course Expectations
Please read my expectations for you as a student concerning:
- Attendance
- Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)
- Homework
- Classroom procedures
- Grading
- Academic Integrity
- Citizenship
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be seated at their desks, ready to learn, at the designated start time of the class. A student is considered tardy if, at the start of the block, the student is not ready to learn in the manner expected by the teacher in that room. Absences, tardies and classroom departures are one of the few things that make Mr. Grande GRUMPY!
Classroom departures: Students must be present for the first and last 10 minutes of class. If you must leave the room for water, bathroom, visit to the nurse or any other reason, you must sign out, indicating your name and time, and sign in upon return. Departures should be short! Departures should be infrequent; there should not be a pattern of departing. Departures will impact your quarterly citizenship grade. Bring a filled water bottle to class. Recording daily attendance includes a new designation, “DA,” to record extended departures (10 minutes or more).
Absences: Attendance and participation is crucial to success community belonging — you need to be in class to achieve the benefits. After 19 total absences (excused or unexcused), you may not earn credit for this course and must repeat the course.
Unexcused absences (AWOL): AWOL students must meet with Mr. Grande outside of class time. After 5 AWOLs you fail the course. AWOLs must be cleared within 10 days.
Excused absences: It is your responsibility to check the syllabus/Canvas if you are absent. Homework is due the day you get back from an excused absence, unless you have an authorized note indicating work could not be done for a legitimate reason. If you miss a quiz or assessment due to an excused absence, prepare to complete it on the day you return.
Tardiness: You are expected to be seated when class begins. If you begin to be tardy regularly, you are expected to spend time making up work after school with Mr. Grande and contact will be made with an adult at home and Dean.
Consequences for tardies and excessive departures: Beginning week 3, tardies and excessive departures will result in the following consequences:
Students are expected to be seated at their desks, ready to learn, at the designated start time of the class. A student is considered tardy if, at the start of the block, the student is not ready to learn in the manner expected by the teacher in that room. Absences, tardies and classroom departures are one of the few things that make Mr. Grande GRUMPY!
Classroom departures: Students must be present for the first and last 10 minutes of class. If you must leave the room for water, bathroom, visit to the nurse or any other reason, you must sign out, indicating your name and time, and sign in upon return. Departures should be short! Departures should be infrequent; there should not be a pattern of departing. Departures will impact your quarterly citizenship grade. Bring a filled water bottle to class. Recording daily attendance includes a new designation, “DA,” to record extended departures (10 minutes or more).
Absences: Attendance and participation is crucial to success community belonging — you need to be in class to achieve the benefits. After 19 total absences (excused or unexcused), you may not earn credit for this course and must repeat the course.
Unexcused absences (AWOL): AWOL students must meet with Mr. Grande outside of class time. After 5 AWOLs you fail the course. AWOLs must be cleared within 10 days.
Excused absences: It is your responsibility to check the syllabus/Canvas if you are absent. Homework is due the day you get back from an excused absence, unless you have an authorized note indicating work could not be done for a legitimate reason. If you miss a quiz or assessment due to an excused absence, prepare to complete it on the day you return.
Tardiness: You are expected to be seated when class begins. If you begin to be tardy regularly, you are expected to spend time making up work after school with Mr. Grande and contact will be made with an adult at home and Dean.
Consequences for tardies and excessive departures: Beginning week 3, tardies and excessive departures will result in the following consequences:
- Tardy 1: Teacher will remind student of expectations
- Tardy 2: Teacher will give student another reminder with a quick conversation about expectations
- Tardy 3: Teacher will talk with the student and let them know the teacher will be emailing/calling home. Teacher emails/calls home.
- Tardy 4: Teacher will assign the student a detention:
- The student will serve detention on the day assigned after conversation with the teacher regarding schedule conflicts. Schedule conflicts do not include athletic or extracurricular commitments.
- If students do not attend their assigned detention, educators will request Dean intervention.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDs)
Personal electronic devices (PED) include, but are not limited to, smart phones/watches, laptops, tablets, earbuds, headphones, any audio-visual recording devices such as cameras, etc. The use of technology and personal electronic devices can serve as an educational tool, and can interfere with learning, our primary goal. In this classroom, only laptops or tablets are allowed, and only when authorized (unless explicitly permitted by Mr. Grande in a specific, limited situation). The guidelines here are consistent with school rules as stated in the student handbook.
