Policies
Behavior and Expectations
As a class we will follow four guiding norms:
Academic Honesty
It is assumed that Sequoia students are honorable people and academic honesty is a critical part of our school culture. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and is clearly a violation of course and school policy. In addition, colleges can require you to report any instances of academic dishonesty.
If plagiarism or cheating is suspected, you will be held accountable according to the District Academic Honesty Policy.
Examples of cheating include:
Examples of plagiarism include:
Electronics
Please be respectful by keeping cellphones and other devices away unless we are using them for a specific purpose. This includes the inappropriate use of Chromebooks, Airpods/headphones, or smartwatches. If a device is seen or heard, I will collect it and you will lose your yellow card privileges. After this, consequences will escalate to the AVP.
Bathroom
You will receive unlimited bathroom passes
Food and Drink
Water is fine for classroom use.
Drinks containing sugar should be placed in or on top of the refrigerator or consumed before entering class.
There is NO eating or drinking at any time during a lab.
Absences
Regular attendance is very important for success in Biology. Most of the labs, presentations, and other assignments are difficult, if not impossible, to completely make up.
Assignments: If you miss an assignment due to an excused absence, it is your responsibility to figure out what you missed while out and to seek and schedule a make-up. If you are absent, check with a classmate, Canvas, or Ms. Thomas for a summary of what you missed. You may turn in the assignment within two days of returning without penalty.
Tests/Quizzes: If you are missing the day of an assessment due to an excused absence, you will take the assessment the lunch period that you return to school without penalty.
Labs and Projects: If you missed a lab or project due to an excused absence, it is your responsibility to schedule a time and date for a lab make up session within two weeks of your absence.
You may not make up assignments, activities, or labs missed due to an unexcused absence (cut). Your absence must appear as excused in Infinite Campus on the date of your return to class.
Late Work
Late work will be accepted with a penalty (2/4 points) the next calendar day. Late work will not be accepted after the end of a unit. Missed labs require actual lab make-up or completion of an alternative assignment. If you feel that you need an extension for an assignment, you must communicate this with Ms. Thomas BEFORE the due date. Again, you may not make up assignments, activities, or labs missed due to an unexcused absence.
Internet Access
All students must have access to an internet connected device to check Canvas and email. There are many computer resources available to you in room 246 and in the Media Center. Internet/computer/printer troubles are not an excuse for not being able to do the work. Remember to hit "Submit" on all Canvas assignments and check the submission preview.
As a class we will follow four guiding norms:
- Learn Together
- Challenge Yourself
- Act With Empathy
- Create Change
Academic Honesty
It is assumed that Sequoia students are honorable people and academic honesty is a critical part of our school culture. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and is clearly a violation of course and school policy. In addition, colleges can require you to report any instances of academic dishonesty.
If plagiarism or cheating is suspected, you will be held accountable according to the District Academic Honesty Policy.
Examples of cheating include:
- Sharing questions and answers from tests and quizzes
- Using notes or a cell phone during a test or quiz
- Copying work from a peer
- Using Google or other websites to look up answers during online tests and quizzes
Examples of plagiarism include:
- Copying and pasting text from another writer
- Quoting another writer without giving credit
- Rephrasing another writer without giving credit
Electronics
Please be respectful by keeping cellphones and other devices away unless we are using them for a specific purpose. This includes the inappropriate use of Chromebooks, Airpods/headphones, or smartwatches. If a device is seen or heard, I will collect it and you will lose your yellow card privileges. After this, consequences will escalate to the AVP.
Bathroom
You will receive unlimited bathroom passes
Food and Drink
Water is fine for classroom use.
Drinks containing sugar should be placed in or on top of the refrigerator or consumed before entering class.
There is NO eating or drinking at any time during a lab.
Absences
Regular attendance is very important for success in Biology. Most of the labs, presentations, and other assignments are difficult, if not impossible, to completely make up.
- If you have missed notes, kindly ask a peer to borrow notes from days you missed, sometime outside of classroom hours.
- If you know you will be absent, make an appointment to make up the work before you leave.
- If you are sick, make an appointment as soon as you return. Email ahead when possible.
Assignments: If you miss an assignment due to an excused absence, it is your responsibility to figure out what you missed while out and to seek and schedule a make-up. If you are absent, check with a classmate, Canvas, or Ms. Thomas for a summary of what you missed. You may turn in the assignment within two days of returning without penalty.
Tests/Quizzes: If you are missing the day of an assessment due to an excused absence, you will take the assessment the lunch period that you return to school without penalty.
Labs and Projects: If you missed a lab or project due to an excused absence, it is your responsibility to schedule a time and date for a lab make up session within two weeks of your absence.
You may not make up assignments, activities, or labs missed due to an unexcused absence (cut). Your absence must appear as excused in Infinite Campus on the date of your return to class.
Late Work
Late work will be accepted with a penalty (2/4 points) the next calendar day. Late work will not be accepted after the end of a unit. Missed labs require actual lab make-up or completion of an alternative assignment. If you feel that you need an extension for an assignment, you must communicate this with Ms. Thomas BEFORE the due date. Again, you may not make up assignments, activities, or labs missed due to an unexcused absence.
Internet Access
All students must have access to an internet connected device to check Canvas and email. There are many computer resources available to you in room 246 and in the Media Center. Internet/computer/printer troubles are not an excuse for not being able to do the work. Remember to hit "Submit" on all Canvas assignments and check the submission preview.