Monday, August 09, 2010

Calendar, Classroom Rules, and More: 2010--2011

Jeffrey Minick
Address: 141 Cumberland Ave. #4, Asheville, NC 28801
Telephone: 828-400-8132
E-mail: ashevillelatin@charter.net
Blog: ashevillelatinseminars.blogspot.com

Calendar: August 16 Classes begin
September 6 No Monday class (We will make up this class on Monday before Thanksgiving)
Nov. 22--28 Thanksgiving Break
December 17 Christmas Break begins
January 3 Classes resume
March 8--11 National Latin Exams
March 25--April 4 Spring Break
May 5 Last week of class
May 9 End of year party

Payment: Please pay by the semester or by the year.

Inclement weather policy: Unless you hear otherwise by a general email, please follow the A-B Tech policy in terms of cancelled classes. We will NOT follow the college’s delayed opening policy. Our classes begin at the usual time.

Homework policies: Students in all classes always have homework. Students in the history and literature classes will receive a syllabus every month or so containing the upcoming assignments. Because their progress is less predictable, Latin students don’t receive a syllabus. Their homework assignments will be posted on the above blog. Students will also be assigned homework partners whom they may call if they miss a class or lose their assignment.

Grades: Your work will be graded frequently both in and out of the classroom. Neatness and punctuality count. It is inadvisable to do written work in the car on the way to class. Complete all work by the required deadlines or suffer a lower grade. I will issue semester grades before Christmas and at the end of the year.
Grade scale:
A……..90--100
B……..80--89
C……..70--79
D……..65...69
F……..Below 65
Note: On papers written for class, an A indicates writing that is well-organized, thoughtful, and free of errors in grammar or punctuation. A paper which is weak in its arguments, which is sloppy or badly constructed, earns a B. A paper containing many grammar errors, faulty conclusions, or poor organization earns a C. The grade of D reflects a paper even more poorly written on which the student spent little time or effort. F is reserved for papers that come nowhere near the standard set for the class. (The grade of 0 is reserved for those who copy other papers or who fail to turn in their work).

Parents and grades: Please email me directly if you have any question about your student’s performance in class. It is easier for me to answer such a correspondence than to initiate it. I will try to answer your emails as promptly as possible.

In the case of Latin I students and 3Rs students, I will contact parents if the grades slip or the work is incomplete. Students in all other classes are responsible for keeping their parents informed about their grades.

You will also need to pay some attention to the amount of work your student does at home. You will factor this amount of work into their final grade.

Tutors: Students who need assistance may avail themselves of the services of our tutors. These tutors are available free of charge at specified hours.

Church policies:
Please park in designated areas of the parking lot. Be vigilant in regard to others, particularly young children. Do not drive on the grass.
Drivers should park away from the front of the church.
Treat church property with respect. Do not slide on the banisters, stand on tables, or run in the building. Ball games should be played outside.
Please enter and leave the building quietly. Use the stairwell on the office side of the building to enter the classroom.
The room adjacent to our classroom is for lunch and for breaks between classes. Please eat your lunch in this room. When classes are in session, this room is a study hall.
Important: Students should not congregate in the foyer outside the office. They should be in class, in the break room, or on the fields outside.

Classroom policies:
Be on time for class. Have the materials you need for that class out of your book bag and on the desk before class begins. If you are late for class, please enter as quietly as possible.
All students except for those in Latin will need a composition book.
All students will need a notebook.
Latin students will need notecards.
Do not pack up books before the class has ended.
Cell phones may not be used during class. Phones must be placed in the basket at the back of the room when the seminar is in session.
Don’t eat or chew gum during class. Water bottles may be brought to class as well as drinks in non-spill containers.
Let honor and duty be your bywords for these classes. Practice personal honor. Do not use work on papers or on tests that doesn’t belong to you. Don’t copy homework. This is cheating.
If you are unable to complete an assignment, bring a note from a parent stating the reason for the missed assignment.
Dress appropriately for class. If you are in doubt about your attire, glance into a mirror and ask yourself whether your nonagenarian great-grandmother might approve.
Polite behavior toward your fellow students is expected at all times.
Bring pencils, pens, notebooks, books, and enthusiasm to class.