Laptops and tablets will be used for class work. However, when Mr. Grande asks that they be lowered, students must comply. Further, they may only be used for classwork, not communicating with others (including caregivers and parents) for anything but classwork.
Beginning week 3:
Students using PEDs while in class without permission can have their PEDs confiscated by their teacher for the remainder of the period.
Personal electronic devices (PED) include, but are not limited to, smart phones/watches, laptops, tablets, earbuds, headphones, any audio-visual recording devices such as cameras, etc. The use of technology and personal electronic devices can serve as an educational tool, and can interfere with learning, our primary goal. In this classroom, only laptops or tablets are allowed, and only when authorized (unless explicitly permitted by Mr. Grande in a specific, limited situation). The guidelines here are consistent with school rules as stated in the student handbook.
Laptops and tablets will be used for class work. However, when Mr. Grande asks that they be lowered, students must comply. Further, they may only be used for classwork, not communicating with others (including caregivers and parents) for anything but classwork.
Beginning week 3:
Students using PEDs while in class without permission can have their PEDs confiscated by their teacher for the remainder of the period.
- Violation 1: Teacher will remind student of classroom expectations
- Violation 2: Teacher will put the student's phone in the classroom caddy or other classroom location
- Violation 3: Teacher will put the student’s phone in the classroom caddy or in another place in the classroom and email the student and their caregivers about the infraction.
- Violation 4: Teacher will email student and their caregivers again, include deans and support team, with a classroom plan for PED storage
HOMEWORK
Daily assignment: Homework will be assigned on some weekdays, and infrequently over the weekend. All work must be completed as a Google Doc. (unless otherwise indicated) and submitted on Canvas by the start of class on the date due in order to receive credit. If you do not have internet access, or completing work digitally is a hardship, please arrange for paper copies with Mr. Grande. (Homework grading is described ahead.)
Late assignments: You will have until the end of the unit to submit late work on Canvas. It will only be accepted if it includes a note in the "Assignment Comments" in Canvas explaining why it is late (otherwise it remains a 0).
Revising homework to improve your grade: You may revise and resubmit assignments, until the end of a unit after a discussion with Mr. Grande who will determine if that is appropriate. Mr. Grande will raise a grade if the revision demonstrates a stronger understanding. A resubmission must include a note in the comment box (Canvas submission) explaining why you resubmitted.
Daily assignment: Homework will be assigned on some weekdays, and infrequently over the weekend. All work must be completed as a Google Doc. (unless otherwise indicated) and submitted on Canvas by the start of class on the date due in order to receive credit. If you do not have internet access, or completing work digitally is a hardship, please arrange for paper copies with Mr. Grande. (Homework grading is described ahead.)
Late assignments: You will have until the end of the unit to submit late work on Canvas. It will only be accepted if it includes a note in the "Assignment Comments" in Canvas explaining why it is late (otherwise it remains a 0).
Revising homework to improve your grade: You may revise and resubmit assignments, until the end of a unit after a discussion with Mr. Grande who will determine if that is appropriate. Mr. Grande will raise a grade if the revision demonstrates a stronger understanding. A resubmission must include a note in the comment box (Canvas submission) explaining why you resubmitted.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Electronics, food and water bottles
When you arrive in class:
Learning:
Electronics, food and water bottles
- Phones are concealed BEFORE entering the classroom. There is no reason to use a phone in class.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to class each day — I do not permit purchased water bottles in the room: single use plastic is environmentally destructive and messes up the classroom. This is a strict policy.
- No food or drink (besides water) is permitted in the classroom. We focus on stimulating the brain, not the stomach.
When you arrive in class:
- Class begins on time. See the agenda on the screen with instructions and get started! Open your laptop and access homework or documents we have been working on.
Learning:
- If you are not meeting the learning expectations, I will ask that you come after school for support. SPORTS, DRAMA, ETC ARE NOT AN EXCUSE to skip after school support.
GRADING
Portfolio:
Homework grading: Common, daily assignments are worth 10 points maximum using the following rubric.
