Mr. Semaya’s Classroom West Essex Middle School North Caldwell, NJ CLASSROOM PROCEDURES Mr. Semaya’s Classroom West Essex Middle School North Caldwell, NJ

FOREWORD Welcome to Mr. Semaya’s class. I am here to teach; you are here to learn. I will do my job; you will do yours, and we will work together to have a great year. “My teacher thought I was smarter than I was – so I was.” -- unknown

WHY DO WE HAVE PROCEDURES? A procedure is the way that we do things. To do things right, we have to follow some simple procedures, for example: To open your locker, you have to select your combination as directed by the lock manufacturer. To place a call on your phone, you need to enter the number in the right order. So, to be successful in learning, you need to follow some simple procedures.

ENTRANCE Make sure you have all necessary materials. Say ‘Hello’ when entering the classroom and then remain quiet. Go directly to your assigned seat. Get ready for your work.

RIGHT AFTER THE BELL RINGS Immediately start the ‘Do Now’ that will be displayed. Do the ‘Do Now’ in your notebooks. When you finish, wait quietly for the next direction.

DURING INSTRUCTION Listen with full attention. No pencil sharpening, talking, or whispering. Use class time wisely to take notes Ask permission to speak by raising your hand. Ask questions related to the subject. Other questions which are not related to the subject can be asked after instruction. After instruction, make sure you understand the concept. If not, ask questions by mentioning which part you didn‘t understand.

WHILE YOU ARE WORKING Make sure you read or listen to the directions about your work and understand them. If you didn’t understand, ask help from other students sitting around you. If they also don’t understand, ask the teacher to explain it. If you are asked to help, be polite and kind and helpful as possible. Talking to each other should be no louder than a whisper. The person sitting on the other side of the room should not be interrupted by your noise. Respect each other and be friendly. Use your time wisely. Put forth your best effort to finish your work on time.

IF THE TEACHER RAISES HIS HAND Stop whatever you are doing at that moment. Face the teacher and wait silently. Notify any classmates who haven’t noticed that the teacher has raised his hand. No talking or whispering. All of your attention should be given to the teacher.

AFTER YOU ARE DONE Check your work and the directions one more time to see if you missed anything or did something incorrectly. If the assignment is to be turned in, do so. Start a reading session. (Read a book, magazine, etc.) This is the only time work for other classes can be done (with permission from Mr.Semaya)

DISMISSAL Clean your work area. Wait for Mr. Semaya to dismiss you. The ring of the bell does not dismiss you. After you get permission to leave, log-off, push in your chair and leave quietly.

HOMEWORK PROCEDURE Homework will be assigned if students are not able to finish activities in class on the day assigned. Students will be responsible for properly preparing for quizzes, as well any project work assigned.

WHEN YOU ARE TARDY Enter quickly and quietly and get to work. Please do not disrupt your classmates. Inform Mr. Semaya of your excuse or give him your tardy pass at the end of class. You will not be excused from any work you missed. Get the notes or assignment from a classmate and do it at home.

WHEN YOU ARE ABSENT Get the assignments and notes from your classmates. Do any make-up work at home. If you missed a quiz because of your excused absence, inform Mr. Semaya and arrange a time to make up the test after school. You will not be able to make up any work if you have an unexcused absence. You will get a “0” for those assignments.

CLASSROOM RULES 1 of 2 School-wide classroom rules are in the student handbook: Be ON-TIME to class. Say “hello” and “goodbye” upon entering and leaving the classroom. Push in your chair or return chair to the table. Always ask permission to use the printers (color or black and white). Sign out quickly and quietly to use the restroom; please do not abuse use of the bathroom or disrupt class. Only one student at a time may use the restroom.

CLASSROOM RULES 2 of 2 Do Not… Use a mobile phone. Play games on your computers unless instructed to do so. Play games or be on a website that is not a part of the daily assignment. Curse Talk during a presentation of another student. Be rude or disrespectful. Cheat on exams or assignments.

CONSEQUENCES Warning Conference with Student Detention Parent Contact Referral to Administration

GRADING Grading Policy Quizzes / Projects 90% Homework 10%

HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR! MR. SEMAYA Engage in active learning, which requires you to do more than just listen. Instead, you should come to class prepared to read, write, discuss, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate. Employ your critical reasoning skills to do things and to think about what you are doing. Always come prepared to participate. MR. SEMAYA