Mr.

McDowell’s Class Guidelines and Expectations

GREEN COPY FOR STUDENT/PARENT – YELLOW COPY FOR MR. McDOWELL (PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN)

** PLEASE review the MC Knoll Student Handbook found on the bottom of Mr. McDowell’s
Classroom blog for information about the school’s guidelines and procedures**

1. ASSESSMENT and EVALUATION

Your overall mark for each subject area will be a combination of your in-class work, assignments, homework, projects,
presentations, tests and quizzes, and participation/behaviour throughout the term. You will be evaluated using a
variety of assessment tools that may include rubrics, checklists, rating scales, observations and anecdotal records,
portfolios, self-assessment, peer-assessment, and comprehension/performance assessment (ie: tests, daily work,
assignments, presentations, etc.). It is very important to always do you best.

2. ASSIGNMENTS and TESTS

Assignments are due to me at the beginning of class. Hand in ALL assignments to the “IN BOX” – assignments ‘thrown’
on my desk sometimes go missing. Although you will not ‘lose’ marks for late assignments, all assignments must be
handed in regardless of how late they are. I will be keeping track of ALL overdue homework with a list by my desk. If
you have overdue homework, you may be required to stay in for recess and/or a noon hour “homework club” to finish
the homework. Students who continuously have incomplete/missing assignments and homework will have their
parent’s notified. In addition, school activities considered as ‘fun events’ may not be available to students with
incomplete/missing assignments and homework. If you are absent for an exam, you will write the first day back. If you
are sick, I will accommodate you accordingly.

3. HOMEWORK and CLASSROOM BLOG

At the end of each day, look at the chalkboard/classroom blog to see what assignments or homework you have. Most
importantly, write your assignments in a personal agenda or in a ‘homework’ booklet. This allows you to be organized
and is excellent preparation for Grade 8 and High School. There will also be a BLOG (classroom website) that will be
updated daily for you and your parents to check – DO NOT RELY ONLY ON THE BLOG.

4. MORNING, RECESS and NOON HOUR BREAKS

You should use the washroom and get drinks during school breaks. This saves time and distraction in the classroom.
If you need to get a drink or use the washroom during class time, you may be required to stay in for recess/after
school for every minute you are out of the classroom (minute for minute). You are not to be in the classroom or
tutorial before class or during the breaks. Also, you must be outside during ALL recesses and noon hours – you
cannot be running in and out. Supervisors should not have to tell you this at anytime. If you are disrespecting rules,
then you will lose privileges.

5. ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is very important. You will be expected to be IN ATTENDANCE and ON TIME. If you know you are
going to be absent or late from school, please let me know ahead of time through a parent note, text, email or phone
call so that we can gather the necessary homework. If you arrive late to class, please do not distract the class upon
your arrival. For unexplained lateness, you may owe that time during recess/after school (minute for minute). If
chronic lateness becomes an issue, your parents will be notified.

6. CLASSROOM WORKSPACE AND LOCKER

No items will be stored in the classroom; EVERYTHING will be in your locker. You must start your day with ALL
the books and required materials you need for periods 1-2. You then have recess to change books for the next
two periods. This format is the same for the afternoon classes and break. This will require some organization on
your part but is good practice for upcoming years. There will be no visiting your locker during class changes –
for every minute that you are out of the classroom, you will owe that time after school (minute for minute).
Locking your locker is strongly encouraged. However, I will need to know your combination or be given a spare key.
 7. BINDERS, NOTEBOOKS AND DUOTANGS
Your binder, notebooks and duotangs should be neat and organized. Subjects should have a divider between them. All
of your handouts should have your name and date on them. Using huge binders for all your subjects is NOT a good
idea as pages rip out easily and you could also be carting a huge binder for one subject of homework.

8. STAYING FOR LUNCH HOUR

It is a privilege to stay for lunch. If you leave my classroom in a mess or if you are causing supervisors problems you
will lose that privilege. I will not tolerate coming back to garbage, sticky desks, and especially hearing about grade
seven students goofing around, talking back to adults, or disobeying rules! You will be given very few chances to
correct your lunch behaviours; otherwise you may need to make other arrangements for where you will be spending
your lunch hour. If you go home for lunch, the school should be aware of this.

9. MY SPACE AND YOUR SPACE

The blackboards, SmartBoard and bulletin boards are not for you to write or doodle on. Much of what is in my
classroom belongs to me as opposed to the school. Stay out of the cupboards, drawers and my desk unless given
permission. I will respect your space as well – the only time I would go into your locker is to find books if I am
gathering your homework during an absence. My desk (including my laptop) is off limits at all times.

10. SNACKS, WATER BOTTLES AND CELL PHONES

Students are welcome to enjoy healthy snacks in my classroom before/after the 1st recess only (depending on
what class we have). During the remainder of the day, besides lunch of course, I will ask that you do not eat
anything during class time - so as to minimize distractions. I also encourage students to bring a water bottle to class
(filled with water only) – so as to not waste time going to the water fountain. On a different note, Gr. 7-8 student cell
phone usage at M.C. Knoll is limited to before and after school, as well as recess and noon hour. Cell phones ARE NOT
to be used during class-time. If communication between you and your child is required outside of this time, feel free
to contact the school. Students may only use the school’s phone upon receiving teacher permission.

11. OWNERSHIP, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY

THESE ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT EXPECTATIONS I HAVE IN MY CLASSROOM. First, we all make mistakes; but
it is what you do to fix and learn from your mistake that is important. “Ownership – own it, fix it, learn from it!”
Secondly, you are required to respect everything in and around the school (teachers, students, property and
equipment, etc.). “Respect – you have to give it to get it, got it!” Lastly, if you would like to be treated like a mature,
responsible individual, you have to act and behave like a mature, responsible individual. “Responsibility - either you
can drive the bus, or I will drive the bus for you!”

SUMMARY: DO YOUR BEST BE PRESENT AND ON TIME

COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS BE NEAT AND ORGANIZED
USE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN ALL AREAS TAKE OWNERSHIP
BE RESPECTFUL BE RESPONSIBLE

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU IN MY CLASS – LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!!

I have read and understand the expectations in Mr. McDowell’s classroom.

Student Signature __________________________ Print name ____________________________________

Parent Signature ___________________________ Print name ____________________________________

Any comments or concerns ___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE RETURN FULL SHEET TO SCHOOL WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED ON FILE