Plaza Middle Schools

ODU TEAM
Class Expectations

Welcome to the 8th grade ODU Team!!! Your responsibilities at Plaza Middle School are simple: understanding and
accepting responsibility for your behavior, meeting due dates, completing assignments, having appropriate materials in
class, and studying for tests and quizzes will help you have a successful and productive year. Our teams curricula
follows the eighth grade SOL objectives for the state of Virginia as well as the Virginia Beach City Public School
System. Study these policies carefully and ask questions if the need arises. We look forward to seeing you at Plazas
upcoming OPEN HOUSE!
Classroom Expectations
1.

Grading: Each nine weeks grade will be based on a breakdown of each category; including class work, assignments,
tests/projects, quizzes/labs, and homework.
2. Test and Quiz Re-Takes: Students with an unsatisfactory score have the option to re-take tests and quizzes based on the
individual teachers remediation requirements.
3. Make-up and Late Work: It is the students responsibility to collect all missing work. Unexcused Late assignments will be
accepted with a reduced grade. Usually, late assignments will be accepted in accordance with each teachers individual policy.
4. Homework: Will be no more than 5% of the student's grade and is considered practice.
5. Special Projects and Assignments: will be given out periodically. Specific directions will be given before the due date.
Projects will be expected on the date requested. If you are absent, you will be expected to make up your work.
6. Preparation: For tests and other assessments, students will study, be well prepared for, and perform at their highest level.

Student Responsibilities
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Conduct: Any action which disturbs the learning atmosphere of the classroom, including disrespect toward the teacher and/or
any student, will not be tolerated. ALL students at Plaza Middle School will strive to be Trojan REPS for their school
this year.
R = Students will be respectful
E = Students will be appropriately engaged in the classroom.
P = Students will be positive at all times.
S = Student will learn in a safe and bully-free environment.
Punctuality: Arriving on time to class is a must in order to take full advantage of the instructional time. Visit restrooms and
water fountain before or after class with permission. Be prepared to begin instructions or a warm-up exercise upon entering the
classroom. Proper disciplinary rules will be followed regarding tardies. The tardy policy is detailed in the Planner.
Materials: Students will bring all necessary materials to each class.
Cheating: Cheating is a serious offense. All work must be original. If students are found to be cheating, they may be subject to
disciplinary action as per VBCPS's guidelines, including a meeting with the teacher, asst. principal, and parents.
Dismissal: The teacher will dismiss class when the room is orderly and quiet. Remember, the teacher dismisses class, not the
clock!!
Planner: A student planner is required for any trips out of the classroom. It is not acceptable to have pages torn out of the
planner or to use another students planner.
Failure to abide by the above class rules will result in:
1. Verbal warning
2. Student-driven behavior plan
3. Teacher detention, including home contact, with possible conference scheduled
4. Referral**
**The order of the disciplinary steps may be altered depending upon the severity of the offense.

Other Guidelines
1. Students will be required to follow these guidelines when writing:
a. Utilize the Plaza POWER Paragraph
b. Neatness and legibility: observe margins, use correct grammar and punctuation.
c. Wow the reader!!
2. Additional help will be provided for any student upon request. Prior arrangements should be made with the teacher.
3. Attendance: Many ODU Team students are enrolled in high school credit-bearing courses. Algebra, Geometry, and Earth
Science are examples. Please refer to page 4-5 of the Plaza student planner for specific attendance policies. A
parent/guardian will be informed by a teacher should a student be approaching credit disqualification due to
attendance.

Grading Scale:
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89

B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82

C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72

D+ 67-69
D 64-66
E below 64

Parent Portal is available for parents to view and track their students progress. Please sign up if
you havent already done so.
With everyones help and cooperation, we should have a great opening of school and a positive and
productive year to follow!

Mr. Alfieri, Science

Kevin.Alfieri@vbschools.com

Mr. Whitlinger, Science

Joshua.Whitlinger@vbschools.com

Mr. Andrew Barnett, Social Studies

Andrew.Barnett@vbschools.com

Mr. Croxton, Social Studies

Bruce.Croxton@vbschools.com

Mr. Thien, Mathematics

Robert.Thien@vbschools.com

Mr. Boulier, Math

Kenny.Boulier@vbschools.com

Ms. Gribble, English

Katherine.Gribble@vbschools.com

Mrs. Butler, English

Torri.Butler@vbschools.com

Mrs. Brown, Special Education Math

Melveanna.Brown@vbschools.com

Ms. Valle, Special Education English and

Social Studies
Adalis.Valle@vbschools.com

Ms. Tucker, Special Education Science

Chiquita.Tucker@vbschools.com

Mr. Wydra, 8th Grade Counselor

Joseph.Wydra@vbschools.com

Plaza Middle Schools

ODU TEAM
Class Expectations

I have read and understood the classroom expectations for all the ODU team
teachers and will adhere to them as well as the rules and regulations of the Student
Code of Conduct.
Students name: _____________________________________________
Date: _______________
Signature of student: ________________________________________
Signature of parent: _________________________________________
Parent Email 1: _________________________________________
Parent Email 2: _________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________________________
Parent Phone 1: _________________________________________
Parent Phone 2: _________________________________________
Parent Phone 3: _________________________________________
Preferred method of contact: _________________________________________