Mrs. Sara Billingsley
Speech I -  Honors 
Classroom Procedures

Arrival:   In – person : You need to arrive on time and be in your seat when the bell rings. 
Virtual: You need to be on Zoom with camera on by class time each day.   

Tardies:  Accumulating four or more tardies will result in a referral to the office.  If you are late to first block, you will need an admit from the office.  If you are late because a teacher, counselor, administrator, etc. held you, then bring a pass from that person.

Dismissal:  Continue working until the bell sounds at the end of class.  Do not begin packing your belongings until that time.  

Absences:  If you are absent, you will need an admit slip from the office upon returning to class.  Please give the slip to me for me to initial.  If I fail to return your admit slip, please remind me when leaving the classroom.  You will need to check with me for make up work without interrupting class.  You may arrive a few minutes early to class, stay a few minutes late, or consult me during mentoring period or during independent seat work time.  Make up work must be submitted in a timely manner. See Madison student handbook for guidelines. 

Discussion:  Everyone should contribute to class discussions. This includes both in- person and virtual students.   Show respect for others at all times (making eye contact, nodding, not interrupting, using appropriate body language, etc.).  If you have a contribution to make to a discussion and no one else is speaking, you may do so by simply beginning to speak; however, if someone else is speaking, please raise your hand to indicate that you wish to have an opportunity to speak.  

Assignments:  The syllabus will be posted on the school website each Monday for the week. You could print this out and place it in your folder or simply access it online; however,  you should refer to it regularly.  Plan ahead.  Schedule time to work on long term assignments, to study for tests, etc.  Know when assignments are due, and have them ready at that time.  Be sure to head your assignments in the upper right hand corner (Your Name, Date, Block #, Assignment Name).  Keep graded assignments in your binder until the end of the semester.

Turning in/Passing back: Each class has a designated tray near my desk for turning in papers. Some papers will be passed up to me, but often I will instruct you to put assignments in “the tray.” Be sure your paper is headed correctly (see above) and be sure to place it in the correct tray. Under no circumstances should you go through the papers in the tray. Once I have graded your work, I will place it in your folder. Folders are located on the table near the Promethean board. At an appropriate time, you may check your folder for any returned papers. Once a paper is in your folder, it is yours to keep. You may remove papers from your folder & keep them in your binder so you’ll have them for future reference (e.g., to study). 

Materials:  Bring necessary materials to class--books, folders/binder, paper, pens, pencils, homework, etc.  This includes both virtual and in – person attendance. 
Group Work:  Listen to all instructions before getting into your groups.  After you have been given an opportunity to ask clarifying questions, I will instruct you to move into your groups.  Move promptly, begin the assigned task, and use your time wisely.  Each person in the group should contribute to the group’s product.  Students should stay in their assigned groups and should maintain appropriate volume.  Be observant of time.

My “Stuff”:  If you use something that belongs to me (e.g., stapler, hole puncher, scissors), please return it neatly to its proper place.  If you would like to use something that is on my desk (e.g., tape, post-its, pen), please ask me first.

Food/Drink:  You may have drinks with lids/caps in my classroom. (If you spill, please clean it up.)  You may discreetly chew gum or other candy/food in my classroom; however, if I feel that this becomes distracting or if you do not clean up after yourself, these privileges will be taken away.  

Cleanliness:  Please be sure your work area is clean before leaving each day.  Throw trash in the trash can by the door at appropriate times.

“Spare” Time: If you should finish your assignment before the rest of the class, you may work on a productive activity.  This includes such activities as reading a book, working on a long term assignment, and studying notes. It does not include sleeping, sitting idly, or disturbing others.

Library:  When we go to the library as a class, you will need to move quietly down the hall and to find your seat at one of the round tables.  Bring necessary materials with you so that you will not need to leave the library.  While in the library, work on the assigned task and maintain an appropriate volume.  Before leaving the library, be sure your work area is clean and slide your chair under the table.  NO food or drink is allowed in the library.

1st Block:  Each morning when the “Star Spangled Banner”/announcements begin, stop what you are doing; rise for the anthem, pledge, etc.; listen to announcements quietly.

Signing In/Out: If you need to leave the room for any purpose (restroom, counselor, office), you need to sign out on the sheet near the door and then sign back in when you return. The restroom pass hangs on the hook at the door. Take this if you are going to the restroom and return it the hook when you return. There is only one restroom pass, so only one student will be allowed to go to the restroom at a time. If you are not going to the restroom, I will need to write you a hall pass. Please minimize trips outside of class. Take care of business during mentoring, before school, after school, etc. 

Grading:  A ten-point scale will be used for daily assignments. (Your papers may say “8.”  This means 8 out of 10 points were earned.  A check mark means full credit was earned.)  Other grades (test, quizzes, writing, projects) will be percentages of 100.  More information about grading is given on the course syllabus.