- Homework, Projects, Essays and quizzes: 60%
- End of unit Portfolios: 30%
- Citizenship/End of quarter reflection 10%
Portfolio:
- I will not give tests in this class. For most units you will create an end-of-unit portfolio page that summarizes your understanding from that unit. You'll create your portfolio as a Google site, and add a page to your portfolio for each unit.
Homework grading: Common, daily assignments are worth 10 points maximum using the following rubric.
- 10=did my best work and strongly met or exceeded expectations; responses were detailed and thorough
- 8-9=completed requirement and demonstrated understanding
- 6-7=I did less than was required
- 0=did not submit properly
- Students must give 48 hours notice if they have two or more tests or essays scheduled on the day of a history test if they wish to take it on another day. Students must take the exam within 48 hours of a scheduled test and may take an alternate version of the test.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
We at BHS believe that people learn more effectively and build strength of character by doing their own reading, writing, test taking, research, and assignments. Students gain the most from their education by evaluating, reflecting on, and revising their own work. We also recognize that students frequently work with others as part of a group project or to seek help, and that sometimes what constitutes cheating or plagiarism can be confusing. This clarification of cheating and plagiarism is designed to prevent students from damaging their credibility, their academic record, and their future prospects. It is also intended to support your progress as a learner. Our expectation is that students maintain individual accountability without misrepresenting their work and integrity. Brookline High School has a strong policy to address cheating and plagiarism, as described in the handbook. These pages clarify that policy, provides examples and includes a pledge to uphold that policy that students are asked to sign at the end.
Consequences for infractions in academic integrity (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) are described in Rule 1.3 in the The Handbook of BHS, "No Academic Dishonesty."
Academic dishonesty in Social Studies learning environments:
The following are examples of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism in relation to learning in BHS Social Studies classes and is not exhaustive. Social Studies teachers may add to or elaborate on these rules for specific assignments.
CONSEQUENCES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF THE HONOR CODE
Offense #1: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment. Letter goes in student's permanent file. Student may redo the assignment for up to 50% credit.
Offense #2: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment; and another zero, equal to the value of the assignment on which there was cheating, is averaged into the quarter grade. Letter goes in student's permanent file.
Offense #3: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting will be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student fails the quarter for the course in which the offense took place. Letter goes in student's permanent file. All subsequent offenses receive the punishment described under Offense #3. In addition, coaches, advisors and others who supervise a student in extra-curricular activities outside of the school may be notified, and consequences will be up to their discretion.
We at BHS believe that people learn more effectively and build strength of character by doing their own reading, writing, test taking, research, and assignments. Students gain the most from their education by evaluating, reflecting on, and revising their own work. We also recognize that students frequently work with others as part of a group project or to seek help, and that sometimes what constitutes cheating or plagiarism can be confusing. This clarification of cheating and plagiarism is designed to prevent students from damaging their credibility, their academic record, and their future prospects. It is also intended to support your progress as a learner. Our expectation is that students maintain individual accountability without misrepresenting their work and integrity. Brookline High School has a strong policy to address cheating and plagiarism, as described in the handbook. These pages clarify that policy, provides examples and includes a pledge to uphold that policy that students are asked to sign at the end.
Consequences for infractions in academic integrity (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) are described in Rule 1.3 in the The Handbook of BHS, "No Academic Dishonesty."
Academic dishonesty in Social Studies learning environments:
The following are examples of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism in relation to learning in BHS Social Studies classes and is not exhaustive. Social Studies teachers may add to or elaborate on these rules for specific assignments.
- Copying someone else’s homework OR allowing someone else to copy your homework or classwork.
- Taking images or information about an assessment for later or shared use, without explicit permission from your teacher.
- Using resources that are not permitted on an assessment. For example:
- Using notes on assessments that are not intended to be open-notes
- Using other internet browser tabs while working on a computer-based assessment
- Using applications/websites such as ChatGPT, similar AI, or on-line forums to complete any assignment, without explicit permission from the teacher
- Giving copies of any course materials to students who have not taken the course
- Taking course materials from students who have already completed the course
- Using exact language, paraphrasing and/or rewording from another source without proper acknowledgement (such as quotation marks and citation). Students should be aware that even unintentional use of others' language may result in an accusation of plagiarism. This rule holds for any draft or outline of a writing assignment, from first to final, if it is submitted for a grade.
