Ms. Schweizer's Rules & Procedures
2012 - 2013
Entering the classroom
End of period dismissal
When you need pencil/paper
When you are absent
Assignments
When you finish an assignment early
Sitting at your desk
When a visitor is in the classroom
When a substitute teacher is present
Asking for the restroom/a drink
Asking for help or to leave your seat
Netbook usage/expectations
Room evacuation
Answering questions
Showing respect
Working cooperatively in groups
Receiving something from me or another student
Class discussions
Competitions
Homework/Participation
Transitions
Reprimands
Any infraction of these rules will result in a warning. When possible, you will be asked to write your name on the board to provide a visual warning; the second time, you will be asked to put a check next to your name. If you earn a check, you will lose recess and serve lunch detention. A second check will result in detention. When adding checks to your name, do so quietly and with no attitude whatsoever; attitude will result in an additional check. Parents will receive phone calls regarding behavior.
Additionally, parents will be called for positive behaviors—helping fellow students, regularly being prompt with work, turning in stellar examples of work, showing leadership qualities, and so forth.
- Bring all materials to class each day. You will not be permitted to go to your locker once the bell has rung.
- Walk into the room.
- Take care of sharpening pencils before the bell rings.
- Sit in your assigned seat. Be there before the bell rings.
- No running around the room, silliness, or horseplay will be tolerated at any time. These behaviors will result in your removal from the classroom and/or a phone call home.
- If you are tardy, do not disrupt upon entering. This will result in you being sent out and a phone call home. The following count will start over every nine weeks:
- Tardy one – warning
- Tardy two – phone call home
- Tardy three – detention
- Tardy four and up – dealt with by office
End of period dismissal
- The bell does not dismiss you; I do.
- I will allow you a few seconds before the bell rings to put up your materials.
- If you gather your things before I dismiss you, you will stay after the bell has rung.
When you need pencil/paper
- I do not loan pencils or paper. I travel and therefore do not carry these things from room to room. If you need materials, work it out with a classmate before the bell rings.
- Borrowing from classmates should not become a habit.
When you are absent
- When possible, notify me of any upcoming absences.
- When you return, check with me during the first five minutes of class when students are working on a journal/silent reading/other assignments.
- It is your responsibility to ask me any questions about make-up work on the day you return.
- You will have as many days as you were absent to complete the work (Example: if you were absent for two days, you will have two days before the work is due; anything overdue receives partial credit or a zero).
- Please notify me of absent work directly and via email so that I can give you credit.
Assignments
- Assignments will be completed primarily via netbook. If you have netbook issues, be sure to have backup materials—pencil, paper, etc.
- Because assignments are to be completed on the netbooks, my expectations for your use of this device are extremely high. Netbooks are to be used correctly and for English or Literature class work at all times when in my classroom.
- Title digital assignments as follows: Class Period – Last name, first name – Assignment title
When you finish an assignment early
- Close your netbook or turn your assignment face down on your desk.
- Take out your self-selected reading book.
- Read quietly until further instructions are given.
Sitting at your desk
- You must keep your head up at all times.
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- Do not place your feet on the person’s desk in front of you.
- You will be asked to stand if these procedures are not followed.
When a visitor is in the classroom
- Carry on with the task at hand.
- Please do not ask who the visitor is or why he or she is there. If it is necessary for you to know, I will introduce him or her and his or her purpose to you.
- Be on your best behavior so that the visitor will be impressed with you and with Thompkins Middle School.
- If you begin talking, acting out, etc., you will face disciplinary action.
When a substitute teacher is present
- Treat this person with respect.
- Sit in your assigned seats.
- Carry on with the daily routine.
- Be on your best behavior so that the substitute will be impressed with you and with Thompkins Middle School.
- If a substitute teacher leaves any names for any negative reason, this will result in an automatic after school detention. If a serious behavior infraction occurs, a referral to the office will be given in addition ot the detention.
