Biology Class Policies

Biology is an introductory science class that covers the study of life. This class fulfills the high school
graduation requirement for Life Science.
The evaluation of a students performance will be based on home/classwork, labs, chapter quizzes and
tests, and comprehensive quarterly exams (midterm & final). Benchmark exams will be included under
Quizzes and Tests. They are weighted as follows:
Homework/Classwork........................15 %
Journal/Notes.15 %
Labs/projects......................................20 %
Quizzes and Tests...............................40 %
Midterms/Finals.10%
(At times, extra credit will be offered. Take
advantage of those times because they are scarce)

Grading Scale
A 90%
B 80%
C 70%
D 60%
F - > 60%
I reserved the right to shift or curve
down (make it easier) but will not
curve it up.

Supplies:
Students are REQUIRED to bring the following supplies with them every day: They are to have these
by the beginning of the tardy bell for their period.
-Pen or Pencil (have every single day)
-Spiral-Bound 8 x 11 inch white notebook or Composition Notebook
-Highlighter (any color)
**If there is ever a time when there is a difficulty obtaining the above supplies, please contact me by phone, email, or note
and arrangements will be made.

Labs/ Projects
Safety is the primary concern with doing labs. Students will be required to have the class policies and
safety contract signed, a safety test passed with a minimum of 70% and be in appropriate lab attire
before they will be allowed to be in the room during a lab. Any exceptions are to be cleared with the
teacher in writing at least 24 hours before the lab. Classroom rules are designed to reinforce safe
practices. During a lab, the consequences for violating class/safety rules/lab instructions will be a
minimum of removal from the room. If the student is referred during the lab, the student will not get
credit for the lab. If a student is absent, they MAY ONLY COPY THE DATA (measurements) from a
classmate. They are to do any graphs or analysis questions on their own.
**There will be a STEM Fair Project that is completed during the 1st Semester of school. This
assignment is very important to a students grade, as it will be broken into many smaller assignments
that will be turned in over the course of the 1st semester. It also will support a students learning of how
the scientific method is carried out. Ultimately, a STEM Expo (science fair) will be held during 2nd
semester and the best projects will be displayed. The best of these will move on to the District STEM
Expo.**
Journals/Notes:
There will be a journal question on the board every single day of the year. Journal questions are to be
answered in 3 to 4 complete sentences. Notes will be taken weekly and done in the style of Cornell
Notes. These will be graded based on the completeness of the notes and the questions asked of those
notes. Notes and Journals are to be kept in your notebook and will be collected every 2-3 weeks.

Tests/Quizzes:
Tests will be given approximately every 2-4 weeks as we finish a unit. Tests will have multiple question
formats, such as multiple choice, short answer, true false, diagrams, etc. Quizzes will be given inbetween tests. Tests are worth 100 points each and quizzes vary in points.
Midterms/Finals: Midterms will be given at the end of Quarters 1 and 3. Finals will be given at the
end of Quarter 2 and 4.
Make ups:
If a student has an excused absence on the day of the assignment, they will be given the equivalent
number of days to complete the assignment. Students who have unexcused absences or are suspended
will not be able to make up any assignments, tests, or presentations. There may be special assignments
that have absolute final due dates. They will be announced ahead of time. These assignments will not
be given extra time if a student is absent. They will be due at the beginning of the period. IT IS THE
STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET AND TURN IN
MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS.
Tests are to be made up within a week of the time it was given. Make up tests are to be taken after
school or during homeroom if permission is given by a students homeroom teacher. It is the
responsibility of the student to make arrangements to take a make up test.
Use of the Computer Lab:
There may be the opportunity to use the computer lab for tests, presentations, etc. The computers are to
be used for class work only. Any student found to be using the computer for anything else (such as
games, surfing the net, checking personal email, etc.) will be referred to the Vice Principal for
inappropriate use of the computer. Computer lab rules will be strictly enforced.
Class Rules
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Safe
3. Be Responsible
If any of the above classroom rules are violated, students may be given a verbal warning, removed from
class, given After School Work, sent to On Campus Detention, or Referred to a vice principal.
Copying/Cheating:
The copying of another students work or cheating on a test will not be tolerated. Students will receive
an automatic 0 for the assignment and be given an Afterschool Work.
Late Work Policy:
Students can turn in Late Work up until the Monday before the end of a quarter. Students will receive
60% credit for the assignment. It is the students responsibility to go on PowerSchool and find their late
assignments.
Contact Information
Phone: 661-533-1900 ext. 215......................Email: clangenohl@avhsd.org

Biology Syllabus and Lab Safety Agreement

I _____________________
(print students name) have read and
understand the Biology Class Syllabus. I also have read and agree to follow all of the Lab Safety Rules
set forth in this contract. I realize that I must obey these rules to ensure my own safety and that of my
fellow students and instructors. I will cooperate to the fullest extent with my instructor and fellow
students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions
provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe
conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part may result in being removed from the laboratory,
referral to the VP, receiving a failing grade on the lab, and/or dismissal from the course.
____________________________________________
Student Signature

______________________________
Date

____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

__________________________
Date