Mrs. Duke

To:        FHS Mathematics Students & Parents

From:    FHS Mathematics Department

Re:         Math Department Policy & Procedures

The ability to apply mathematical applications to everyday life is a developed skill that requires repetition and practice to master. Whether you are simply balancing a checkbook or reviewing the corporation's financial statements, the basic skills of math are developed in the classroom and practiced in homework. In order for a student to have a successful experience in mathematics at FHS, the following are the policies and procedures adopted by the FHS Mathematics Department.

Please read these carefully because they apply to all students. NO exceptions will be made!

1. All students are required to have a graphing calculator. The TI-83 Plus or TI-84 is recommended and supported by the math department faculty. If a student chooses to use a different graphing calculator, then they are responsible for knowing how to perform the mathematical functions on that calculator. In addition, students may not use the TI-89, TI-92 or any calculators with advanced programming capabilities. If they choose to bring an unacceptable calculator to class, it will be picked up by the teacher and returned when the teacher feels appropriate.

2. All students are required to arrive to class on time (before the tardy bell) prepared for class with their books, calculators, homework, pencil, and spiral notebook to record classroom notes. The students will not be allowed to return to their lockers for any forgotten materials.

3. Showing work is required for all problems, whether homework, quizzes or tests. Credit will not be given for just having the correct answer.

4. Grades are available online and can be accessed through the district website. You will need to know the students ID and pin number to access the information. 

5. All test grades count twice and quiz grades count once in the test category. In Algebra 1, Tests and Quizzes make up 75% of the 9-weeks grade; daily grades make up the remaining 25%.

In Math Models, Tests and Quizzes make up 80% of the 9-weeks grade; daily grades make up the remaining 20%.

6. There will be a minimum of 16 homework assignments taken each 9-weeks. However, the maximum number of homework assignments will vary because the total number of daily assignments after 16 is at the discretion of the individual teacher.

7. There will be a 9-weeks test at the end of the 1^st 9-weeks and the 3^rd-9-weeks, which will be used to replace the lowest grade in the test category. This means it could replace an entire quiz or half a test grade, since the test grades are recorded twice. If the 9-weeks test grade is the lowest grade, then it will be the grade that is dropped.              

8. There is a comprehensive semester final at the end of the 2nd 9-weeks and 4th 9-weeks, which will be used to determine the semester grade as follows:

·        1st Semester- 1st 9-weeks (40%), 2nd 9-weeks (40%), Semester Final (20%)

·        2nd Semester- 3rd 9-weeks (40%), 4th 9-weeks (40%), Semester Final (20%)

9. Make-up work (daily) is only accepted for absences, in accordance with the Mustang Manual.  A student has as many days to make-up work as he/she was absent, but a maximum of five days. (Ex: If a student is absent six days or more, all make-up work must be completed within five school days of his/her return.) Work that was assigned prior to the student’s absence is due upon their return. 

10. Late work will be taken for ½ credit if it is handed in before 8:30 a.m., the day after it was due. 

11. For absences due to school business (athletics, fieldtrips, competitions, etc.), all school work is to be made up in advance of the absence or it is to be due upon the day of return. Otherwise it will be considered late work.      

12. Any missed test or quiz is to be made up by the end of the following week, no exceptions. Make-up Quizzes and Tests will be taken either before or after school in the math make-up center. Test & Quiz make-up sessions are offered six (6) times per week in the math make-up center, during the times as follows:

              Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

      7:25-8:25 a.m. or 3:55-4:45 p.m.

·        The room location for the Make-up Center changes each week, however a schedule is posted on the math department bulletin board, in each teacher’s classroom, and on teacher’s web page.

·        Students are to arrive within the first 10 minutes of a testing session with their ID’s, calculators and pencils. Failure to do so may result in the denial to take a make-up.

13. Departmental tutorials are offered on Tuesday afternoons (3:50-4:40) with Mrs. Morris in room  131, and again on Friday mornings (7:35-8:25) with Dr. Crotteau in room 2002. This is provided to the students to assist them with any specific questions or problems they may have on their homework. This is not an opportunity to reteach an entire lesson. Additional tutorials are provided by teachers according to their schedules. Online lessons/tutoring are available for each section of the Prentice Hall Algebra 1 textbook. The details will be discussed in class and a link placed on the teacher web-site.

14. Additional tutoring outside of FHS is at the discretion of the individual student and his/her parents. Possible contacts for tutoring may be obtained via the Counseling Center.                                                                                       
15. CELL PHONES, CD PLAYERS, iPODs, etc. are NOT allowed to be out, on, or used in the classroom. FHS policies will be enforced with respect to these items.
16. Math Models Students are required to have notebook to hold notes, assignments, vocabulary, tests, quizzes, and other important information.  This notebook will be turned in at the end of the 9 weeks grading period for a QUIZ grade.