·    Grades and Engagement: My goal for the class is to present engaging activities (with your help), provide timely and effective feedback and help you succeed (learn what you need to know, earn credits, graduate, etc.). Daily grades will be based on engagement and effort. (If you are engaged and making a good effort through the period, you will earn an A.) Paper/project grades will be based on how successfully you complete the assignment.

·    Questions & Suggestions:  A successful class is a collaboration. Please let me know if you have questions, if anything is not working for you or if you have suggestions to improve our classroom experience. You can ask always talk to me before or after class or you can email me at jpowers2 [at] fairfieldschools [dot] org.

·    Cell Phones/Smart Watches/etc:  Please turn off or silence all electronic devices that may disrupt class or be more interesting than I am.  I will provide time during each period to text, check mail, play with gadgets.  (Review the cell phone research.)·    Arriving to class tardy:  If you are late to class, please find a seat quietly without disturbing the class.  I will catch you up to speed as quickly as possible. Repeated tardies will impact your grade.

·    Leaving the classroom: Please raise two hands if you need to use the bathroom.  Use the pass on the eraser gutter.  See me for other needs.  I need to know where you’re going and that you’ll be safe, but all reasonable requests will be honored.

·    Quieting the class:  If the class gets too loud or needs further instructions, I will ask for quiet or turn the lights on and off.  Please quiet down immediately.

·    Homework:  Assignments are designed to be completed in class. You may earn extra credit for work done outside of class (except for make-up work).

·    Academic Integrity:  All major papers or projects must be your work with sources cited.

·    Confidentiality: What you say in this classroom should stay in this classroom unless you share something that seems like you or others may be at risk. I’m required to report any suspicions of child abuse, but I also would be irresponsible if I did not try to keep you safe if I thought you or others were at risk in any way. If possible, I will talk to you about any reporting first.

·    A safe and considerate classroom:  To ensure everyone feels welcome, comfortable and safe, we will show kindness or at least tolerance of differences in our words and actions.  Title 9 legislates what is just decency in most offices and college classrooms anyway.  Avoid remarks or actions that will make others uncomfortable.  Let me know if something is said or done that makes you feel uncomfortable.