Ms. Hulsman's Classroom Policies

Attendance, Preparation, and Participation: Students are expected to attend class regularly, as long as they are in good health, whether class activities are conducted on-site or via distance learning. (Please see the section on absences below for more specific guidance as to how unavoidable absences from class--both on-site and via distance learning--will be handled.) It is important that students have on hand all of the basic tools that are normally needed in a typical class session, and it is equally important that they are mentally prepared to focus on the instructional activities. By applying past knowledge to new situations, thinking flexibly, persisting, managing impulses, and taking responsible risks, students will be able to participate fully and productively.

Conduct: Showing respect for others and self is really the basis of all classroom "rules." When students show respect, they use polite language, leave others' belongings alone, bring all needed materials and supplies to class, stay on task, and wait for/listen politely to others.

Assignment and Project Completion: Students are expected to complete all assignments and projects to the best of their ability and to submit them by the time they are due. If, for any reason, a student cannot submit completed work by the due date, the student must contact me to discuss the situation. I will work with the student (and the student's parents, as needed) to adjust due dates and/or assignment expectations.

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating is obtaining or intentionally giving unauthorized information to create an unfair advantage on an assignment, project, or assessment. Cheating is different than collaboration. When students are permitted to collaborate on an assignment or project, they are specifically allowed and encouraged to work together so that all students in the group benefit equally. Cheating, on the other hand, benefits one student or group unfairly and/or without the knowledge of the victim. Plagiarism is the act of presenting and claiming words, data, or the creations of others as one's own. Plagiarism may be intentional (as in falsely claiming authorship) or unintentional (as in failure to cite a source). Using the exact or nearly exact wording of another author constitutes plagiarism; that is, you may not simply change a small word here and there in order to avoid being accused of plagiarism. If you are in doubt as to whether to identify any phrases, sentences, or paragraphs in your writing as the work of another author, go ahead and cite! Cheating and plagiarism are both serious academic misdeeds, and I will take appropriate actions if I observe, discover, or suspect that cheating or plagiarism has taken place.

Absences from Class: Due to the reality of illnesses and other unforeseen events, I understand that there may be some occasions when students may not be able to attend classes either on-site or via distance learning. Students and their families should make every reasonable effort to avoid student absences; however, in the event of an unavoidable absence, the student should check our online platforms (Google Classroom, Otus, etc.) to determine what work has been assigned. If the student is well enough and has all of the necessary materials, the student should complete the work to the best of their ability. If illness is severe and/or the student will be away from school for more than a day or two, the student or parent/guardian should contact me to determine how to proceed regarding missed work. As needed, I can make individual arrangements which may include extending due dates and/or simplifying/shortening the length of one or more assignments. In rare instances, I may excuse the student from some missed work; however, you should never assume that missed work does not have to be completed! The student will remain responsible for all missed work until officially excused from it (i.e., until there is a written message from me that the student is excused).

Grade Disputes: I make every effort to maintain an accurate record of all grades earned by my students; however, I am human, and I do occasionally make mistakes. For this reason, it is important that you hold onto all graded assignments, projects, and assessments until you receive your final grades each term. If you believe I have made a mistake on your grade report, please bring it to my attention and show me the evidence (i.e., the specific graded assignments, projects, and/or assessments that you feel support your argument). I will review my records and your evidence, and if I determine that I have made a mistake, I will correct it without delay.