules will result in an immediate referral for
administrative action.
Grading Policy
a. A student’s grade will be based on his or her performance in the
following categories:
Type of Assignment / Percentage of Overall Grade
Homework & In-Class Assignments 10%
Accelerated Reader 5%
Vocabulary 10%
Quizzes 10%
Tests 20%
Writing Assignments 25%
Final Examination 20%
b. Final letter grades will be expressed on reports according to the
following scale:
Percent / Letter Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
c. In order to facilitate the learning process, students may
occasionally be asked to evaluate one another’s work. Parents who do
not wish to have their student’s class work reviewed by other
students should notify Mr. Shields of this in writing.
