Jennifer Marrero 8th Grade Biology “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Contact Email: jmarrero@somersetacademy.com Please allow 48 hours for a response. Phone: (954)442-0233 Ext 305 Please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Objective The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to study concepts of Life Science and an in-depth preparation for the E.O.C (end of course) exam; a required test students must pass in order to receive credit for Biology and graduate high school. Exam dates will be provided to your child in future announcements.

Content will include, but not limited to, the following: Nature of Science – Cells and Heredity – DNA – Human Body – Diversity of Living Things – Ecology – Macromolecules – Properties of Water

Ms. Marrero’s Website www.somersetacademy.com Search box type “Marrero” Click on the first link Sign up for homework notifications/updates Tutorials available Information you’ll find: Syllabus Google doc form for emergency contact Important updates Testing dates (when available) Invention Convention

Invention Convention Students are creating something new in a group of 3-4 students Due dates are on Marrero’s webpage Break down of due dates to help keep the students actively working on the assignment and not putting it off until the last minute. They need a trifold board for Presentation day Presentation day: December 9th from 8-2pm 8-9am Set up 9-1pm Presentations/Judging 1-2pm Clean up PLEASE!!!! Let your child complete this with their peers. DO NOT do the project for them.

Pinnacle (Gradebook) Parents can access their child's grades by following these steps: 1. Go to https://gradebook.browardschools.com/PIV 2. The user name is the student's ID (This is not the student’s social security number)  Please check your child's schedule to find out the correct Student ID number. 3. The Pin Code is the child's date of birth – this will be typed as year, month, and day (four digits for year, two digits for month, and two digits for day) – no spaces, slashes, dashes, or commas) – for example, if the student’s birthday is February 5, 1992, it would be typed in as 19920205. 4. Choose the correct school from the School drop down menu: Somerset Academy Middle, Somerset Academy High, or Somerset Academy Arts Conservatory.

Need Extra Help? Tutoring is available by the Science department. When: Thursday Where: Room 401 Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm OR Schedule an appointment with Ms. Marrero before or after school.

Consequences Consequence #1 – Verbal warning Consequence #2 – Call to Parent/Guardian Consequence #3 – 1 hour Detention Consequence # 4 – Conference with Parent/Guardian Consequences # 5 – Referral to Administration

Access to Biology Online Many homework assignments will be given via Biology online. Students will be given a username and password to access the content at home. Should a student not have the ability to access the information at home then they may receive it from Ms. Marrero in the form of a paper copy. If a student completes any assignments late they may turn it in for a late grade. 1st Day it’s late = -15 points 2nd Day it’s late = -25 points 3rd Day it’s late = -35 points 4th Day it’s not accepted. Certain assignments can not be made up (Ex. Lab); thus, a similar, but different assignment will be required to complete and turned in for a grade.

Textbooks Students have access to the online book by logging into: www.pearsonsuccessnet.com Each student will be given a unique username: Ex. JeMarrero17 All students will use the password: Marrero17 If it doesn’t work then email me. Some students will have to use 2017 instead of 17 for their username. Ex. JeMarrero2017

Grading Exams 50% Quizzes 30% Projects 10% Class work 5% Homework 5% A Superior 90-100 B+ Outstanding 87-89 B Commendable 80-86 C+ Above average progress 77-79 C Average progress 70-76 D+ Below average progress 67-69 D Lowest acceptable progress 60-66 F Failure 0-59 I Incomplete Exams 50% Quizzes 30% Projects 10% Class work 5% Homework 5% ALL students have the opportunity to earn an “A” in my class

Supply List Required Binder (1”-1.5”) Writing utensil (blue/black pens) Paper Recommended Highlighter Sticky notes Calculator Coloring pencils Scissors Metric Ruler ***Please make sure that your child has enough supplies for the entire year. Typically they have supplies in August and by December the students run out of paper and pens.

$35 lab fee - online payment by 10/18/17 You may pay in cash to Ms. Marrero before or after school (exact amount only). This payment gives the students access to the online resources including textbook, activities, study island, etc. and also pays for the supplies needed for labs including animals for dissections, dissection equipment, gloves, aprons, goggles, cleaning supplies, etc.

Wish List Parents receive 1 volunteer hour for every $4.00 spent on materials for the classroom. If you like to donate items, please make sure you keep your receipts and turn them in with the materials and the teacher’s name to the front office. - Dry Erase Markers - Kleenex - Clorox/Lysol wipes - Sheet protectors - Card stock - Glue sticks - Standard staples - Electric pencil sharpener - Hand sanitizer - Paper towels - Class set of colored pencils

Homecoming Week 10/16 Ms. Chavez and Mrs. Rosario are the sponsors for 8th grade this year. They need parent volunteers! If you would like to help out please contact them: Chavez: achavez@somersetacademy.com Room 304 Rosario: yrosario@somersetacademy.com Room 302

ANY QUESTIONS?

Thank you!