Monday, September 13, 2010

ALL: IMPORTANT - new late/missing work policy

Students (and parents),

Unfortunately, not every student is turning in their work on time, and some students are not turning in their work at all.  I want to remind you that you are in high school, and this is the real thing - this semester's grades will be a permanent feature on your high school transcript.  Strong grades will give you more options when you apply to college in a few years; poor grades could reduce your options and be a significant obstacle as you apply to colleges.  Please keep an eye on your long-term goals as you set your priorities on a day to day basis.  Academic success must be your top priority; think of high school as your first full-time job.

Here is the new policy in my courses for late and missing assignments.  Assignments turned in late (after I check them or collect them from the tray at the beginning of class on the day they are due) will earn 50% credit.  So, if you get 4/7 on a reading notes assignment that is turned in late, your actual grade in the system will be the equivalent of 2/7.  No late homework or classwork assignments will be accepted more than one calendar week after the due date; you will earn a zero for these assignments.

Exceptions: Quizzes, projects, and major assignments.  If you miss a quiz due to absence, you MUST make it up immediately after school on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of the following week, or you will lose 10% of credit on that quiz (parent-validated emergency situations are the only exception).  Projects turned in late will lose 10% of possible points each day they are late, up to half credit (50%).  All quizzes, projects, and major assignments (generally defined as worth at least 20 points) are mandatory.  A zero on a quiz or project could prevent you from passing the course.

New policy grace period: Because this is a new policy, I will accept late assignments from the first three weeks of school (8/23 through 9/13) for half credit until Monday, 9/20.  After 9/20, all missing assignments from the first three weeks will become permanent zeroes.

Please email me with any questions or concerns.  I will be emailing parents tonight or tomorrow if their student is missing more than one assignment.

Sincerely,

Mr. McCarl

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