- Citing nonexistent sources such as articles and books or inventing results for an experiment.
- Submitting portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one course without consulting both teachers.
- Deceiving with a false reason or excuse, forging a signature or falsely reporting an absence or tardy to get an extension on an exam, paper or assignment.
- Speaking with a student about a test or a quiz who has already taken it or providing information to a student who has not yet taken it
CONSEQUENCES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF THE HONOR CODE
Offense #1: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment. Letter goes in student's permanent file. Student may redo the assignment for up to 50% credit.
Offense #2: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment; and another zero, equal to the value of the assignment on which there was cheating, is averaged into the quarter grade. Letter goes in student's permanent file.
Offense #3: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting will be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student fails the quarter for the course in which the offense took place. Letter goes in student's permanent file. All subsequent offenses receive the punishment described under Offense #3. In addition, coaches, advisors and others who supervise a student in extra-curricular activities outside of the school may be notified, and consequences will be up to their discretion.
CITIZENSHIP
Classroom, learning is participatory and communal—we advance together, struggle together and work towards a positive environment together. This requires CITIZENSHIP: individuals working to strengthen our classroom community and staying aware of how one's actions impact others. CITIZENS are engaged and freely express views.
I expect that you will contribute to making our community safe and intellectually challenging. I expect that students will not use language that is insulting, derogatory or makes others feel uncomfortable, including comments that denigrate people by race, nationality, religion and gender identity — EVEN IF IT IS NOT DIRECTED AT A CLASSROOM MEMBER. I expect that students who hear or witness behavior or speech that denigrates others will speak up and protect the norms of a safe and respectful classroom. I expect that students will strive to listen to views and experiences that are different and assume they lack knowledge and insight into others' experiences. I expect that each student will strive to use the preferred gender pronouns of their classmates. I expect that you will welcome, and make an effort to feel a part of the classroom community, new students and guests (in person or virtual).
At the end of each quarter, you will reflect on your learning from that quarter and evaluate how well you performed as a classroom citizen:
Classroom, learning is participatory and communal—we advance together, struggle together and work towards a positive environment together. This requires CITIZENSHIP: individuals working to strengthen our classroom community and staying aware of how one's actions impact others. CITIZENS are engaged and freely express views.
I expect that you will contribute to making our community safe and intellectually challenging. I expect that students will not use language that is insulting, derogatory or makes others feel uncomfortable, including comments that denigrate people by race, nationality, religion and gender identity — EVEN IF IT IS NOT DIRECTED AT A CLASSROOM MEMBER. I expect that students who hear or witness behavior or speech that denigrates others will speak up and protect the norms of a safe and respectful classroom. I expect that students will strive to listen to views and experiences that are different and assume they lack knowledge and insight into others' experiences. I expect that each student will strive to use the preferred gender pronouns of their classmates. I expect that you will welcome, and make an effort to feel a part of the classroom community, new students and guests (in person or virtual).
At the end of each quarter, you will reflect on your learning from that quarter and evaluate how well you performed as a classroom citizen:
- ON TIME: Are you ready to learn when class begins?
- REMAIN IN CLASS: Do you rarely leave class for bathroom, locker, water fountain or other reason?
- CELL PHONE: Do you keep your cell phone, ear buds and other devices concealed?
- DISRUPTION/DISTRACTION: Do you minimize disruption, distraction and off-topic talk to others? Do you listen mindfully to classmates during group and full class discussion?
- CHROME BOOKS: Do you use your Chrome book/Laptop only for classwork while class is in session?
- FOOD AND DRINK: Do you refrain from bringing non-reusable water bottles (purchased water) or food to class?
- PRODUCTIVITY: Do you work hard during class and use class time productively? Do you seek help when needed (from teacher or classmates)?
- PARTICIPATION: Do you raise your hand to answer questions or seek help when you need it? Do you treat classroom members respectfully?
- COLLABORATION: Do you collaborate actively with all other students?
- OWNERSHIP OVER YOUR LEARNING: Do you take the initiative to find out what you missed from being out of class or if you are not tracking what we are doing during class? Do you initiative conversation with Mr. Grande is you are behind in homework or scored a C or below on an assessment?