Welcome to U.S. History!

Community Our classroom is a community. For a community to be successful there are several key components that need to be present. We need to listen to each other, respect each other, encourage each other. My goal, which I hope you join in with, is to make this classroom a fun and comfortable environment to be in for the next 20 weeks.

Community Issues Please do not touch other people’s stuff. (Yes this includes a “tacoed” back pack). Please listen when someone else is talking…other students, Mrs. Miesch, the announcements, or a guest speaker.

Community Continued When doing good news please do not shoot down someone else's good news. When working in a group, be the best group member you can possibly be. Be a hard worker who is a team player.

Suggested Materials Loose-leaf paper and pens. One 3- Ring binder for this class exclusively. This is a cumulative course so you need to keep all your materials organized! One set of Tabs for binder. One package of note cards Please come see me if you need help getting materials… I love school supplies!

Computer Use You will be held responsible to the technology user agreement you signed in registration. Any misconduct will result in your lost privilege of technology here at RHS. We will use Moodle in this class. You will need to turn assignments in on Moodle as well as check for important information. On Monday we are in the lab to learn how to use Moodle…PLEASE be here!

Food Policy (Water is okay). There is no food or drinks allowed in any classroom. We have lovely new carpet. I won’t get new carpet for probably another 20 years! So NO DRINKS OR FOOD! (Water is okay).

Test Policy If you are absent the day of a test, you must be ready to take the test on the day you return. If you prefer to take tests in the Academic Center or ELL please let me know .

Cheating and Plagiarizing Cheating and Plagiarizing will result in a zero on the assignment. Parents will be notified and disciplinary action will be taken. Let’s be men and women of integrity. Claiming you did the work and you didn’t is cheating. Having other students, tutors, or your family do your work is cheating. Cheating applies to homework as well as projects and tests.

Extra Help If you need to meet with me for help, make an appointment. Let me know when you can stay after school or come in early. I will help you study for tests either individually or with a group. I don’t know you need help unless you ask. If you usually take your tests in the Academic Center or ELL please let me know so I can make arrangements. I need to send the tests there, and sign up a time so I need to know ahead of Test day.

IPods– May be used when Mrs. Miesch allows IPods– May be used when Mrs. Miesch allows. Please do not leave your ear buds in even if your IPod is off. Cell Phones– Please turn off cell phones when you enter the building. If phones are used they will be taken to the office in compliance with the cell phone policy of RHS. First offence parents are called.

Missing & Late Work Missing Work- Late work will be docked points. Please speak with me to set up a plan if you are missing work. I am a reasonable woman. I want you to do the work and get the points…let’s work something out!

Attendance The student is responsible for all missing work. two tardies count as one unexcused absence. Students will take a “0” for any work due or assigned if it is an unexcused absence. If you are exempt you must come to me before your are gone to check what you are missing.

Inappropriate Language Language if you decide to use inappropriate language in my class you will clean my room after school. Also repeated offences will result in a report filed to the office.

Textbook & Note taking Textbook– Bring it everyday! Unless I notify you that we will not need a book. Note Taking- We will take notes in this class. If you typically struggle with taking notes, please come speak with me and we will work something out!

Grading Scale The Scale I use is consistent with the Rochester community schools grading scale. You can view this on the district website. www.rochester.k12.mi.us

Miscellaneous housekeeping issues Please push in your chairs after class, 6th hour put them on the tables. Please pick up any garbage on your table or floor around your table. After using staplers, tape, hole punch, or other supplies please put them back where you got them.

Housekeeping continued Do not line up at the door….EVER! Do not touch the thermostat…it is a bit temperamental! If you were absent check the blue trays for handouts you do not have.

Let’s have a great year! I will do everything I can to help you be successful! Set some goals for yourself this year! The past is the past…what you choose to be this year is who you are! Go Falcons!