Theology IV

1. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me about anything you missed.

2. I will give you one school day for each day of absence plus one extra school day to make up missed work (e.g., 2 days absence = 3 days to make up work). If you are absent for a prolonged amount of time, or if there are mitigating circumstances, I will work out a schedule with you.

3. Being absent does not excuse you from the work you missed. You are still responsible for it.

4. If you are absent on the day a test is given, expect to take the test the day you return to class, unless I have made other arrangements with you. If you were absent right before a test and missed material for it, I will assign a time frame for you to get caught up and take the make-up.

5. An unexcused absence may result in a loss of points on any missed work, test, project, etc.

6. You might be surprised to know that a significant percentage of zeros for assignments is caused by a student failing to make up work after an absence. Stay on top of your work!

 

1. I expect all the work you submit to be your own. I want to know what you have to say, not someone else. How can I know about your faith journey, your concerns, your questions, your thoughts, your spiritual struggles, and the like if you don’t discuss them via the assignments?

2. With the new wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—programs that create a whole range of content for you such as ChatGPT—there is a strong temptation to use it for your work. Doing an entire assignment this way is immoral and unethical. It violates our school policies, and it is contrary to how the Faithful Man should act. The use of non-approved AI for any assignment will result in a zero, and an academic dishonesty report will be filed with the administration.

3. Any assignment or assessment is subject to a follow-up verbal review.

4. Plagiarizing any portion of an assignment or assessment will result in a zero for it. Plagiarizing is when you copy material from a source (e.g., website) and submit it as if it were your own work. If it is appropriate for a given assignment to use material from an outside source, be sure to document it properly: put quotation marks around the material and identify its source.

11. Assignments turned in late will lose 15 points per day. On the third day late, it becomes a zero.

 

1. Cell phone use is prohibited during class. All students must place their phones in the phone caddy in the classroom upon entering the room and retrieve them at the end of class.

2. Students are responsible only for their own phone. Do not handle another person’s phone.

3. If you have your phone on you and it goes off in class, or if I see you on it because it’s not in its pocket holder, I will confiscate it and turn it over to Mr. Kivlehan.

1. You are expected to participate in a constructive way in discussions and activities by (a) sharing your comments, thoughts, and insights, (b) asking relevant questions, (c) being alert and paying attention, (d) showing respect for others, and (e) contributing to a positive learning environment. Doing so will guarantee you at least a 90 for your class participation grade. Your grade will increase or decrease depending on whether you exceeded or fell short of the mark. You are also expected to not be sleeping, doing other work, or watching videos or sports. Each infraction results in a point deduction from your class participation grade.

2. You have your Chromebook so you can take notes and complete assignments in class, not to watch videos or play games. Your parents are not spending money for you to entertain yourself when you should be actively engaged in class and learning. That would be a violation of the Fourth and Seventh Commandments. Besides, DyKnow is watching you.

3. Air Pods / ear buds are not allowed in class. You are here to learn, not to listen to music.

4. All foul language is completely unacceptable. I don’t want to hear “My bad” or “It slipped” or some other nonsense. Each use of vulgar language will result in a point deduction, disciplinary action with the Assistant Principal, and/or an email to your parents. No potty mouth!

5. Proper, mature, and responsible behavior is expected from you. This behavior is spelled out on this sheet and in your student handbook, so you can’t legitimately plead ignorance.

6. Offending someone’s dignity will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disciplinary action. Such behavior is contrary to the SJR brotherhood.

1. Periodically you will be given an assignment to be done in small groups (2 or 3 people) during the class period. These assignments emphasize the importance of teamwork and accountability.

2. Unless otherwise indicated, group work will count as a quiz grade. For group work, the same grade is given to each member of the group, assuming that each student has contributed equally to the work. Grades are usually given in 5-point increments (80, 85, 90, etc.).

3. It is important that all members of the group review the assignment before it is turned in. Each group member should know what the others have written.

4. It is your responsibility to ensure that your name is on the submitted document. If you “forget” to include your name, you will be required to hand-write the entire assignment for credit.

5. Occasionally a student asks if he can work alone on a group assignment. I assume the reason is to have direct control over the quality of the work. While it’s not my preference, I will allow it.

1. Homework is due by 8:00am the next school day after it is assigned, unless otherwise indicated. Homework handed in past this time is late, and points will be deducted.

2. Homework assignments are typically given a grade in five-point increments, such as 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100. You get a 0 for not doing the assignment and a corresponding low grade if it is done poorly, with little effort, or is incomplete. Grades of 105 or even 110 are given for exceedingly well-done work. An 85 or lower is given when answers are missing and/or incomplete; answers are lacking in detail (like one- or two-sentence answers); and/or your work contains too many mistakes. A 90 is given when you have completed the assignment in a satisfactory manner. A 95 or higher is given when your answers show greater detail; you provide more specific examples; you demonstrate a deeper level of thought, and/or you make connections to your own life experiences or your faith.

3. Always be honest in your responses. When I ask you for your opinion, give it. You will never be penalized for giving me what I ask for. However, be sure to back up, substantiate, explain, or detail what you say. You will lose points if you are vague or overly general.

4. Please do not tell me what you think I want to hear. Doing so is a waste of your tine and mine. Your assignments are meant to: get you to think, invite your reflection on the subject matter, give you a vehicle to express your thoughts, and process the material you are learning in class.