Faculty Name / Mr. Neill
Term / 2012-2013
Meetings / 5 periods per week; Room 329
Faculty’s Contact Information
Phone / 724-452-6040 ext. 1250Email Address /
Class Website:
CPU Simulator Website:
Course Description
This is an introductory course to the physics of electricity, light, and color. It will use a hands-on; lab-based learning approach to investigate the concepts. Due to the investigative nature of this course, it is an excellent class to prepare students for upper level science courses.
Course Objective
The students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of electricity, light and color, through labs, exams, presentations, quizzes and projects.
Class Expectations
1. Be on time to class and with all materials in your seat when the bell rings. Class will start when the bell rings. Once the bell rings, all business matters should be held until the end of class. If you are late to class you must sign have a pass. If you are late three times or more, you will be referred for detention.
2. Be respectful. We want to respect you, but you must respect each other, us, and this classroom to earn this respect. Be sure to:
Follow all directions the first time they are given and be on task
Do not speak when others are speaking.
Do not destroy class materials or other student’s materials
3. Follow all school rules. (NO cell phones, obscene language, or bullying will be tolerated)
Consequences:
- Verbal Warning, Loss of Participation Points, loss of device
- Loss of Participation Points, loss of device to office, call home when needed
- Dismissal from Class to Office
What you need
For this class you should bringEVERY DAY:
-3 ring binderwith notebook paper
-lab book
-writing utensil
Grading
Quizzes10-20 points each (Every Friday)
Tests/Unit Projectsapproximately 100 pts each
White board presentations5 points each (graded periodically)
Homework/Labs/Writing assignments5-20 points each
Weekly Lab Participation90 points (two points each day)
To receive full credit for participation you must participate in the following:
- lab activities
- class discussions
- white board presentations
- Bring all materials to class and complete Lab notebook
If you choose to not follow the class expectations, you will lose participation points.
***If you complete all assignments, work hard, and ask for help when you have a question or need help, you will succeed in this class. We are here for you! However, you must seek out help when needed. ***
Tutoring
Mr. Neill is available for help (in 329)Period 6F -by appointment
-after school Tuesday and Thursdaysas needed in the IHS library with Mr. Walker and possibleother times by appointment.
Please let me knowif you are coming for help.
Cheating/Plagiarism
Choosing to cheat hurts yourself and your fellow classmates. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment/test and will be referred to the office (for a first offense).
Plagiarism is taking someone else’s work and calling it your own. It is illegal. Anyone caught plagiarizing will receive a zero on the assignment/test and will be referred to the office (for a first offense).
Plagiarism is defined as taking or imitating the ideas, thoughts or language of another to represent them as one’s original work. It is imperative that all work submitted by a student be representative of his/her own ideas, thoughts and especially language capability. Therefore, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in all work pertaining to school. A grade of “F” or zero will be awarded for any submitted work which is found to be the work of another (student, author, encyclopedia, internet, etc.) and subsequent offenses will be dealt with accordingly.
If the ideas, thoughts or language from another source must be used in the work being done, it is the student’s responsibility to footnote or annotate the information appropriately. Plagiarism software will be used in various classes.
If you miss class…
If you miss school it is your responsibility to make up the work and any assignments that are given out or handed in. All activities will be posted on the teacher website. Handouts will be in the bin on the counter. Ask a group member for any notes that you may have missed. Labs and quizzes can be made up during the tutoring times listed or by using the online simulator at:
Late Work/Make-up Work and Incomplete Grades
When students are legally absent from classes, it is his/her responsibility to arrange with his/her teachers to make up work missed in each class. The amount of time given to make up this work depends on the amount of time that the student was absent and the circumstances surrounding the absence. For instance, if the student is legally absent for two school days, the student shall receive two school days to make up the work, if necessary. If this work is not completed within the given time period, a student may receive an “incomplete” grade. At the end of the grading period, or at the interim report, the “incomplete” grade is changed to a failing grade for work that has not been completed. Students will not receive credit for any class work that takes place during unexcused class absences. Students are required to make up any missed assignments. If a student is missing due to a pre approved vacation/field trip they must follow district policy.
Class Attendance
As per Seneca Valley School District Policy #204, a student shall not be granted credit for any semester course if absences from that course total more than ten(10) periods per semester or for any full year courses that total more than twenty (20) periods for the year. Class period absences may include but not be limited to illness, truancy, vacations, parent sponsored educational experiences, college visitations, service related tests or physicals, and doctor appointments.
In addition, student(s) will not receive credit towards graduation for any class(es)from which the student(s) is illegally absent (confirmed truancy or class cut) more than three times during a semester class or more than 6 times during a full year course. The lack of sufficient credits in any particular school year could result in a student being denied promotion to the next grade level/building and/or graduation. If a student loses credit, he/she will remain in the class and the grade earned will impact the students GPA.
Field Trip Policies, Off-Campus Instruction & Course Activities
The SenecaValleySchool District recognizes the value and encourages the opportunities for students to participate in pre-planned trips and educational experiences during the regular school year. Pre-approval forms are available from the building principal, to be completed by the school-approved adult supervisor of the trip.
If a proposed trip has been approved by the principal, written permission from a parent or guardian must be obtained. This permission must indicate understanding of the date, time, cost (if applicable), method of travel, and purpose of this trip. Pupil participants are subject to the supervision of the school-approved adults, who may require a dress code for the occasion. At all times the school code of conduct will be enforced.
Each month throughout the school year a list of those students who have been absent or tardy 15% of the days is generated. The principal or designee will determine individual student participation on the basis of prior attendance records, previous requests, frequency of such requests, academic progress to date, and the educational value of the requested experience.
Technology Usage
There are computer labs in the building for student use. Students whose teachers use the lab in their curriculum use courseware specifically designed for that curriculum during scheduled class times. Students are also permitted to use the labs for class or research during study halls as space is available. In addition, there are computers in the library for research purposes plus a workstation in every classroom for teacher and/or student use. The labs are monitored at all times.
All enrolled students have an account on the networked system for file storage and software access. All student accounts are password protected. These passwords are to be kept confidential to protect unauthorized use.
The labs are a privilege provided for the students to enhance the academic curriculum. Games that are not specifically used in the curriculum are not allowed on the system. Individual files are not considered to be personal property. These files may be accessed at any time by teachers, administrators or the system manager. Students are not permitted access to other students’ files. Tampering with files, copying of copyrighted software, downloading or installing games, password tampering, accessing unauthorized directories or removing equipment or software will be considered theft. Tampering with any hardware or equipment or violating policies and/or guidelines governing the use of networks, Internet or software programs are also considered offenses and will be dealt with Per Seneca Valley policy #218. Violators may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state or federal civil or criminal law. Students must show their ID card to gainaccess to the computer lab.
Technical Support
If you experience any problems with your account you may send an email to: or call the SHS Technology Facilitator at 724-452-6040 X1088
This syllabus may change
Please review this syllabus with a parent/guardian. Print out the entire syllabus and put it in your class binder as Item #1. You should both sign and return this page only.
Student Name (print)______Class period______
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent Name (please print)______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent Phone: ______
Parent Email: ______
When calling home who should the teacher speak to? ______
Do you have access to a computer at home?YesNo
Do you have internet access at home?YesNo
Do you have access to a printer at home?YesNo