Class Policies

Accelerated classes are about learning to express yourself in writing, give presentations, and analyze literature. This will all help you prepare for college. Of course, this requires great effort and determination. Colleges have found that students who take difficult classes are far more likely to succeed in college even if they earned lower grades than students in easier courses. However, I know you want the highest grade possible, so I encourage you to come in for help before or after school any time you need help.

Grading System
Grades will be given according to points earned at the time the grade report is sent home. Final semester grades include points earned for the entire semester (i.e. I do not average the two nine-week grades). Please keep track of your own grade at the back of the classroom.

Materials
Students need to have materials every day. If a student needs to check out a book, that should be done before or after schoool, not in the middle of class when it disrupts the learning of other students

Forbidden Items
Students may not have cell phones out for any reason. If I see a cell phone, I will take disciplinary action in accordance with school policy. The cameras, downloaded pictures, games and noises are disruptive. I do allow music players when students are working independently; however, the student may not take out a phone and use it as a music player.

Class Rules

1. Respect the Room – no food, no drinks, no leaning in chairs, no drawing on desks
2. Respect Others – NO name calling or insulting; be polite; and listen to others when they speak.
3. Work Hard – bring your materials to class, participate in the activities, turn work in on time.

Class Work / Homework-PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Students will complete all work on time to the best of their ability. Homework is due at the beginning of the hour, so work turned in later will be counted as late. The exception is large projects. Students may NOT work on them during the hour, but large projects turned in after school are still counted as on time as long as they are turned in on the due date. The office is open until 4:30, and students may ask the front desk staff to put projects in my mailbox at any time before then. Projects turned in the following morning are late and will be counted for either partial or no credit. When students receive two or more weeks to complete an assignment or project, the project is due on the due date whether or not the student attends school. Please contact the *teacher* immediately if the student will not be in class in order to make sure the work is turned in for credit.

Late Work-PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Homework assignments, creative finals, and daily work will receive NO CREDIT. Major writing assignment or large projects may receive partial credit. Major essays and analytical projects (ones which are not primarily creative or expressive in nature) will have a grace period of one to three days where the student may receive 70% credit. After that period, students may receive 50% credit until a period of not longer than two weeks after the original assignment or until the end of the grading period, whichever comes first. Work will not be accepted after that for any reason.

When students receive two or more weeks to complete an assignment or project, the project is due on the due date whether or not the student attends school. Please contact the *teacher* immediately if the student will not be in class in order to make sure the work is turned in for credit.

Make-Up Work

Missing and late work is the number one reason for low grades in class. Please make sure that you make up your work in a timely fashion. Students have two days to pick up make up work AND speak to the teacher about a reasonable due date or the work will be counted as late.

Contacting the Teacher

Ms. Cannaday
Phone: 623-915-8500 x 7773
Room: 1103/1105 (One room, two doors)
Email: jlcannad@guhsdaz.org

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I turn projects in by email

A: Sure, but realize that email is NOT reliable. If the assignment doesn't reach me or if the school firewall delays delivery so the timestamp is after midnight, you will NOT receive credit. And the chances of that happening are pretty good. Because of virus problems with the school network, large emails and emails with attachments do have trouble with the system. I take no responsibility for anything turned in through email because I expect you to have the work in class.

Q: If I miss, how do I get the homework?

A: (1) Always trade phone numbers with someone in class. That way you can call someone and ask for the homework. (2) See me before or after school. Do NOT try to talk to me between classes because I'm busy thinking about the upcoming class, not the class from the night before. (3) Check for handouts in the back of the classroom.

Q: How often do you update the web page?

A: Not often enough. I'm busy, so sometimes the web page work just has to wait until I have spare time. What I say in class supersedes anything on the web page.

Q: How often to you update grades?

A: I update grades when we have a major project go in the gradebook. If you want to know what your grade is between postings, just see me before or after school or check the Infinite Campus login page. The office can get you the login information if you don't have it.

Q: Is every assignment on the web page?

A: Nope, only the large ones!

Q: Why can other people do the on-line quizzes when they don't work right from my computer?

A: In order for the website to work, your computer has to allow "active" content. If you enable Active X (and no, I don't know how to do this on your computer), you will see the images change when you put your mouse over them and the on-line quizzes will give you grade.

Last Updated on 7-16-2007