"What are the expectations for this class?" Read the science procedures and policies. Also, please be familiar with the team expectations that were shared at the beginning of the year.
"When can I come in for tutoring?" Tuesday morning before school @ 8:00 is the standard time. If you cannot come before school, make arrangements with me the day before you plan to stay after school. (Recess will not be available unless I'm off duty, and your parent signed the permission form at the beginning of the year.) This is the time for individual questions; do not expect a planned lesson. If you are not sure about a topic we've covered and you want to discuss it further, come see me before school on Tuesdays and ASK! If you can't get here before school, get a pass from me in advance of the day you would like to come chat about your questions during lunch.
"My child has a _____ on InTouch. What does this mean?" The symbols mean:
blank = Grades for this assignment have not been entered. This is the default for the software. This does NOT affect your grade nor does it indicate whether or not you have turned the assignment in.
A = You were absent. The software averages this as a zero. Make it up immediately. Generally, you have a period of one week for making up work missed due to absence. (Extended periods of absence excluded.)
M = You were in class, but you did not have the assignment. This is a zero. In some cases, you may have a limited grace period (one week) and will incur a late penalty. This depends on the assignment. There are some in which you will not be given any extra time. I will let you know if it is an assignment you can turn in late.
0 = You have chosen not to complete the assignment.
X = EXCUSED - You do not have to make up the assignment or it was counted only as extra credit and you opted not to do it. An "X" does not affect your grade.
"Can I do something for extra credit?" Please do not ask for special extra credit. If you did not do what was assigned to you, it is unreasonable to ask me to do more work in planning and grading an assignment I wouldn't otherwise give. Do the work that is assigned to the best of your ability, and you will not need extra credit. On the rare occasion when extra credit opportunities are offered, they are offered to everyone. Use these opportunities when they occur.
"When can I make up work from when I was absent?" Tuesday mornings at 8:00 AM is the standard time for making up work. If you cannot come before school, make arrangements with me the day before you plan to stay after school. (Recess and lunch availability vary based on my assigned duty. To come during the recess block, your parent must have signed the permission form at the beginning of the year stating that you can miss recess.)
"My child has/had missing work that s/he says was turned in. When will the grade book be updated?" Late work will be graded only when I have spare time. Most days there is no time built in for me to backtrack to tasks I've completed, i.e. - grading an assignment. On the days I DO find time to work backwards, it is usually only 5 - 10 minutes. It is important that students do assignments when they are assigned. When I plan an assignment, the time to grade it is also planned. Because it is a highly time-consuming process, only two or three times per quarter do I backtrack and grade this late work.
"How do I schedule a conference or ask you a specific question about my child?" By far the most efficient method to get your questions answered is email. You may also call 873-3610, however I can only take or return calls during my planning or during short windows before and after school. The office will gladly take a message for you, and barring unusual circumstances, I will return your call within 24 hours. If you have more questions than you can ask in an email or you simply would rather speak face-to-face, a conference is also an option. Please call 873-3610, and arrange it with Ms. Russ. You may also email her at druss@dorchester2.k12.sc.us. Plan to bring your child to the conference unless we are discussing issues other than performance (like family circumstances or medical issues) for which you'd rather your child not be present.