I have the utmost confidence that poor behavior in the classroom will not be a problem with this year's group of students. Nonetheless, I also want students to understand that in order to have a safe and appropriate classroom environment, it is important that each follows a few simple rules. Each of these is in accordance with the Algood School 5-8 grade code of conduct policy.

1) Arrive on time to each class with all necessary materials. This includes textbooks, paper, pencil, and planner.

2) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. No horseplaying!

3) Follow directions the first time they are given.

4) Talk only when given permission; do not speak while your teacher or classmate is speaking.

5) Food, gum, and drinks are not permitted in the classroom.

Consequences

The demerit system is used to track student behavior. Any violation of the rules in my classroom will result in a demerit.

1 demerit — lose part of free time on Friday

2 demerits — lose all of Friday's free time and make a phone call to parent/guardian

3 demerits — disciplinary referral sent to Mr. Roberson, most likely resulting in detention

Every Monday begins a new week for the demerits. Everyone starts with a clean slate. However, any major violations, such as fighting, blatant disrespect, or profanity will result in an automatic referral to the office.

Rewards

At the end of each nine week reporting period students who have not received a disciplinary report will be able to attend a school sponsored event, such as a student-faculty ballgame, bowling, a field trip, or a fun day.

Make-up Work Policy

If a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to make up the work missed in a timely manner. Students have one day to collect their assignments and then one day for each day absent to complete and return assignments. In other words, if Sally misses school on Tuesday, she has time to get her assignments on Wednesday, and those assignments are due Thursday. However, if Sally was given an English assignment on Monday, and misses Tuesday, the day it is supposed to be turned in, Sally should have the assignment the first day she returns to school as that was work assigned before her absence.

I can not emphasize enough that it is the student's responsibility to get work made up. On this site, I list assignments daily for those who are absent. Also, in my classroom, I have a bulletin board where I post assignments for that day for students who do not have Internet access. If I pass out worksheets, I also make those pages available to students in the back of my room. I even have a special place for students to turn in make-up work. Before and after school, I am available to tutor students who missed a lesson and are having difficulties, and I am available to give students make-up tests. In other words, I make it very easy for students who miss school to make up work. Therefore, I expect the students to take the initiative to get work done.

Late Work

If a student is present when an assignment is given but does not turn it in on time, it is considered late. This includes work left in the student's locker and not brought to class.

The middle school teachers agree that students will be given a demerit when work is not turned in on time. At this point, the student has one day to get the assignment turned in for a late grade. Twenty percent will be deducted from the overall score. However, if students do not turn in the assignment on the second day, they will receive a zero.