HamiltonHigh School

HONORS CHEMISTRY

HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL

My information

Mrs. Berkshire

Room: D207

Phone: (480) 883-5144

email: berkshire.dawn@cusd80.com

Other Honors Chemistry instructor who will be part of our tutoring schedule and team for student success:

Mrs. Loutzenheiser

Room: D206

Phone: (480) 883-5143 

Welcome to Honors Chemistry!  This document gives a brief course description and an explanation of classroom policies and procedures.  Please read, review with your parents and sign the Course Acknowledgment Form.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Chemistry is a lab-based, inquiry-driven introduction to chemistry. Course goals are that students will:

• Become familiar with the major themes in chemistry
• Learn to use scientific methodology in problem-solving and report writing
• Enhance critical thinking skills
• Design, conduct and present a science fair project 

This course is an innovative, activity-driven chemistry program aligned with Arizona State Standards and designed to engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking.  The curriculum strongly emphasizes the development of the conceptual framework for modern chemistry.  Students are expected to evaluate their own laboratory experiments.  The curriculum allows learners to conduct investigations that are meaningful to them and that highlight experimental design, analysis, and application of concepts.  Over the course of the year, we will be building scientific investigation skills and using these skills as we explore our view of matter, how it behaves and the role of energy in chemical systems.

MATERIALS

The following materials are needed for our chemistry class:

• Bound composition book, spiral notebook, lined paper
• Scientific Calculator (Note: graphing calculators not allowed on exams.)
• One package of Dry Erase Markers, Pens, Pencils, and Erasers
• Optional – Safety Goggles

SAFETY

Safety is a top priority in the chemistry classroom.  All students must sign a safety contract and follow lab safety rules while working in the lab.  Students who do not observe or practice classroom and lab safety will not participate in lab.  General safety guidelines will be discussed at the beginning of the term and specific safety instructions will be given before each lab or activity.

Diversity Statement

All individuals have a right to an educational environment free from bias, prejudice and bigotry. As members of the Hamilton High School educational community, students are expected to refrain from participating in acts of harassment that are designed to demean another student’s race, gender, ethnicity, religious preference, disability or sexual orientation.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

1. Safety: Safety is a major consideration in any science laboratory. All students will be required to sign a safety contract and pass a safety assessment before participating in the laboratory. Students who do not observe and practice classroom safety procedures and school rules will not be permitted to participate in the lab and receive a zero for that assignment.

2. Food or drinks are not allowed at the lab stations.

3. Behavior: Students are expected to follow all school rules to allow for a safe learning environment, including the use of school appropriate language and dress code as outlined in the student handbook. 
4. Extra Help:  Tutoring will be available after school Monday through Thursday in one of the chemistry teachers’ classrooms. You can also talk to me about tutoring at other times, my availability is not limited to this schedule.

Mrs. Berkshire Wednesday and Thursday 2:15-3:15 in D204

Mrs. Loutzenheiser Monday and Wednesday 2:15-3:15 in D206

5. Late Work: Homework will be checked at the beginning of the period on the due date with in-person instruction.  Any work turned in after the posted due date will be considered late. Late work is accepted for partial credit. Assignments turned in after the key has been made available are worth a maximum of 50%. 

6. Missed Work: Work missed because of an excused absence must be submitted within a reasonable time period or the student will receive a zero for the assignment or lab.  All tests and quizzesmissed due to an excused absence must be made up within a week.  Students are expected to take the tests and quizzes on scheduled days, an absence the day before will not excuse a student from taking a test or quiz.  It is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work and labs. 
7. Cheating: Students are expected to demonstrate honesty and integrity while in attendance at Hamilton High School. Giving aid, receiving aid or observing aid being given on any assignment is considered dishonest and will result in the score of a zero on the assignment. Copying homework is cheating and zero credit is given for plagiarized work. Please note that in addition to your grade dropping, NHS will also be notified.

8. Phone Policy:  Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used during instructional time unless instructed otherwise. Misuse of a cell phone will result in confiscation. Any student using a cell phone during a test or quiz will be given a zero on that test or quiz. 

9. Tardy Policy: Students not fully in my classroom before the bell rings will be marked tardy.  The following outlines the consequences for tardiness. First tardy a warning. Third tardy parent contact. Fifth tardy, referral to Saturday School.

9. Attendance: Attendance is critical for success in honors chemistry, as well as all of your classes. The attendance expectations of HHS are clearly outlined in the student handbook.
10. Appropriate use of technology – board policy IJNDC-R:

The Governing Board intends that technological resources provided by the District be used in a safe responsible and proper manner in support of the instructional program and for the advancement of student learning. It is the policy of the Chandler Unified School District to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all electronic resource activities by staff and students. The District reserves the right to monitor use of the District’s systems for improper use without warning or prior consent. Students shall be informed that computer files and electronic communications, including email, are not private and may be accessed by the District at any time. Inappropriate use may result in disciplinary action and/or legal action in accordance with the law and Board policy. Please visit the student handbook at https://www.cusd80.com/handbooks for further details about appropriate use of technology use.

GRADING POLICIES

Semester grades will be calculated on an 80/20 formula. The grading scale is:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

below 59% = no credit earned

Students and parents will be able to access grades through Infinite Campus.  Please keep in mind it takes a few days for grades to be updated once new assignments have been entered.  Students are responsible for checking their grades. Grades for the course will be computed based on a weighted average of your scores in the following categories:

Tests & Quizzes (Assessments in IC)                             60%

Lab Reports and Lab Assessments (Lab in IC)             25%

Classwork and Participation (Assignments in IC)            15%

Semester grades are cumulative, and the final exam is 20% of the final grade

Progress reports and quarter grades are checkpoints for students and parents, they are not transcript grades. I do not round these checkpoints to a higher letter grade. If you do have a 0.5 or higher borderline grade and no zeroes in the gradebook you are eligible for rounding at the semester only.

If you do not have an Infinite Campus account, create one by:  

* Step 1: Enter Your Email Address that you provided to your child's school

* Step 2: Click Submit

* Step 3: Open the email from Campus No Reply - campus@smtp2.cusd80.com (You may need to look in your spam or junk folder) and click on the link provided.

* Step 4: After clicking on the link from the above step, you will enter in a password and then click Create My Account.

* Step 5: Login to the parent portal with your new account. 

CONCLUSION

I know this is a lot of information, don’t let it overwhelm you. We are going to have a wonderful and successful year together! I encourage you to work to the best of your ability, to be respectful, to be responsible, and to be accountable for your actions. In return, you can expect the same from me!

Mrs. Berkshire

Please review the above with your parents and complete the Course Acknowledgement form you received in class. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Welcome to Honors Chemistry! #HUSKYPROUD