Asking for the restroom/a drink
- Take care of this during passing period.
- If it is an emergency, bring your agenda book to me to be signed; only 3 sign-outs are allowed per grading period.
Asking for help or to leave your seat
- Do not leave your seat or ask to leave your seat during direct instruction. This is a short, ten-minute period at the start of class during which I am explaining the learning objective for the day.
- Ask three, then me; once you are given the opportunity to begin working on the learning objective, if you have questions about directions, ask three peers unless I state there is to be no talking.
- Once you have asked three peers, if you still have questions, raise your hand and I will help you. Do not leave your seat unless instructed.
- If you see that I am busy helping another student and would like to get help from one of your peers, ask permission. However, there will be times when seeking help from other classmates will not be permitted.
Netbook usage/expectations
- Netbooks are not to be open under any circumstances unless permission is given.
- When instructions are being given, all lids should be closed.
- No student is to walk around the room with their netbook opened. This will increase the risk of damage to your netbook screen.
- The netbook should be used for the lesson that has been assigned to you. You are not to use class time for personal computer needs. This will result in the removal of your netbook privileges for the class period.
Room evacuation
- As soon as the alarm sounds, there should be no talking.
- Line up single file.
- The last person out of the room should turn off the lights and shut the door.
- Proceed to the correct exit and gathering location for each room. Stand silently in line until we are waved back into the building.
Answering questions
- When the teacher calls on someone else to answer, everyone else should put his/her hand down (even if the answer is incorrect).
- Do not talk while someone else is speaking.
Showing respect
- Do not smack your lips, tsk, roll your eyes, or gesture rudely… ever.
- No bullying/teasing—physically or emotionally. It will not be tolerated whatsoever.
Working cooperatively in groups
- We do group work in here on regular occasions.
- Stay with your group.
- Use your indoor voices.
- Pull your own weight—do your own work—participate. You cannot succeed in life if you do not.
- Failure of an individual to do his or her share during a group project will result in that person having to complete the work alone, after school during detention.
Receiving something from me or another student
- When something (anything) is given to you, say “thank you” within three seconds.
- Never ask for a reward.
Class discussions
- Respect others’ opinions, even when they differ from your own. Make statements such as, “I agree with (name of student), and I also feel that…” or “Even though I disagree with (name of student), I think she made a good point; however…”
Competitions
- If you win, do not brag.
- If you lose, do not pout. Congratulate the winner(s).
Homework/Participation
- You cannot succeed in life unless you participate. Participate.
- Homework is part of being a student; therefore, you will occasionally have it.
- Do not moan or complain when assignments are made; you will be given sufficient class time to work. If you do not complete your work in the time allotted, you will logically need to complete it later.
- All students are expected to turn in assignments on the due date. Not having an assignment is unacceptable and will result in a phone call home.
- 3 missing assignments—parent contact will be made. Any missing assignments thereafter will result in a detention until the work is submitted.
- EdEase—please check weekly. Grades will be updated regularly.
Transitions
- When moving from one activity to another, the transitions will be swift, orderly, and quiet.
- Transitions will take no longer than ten seconds. Every second you take from me, I will take from you after the bell.
Reprimands
- If a student is reprimanded or scolded for any reason, do not stare at that student. If you were in trouble, you would not want people to stare at you.
- Do not laugh, egg on, tease, taunt, or otherwise comment upon the disciplinary actions taken in my classroom.
Any infraction of these rules will result in a warning. When possible, you will be asked to write your name on the board to provide a visual warning; the second time, you will be asked to put a check next to your name. If you earn a check, you will lose recess and serve lunch detention. A second check will result in detention. When adding checks to your name, do so quietly and with no attitude whatsoever; attitude will result in an additional check. Parents will receive phone calls regarding behavior.
Additionally, parents will be called for positive behaviors—helping fellow students, regularly being prompt with work, turning in stellar examples of work, showing leadership qualities, and so forth.