Mr. Bouda’s Classroom Policies and Information
About this Handout – This handout may sound like a real bummer because it contains so many rules. Don’t be alarmed! I want to have a class that is fun as well as informative. I do believe that we can all learn and have a positive experience at the same time. This handout only serves to get a basic understanding of things before we begin a school year. Cool?
Supplies – It is advisable for you to purchase a one inch, three-ring binder that you can use just for this class. Students are required to bring their textbook, class binder and pen/pencil to class everyday.
Grading – Grades will be based upon a standard point system. You can easily check your grades by visiting http://zangle.gpschools.org/. Grades are also available through Parent/Student Connect on the school website. There is also a grades link available to you from the home page of this course website.
Extra credit will be offered from time to time. Extra credit is only available to students who have all of their homework turned in. Students who have missing or incomplete work will not be eligible for extra credit. Please do not count on extra credit to save your grade.
Makeup Work – It is the student’s responsibility to find out what work needs to be made up when returning from an absence. A daily calendar and assignment log is always posted at the front of the room and handouts are available for one week in folders also kept at the front of the room. The calendar and assignment log are also posted on this site. Always check these places for missed work information before coming to ask me “What did I miss?”
Late Work – Assignments that are turned in late will receive a reduction in points. If the work is extremely late (at my discretion) it may not be accepted at all. Please do your work on time.
Extra Help – I encourage students to see me as soon as possible if they are having trouble with assignments or have other questions. Please let me know ahead of time so that I can make sure I will be available for you.
PPA Points – All students begin each semester with 25 PPA (Participation, Preparedness and Attitude) points. This is a gift to you. Protect them. PPA points can and will be lost for such things as disruptive behavior, failure to wear ID, being unprepared for class and not following classroom rules. Once you lose them, they are difficult if not impossible to earn them back.
Tardy Policy – Please be on time for class with all of your materials. Upon your third tardy, you will spend a one half hour detention with me either before or after school, plus loss of PPA points for each incidence. Failure to serve the detention will result in a doubling of detention time and/or referral to the Assistant Principal. Upon your earning a second detention (6th tardy) you will earn a one hour detention with me before or after school. Being tardy chronically beyond that will result in parent contact and/or referral to the Assistant Principal.
Hall Passes – Each student is given two hall passes per semester. Requests beyond that will either be denied or PPA points will be subtracted. Emergencies are an exception and are left to my discretion. These hall passes include trips to your locker for class materials that you have forgotten as well as restroom use.
Distractions – Cell phones, I-Pods, electronic games and the like are strictly not allowed in class. No exceptions! If I see them, they will be confiscated. Cell phones will be turned over to the Assistant Principal. I will keep i-Pods and the like for a minimum of 24 hours. If this happens to be on a Friday or the day before a scheduled vacation, too bad! If I have to deal with this issue for any given student more than once or twice, the device will be given to building administration and a parent conference may be required.
Food and Drinks - Food is not allowed in the classroom. No exceptions! Water is the only beverage allowed. I encourage water, we all get thirsty and classroom air is generally dry. The reason I only allow water is that other drinks when spilled generally create a vast sticky mess that I usually have to clean up.
Other Classroom Rules – There are always lots of policies and rules to follow, too many to list them all here. We will deal with those as we go along. It really all comes down to respect. Respect for yourselves, others in the room (including me) and for the room itself. Treat everyone and everything well and the rules will not be a problem.
I am really looking forward to getting to know each of you and I hope that we will all have a great year!