Welcome to Mr. Francis Sgroi's Mathematics Classes
Class Procedure
The one rule that I demand students to follow is “To Respect One Another”. This means that when I am talking, the students listen. When a student is asking a question or giving a response all other students and I will listen.
Students are to be on time for class. in complete school uniform, and ready to begin work when the bell signaling the beginning of the period rings. Each class period will begin with a prayer. All necessary materials (textbook, graphing calculator, student agenda and writing utensils) must be brought to class everyday. It is the responsibility of the student to take charge of his/her learning. The teacher will assist in anyway possible to ensure successful completion of the course.
No student will be permitted to use the lavatory unless he/she has the student agenda in his/her possession.
Students will work at times in cooperative groups and may be given cooperative learning assessments. While working in a collaborative setting each student is to participate fully. For a collaborative effort to be successful each member of the group must contribute.
Homework
Homework is an integral part of any mathematics course. Success in mathematics is directly related to the quality time spent applying what is learned in class. The primary method of application is through completion of homework assignments. Therefore, students will be given a written homework assignment almost every evening. Reading over class notes is ASSUMED to take place EVERY evening, regardless of whether or not a written assignment is given. Students who work regularly on homework and submit ALL assignments ON TIME will receive a quiz grade of 100% to be averaged with the other grades for that marking period. If any assignments are not submitted the homework grade will be determined by the percentage of the homework submitted on time.
If a student is absent for any reason he/she will be expected to make up any missed assignments as soon as possible after his/her return to class. No assignments will be accepted for credit once the unit test has been administered.
One important online resource helpful throughout this course is Hotmath.com. This resource is a homework assistance web site that relates directly to the textbook used by the students. The password for Holy Cross Students is nctm667.
Tests and Quizzes (Grading System)
Students will be given tests and quizzes on a regular basis. The date of a test will be announced well in advance. Tests usually occur at the end of each unit. Quizzes will be given regularly. Each test value is double a quiz value. Individual and group projects will also be assigned. The grading rubric for each project will be explained at the time the assignment is given.
Each day, at the beginning of the period, the students will be given a Problem of the Day that relates to material previously covered. The problems will be related to past material and will be in the form of an SAT type question or an Advanced Placement Calculus type question for the AP Calculus 2 class. The solutions will be graded. The grade earned for five problems will be equivalent to a quiz grade.
Teacher Assistance
Any time a student needs assistance he/she should approach the teacher and ask for help. I am ALWAYS available during the FLEX PERIOD everyday, in the morning from 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM and after school from 2:45 PM until approximately 4:00 PM. ) No student should ever complain that the teacher was unavailable for additional help.
Cheating Policy
The Holy Cross High School policy on cheating states, “honesty in academic work is necessary for the effective intellectual development of the student, the fair evaluation of his/her academic performance, and most importantly as a moral demand of our religious faith…. Dealing with cheating will be left to the discretion of the individual teacher, with the approval of the department chairperson.”
My cheating policy is as follows:
1. Any student caught cheating on a test or quiz will be given a grade of zero (0) for that test or quiz. Afterwards the student will be taken aside and the incident will be discussed with the teacher. The parent will be notified of the incident as soon as possible. The teacher will then determine whether a make-up test or quiz is warranted. However, the teacher will have the final say as to the action to be taken.
2. Copying homework is cheating. Any student found copying homework will receive no credit for that assignment. The student will then be told to make up the assignment before school or after dismissal at the teacher’s convenience under the teacher’s direct supervision.
Additional Evaluation Criteria
Students may be given additional assessments such as a bulletin board project, writing assignments, and/or a research project. The grading rubric for each project will be explained at the time the assignment is given.
Honor Code
The Honor Code is based on the belief that true learning depends on honesty and integrity. Holy Cross Catholic High School functions on the basis of mutual trust and respect between all members of the community. As a result, students are expected to demonstrate integrity and individual responsibility, both personally and academically, in order to maintain a fair and honest environment. Students who commit themselves to upholding the honor code will be instilled with a sense of honor and integrity that will last beyond their high school years.
Each student will abide by this code. By placing your name at the top of a test, quiz, or homework assignment you are stating that the work is yours and that you did not obtain solutions from any other person.
For cooperative work to be acceptable under the Honor Code, the teacher must specifically make such an assignment and each group member will sign the submitted work. Otherwise the student is to assume that the work must be done individually.