new MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
FORENSIC SCIENCE
2014-2015
TEXTBOOK: Prentice-Hall Forensic Science, by Richard Saferstein (online resources for text are available at http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_saferstein_forensicscience_1/59/15205/3892550.cw/index.html)
INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Victorine Shaw (C1200), Mrs. Rachel Rogers (Rm C2208), & Ms. Ashley White (Rm C2209)
TUTORIAL: Mrs. V. Shaw (before or after school with prior notice and written parent consent, Mrs. R. Rogers (Tuesday 3:45-4:30), and Ms. Ashley White (Wednesday 3:45-4:30)
PHONE: Mrs. V. Shaw (770-651-2746), Mrs. R. Rogers (770-651-2839), and Mrs. A. White (770-651-2744)
EMAIL: , , and
SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://tinyurl.com/ganmhs (you can access teacher’s websites from this website under school
staff and then click on the teacher’s name)
TEACHER WEBSITES: Mrs. V. Shaw: http://tinyurl.com/VShawForensics
Mrs. R. Rogers: http://tinyurl.com/anatrogers or http://tinyurl.com/rlrogers
Ms. White: http://tinyurl.com/awhitescience
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To provide students with knowledge of forensic science and the investigative skills involved through hands on activities and student centered inquiry based learning that is relevant to their world. There will be some risk-taking involved on behalf of the student and instructor to facilitate the exploratory and experimental nature of being in a science classroom. As students explore through various hands-on techniques, they are expected to support and defend their ideas. This often involves the higher order thinking skills of analyzing, critical thinking, and synthesis of information. Therefore, there will be rigor involved when learning forensic science as students navigate through the course.
LABORATORY: Students will have the opportunity to engage in many laboratory opportunities throughout the year. Although a laboratory can be a very interesting place that involves inquiry and problem solving, it is important that all students follow Lab Safety Rules as to not endanger themselves or others. Each student should learn to work cooperatively as a member of a classroom team of scientists, as we explore questions in the world of Forensic Science. All parents and students must read the Lab Safety Contract located on the teacher’s webpage.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover the following units of Forensic Science in accordance with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) listed below. They can also be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/ForensicGPS.
· Unit 1 INTRODUCTION/HISTORY/EVIDENCE
· Unit 2 PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (2a & 2b Unit Assessments)
· Unit 3 BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE (3a & 3b Unit Assessments)
· Unit 4 BALLISTICS/EXPLOSIVES
REQUIRED MATERIALS: All materials should be brought to class every day.
*3-ring binder (1.5-2 inches)
*Pens (blue or black ink only) & pencils
*Colored pencils
*Loose leaf paper
*Pocket Dividers
*Composition Notebooks
*textbook, magazines, encyclopedias, video clips, & internet (additional materials used during class)
*Agenda (https://myhomeworkapp.com/)
NMHS STUDENT NON-NEGOTIABLES:
1. Show respect for authority figures
2. Be on time to every class
3. Use appropriate language
4. Contribute to instruction in a positive way
5. Follow the Dress Code
CLASSROOM RULES:
All classroom rules and procedures will be explained in detail and practiced as part of our daily classroom routines and procedures. They summarized as follows:
BE PROMPT! BE PREPARED! BE POLITE!
DISCIPLINE CONSEQUENCES: (severe disruptions will be sent to office)
1st Offense: Warning – Verbal/Nonverbal
2nd Offense: Short conference with student and parent contact
3rd Offense: Before/After/Lunch Detention
4th Offense: Referral to an administrator or counselor
*Tardies- All tardies will result in after school NMHS detention. Detention slips will be distributed by the instructor and a carbon copy will be given to the administrator of who will designate and assign the time, date and place the student is to report. Detention will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-4:15. For those who do not show up for detention, Saturday work detail will be assigned by administrators as well. Chronic tardies will result in further administrative action.
TEACHER ASSIGNED DETENTION:
All minor infractions (chit chat, off task, sleeping/head down, inappropriate behavior, etc.) will be subject to Science Dept. Detention held Tuesday-Thursday from 3:50-4:20 in Rm C1200/Mrs. V. Shaw, Rm. C2208/Mrs. R. Rogers, or C2209/Ms. White or during that student’s lunch period or before/after school(subject to change). In order for students to serve the detention, the form must be returned by the day of the detention with both parent and student signature. Failure to do so will result in a referral. There will be 48hrs notice given to the student to arrange transportation. At any time parent contact will be made if the student chooses to behave contrary to the rules and expectations set forth.
TECHNOLOGY:
Students at NMHS are encouraged to bring their own technology, BYOT. A form that outlines the terms and conditions defining that use both in the school and classroom, along with a signature page is posted on the school’s website and your student’s Moodle page. Technology devices would include all smart devices; tablets; phones; and laptops. Please note that any student bringing a device for school use must have this contract agreement on file, and adhere to all of the terms and conditions highlighted therein.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
The opportunity to use these devices is at your own risk and is a privilege. Any violation will result in that privilege being revoked. The listed policies in the BYOT contract will be strongly enforced in the Forensic Science classroom.
Guidelines: .
1. You cannot charge your device in the classroom at any time.
2. Classrooms will not be searched for lost/stolen items. It is your responsibility to keep up with your belongings.
3. NO EARBUDS!
4. Absolutely NO cell phones during CODE BLUE DRILLS!!!
5. Devices are to be taken out ONLY when designated by the instructor.
Consequences:
1) parent contact/detention
2) office referral
LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOODLE & SCHOOL COMPUTERS:
Student Login: first and last name initial and lunch# (Ex. John Smith 123456=js123456)
Password: Birthdate MM/DD/YY (Ex. 01/11/96= 011196)
GRADING SCALE & POLICY:
According to School Board Policy the grading scale is as follows: A 90-100; B 80-89; C 71-79; D 70; F <70
Assessments = 50%
*Major = 35% (Unit Test, Exams, & Projects)
*Minor = 15% (Quizzes & Projects, etc.)
Lab = 20% (formal lab reports)
Class/Homewk = 10% (Current Events, Graphic Organizers, Class notes, Journal Reflections, etc.)
Final Exam = 20% (S.L.O.-Student Learning Objective)
Appeals:
*A student/parent has 5 business days from the date report cards are issued to appeal the final grade. The appeal must be made in writing to the principal and the decision of the principal is final.
PROGRESS REPORTS:
Students will be given progress reports every 9 weeks throughout the school year. Please check the school website for the calendar schedule. A final report card will be given at the end of the year. The grades run cumulative, therefore the grades you receive in August can affect you in May. Grade Reports will also be distributed from the instructor periodically. Parents are encouraged to check parent portal to stay current on student performance in class.
HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS:
All homework is expected to be complete and turned in on time. An assignment will be considered late if it is not turned in when the teacher collects it. Late homework will be collected a class day after it was due with a maximum grade of 50%. NO HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE NEXT CLASS MEETING.
*Homework App: https://myhomeworkapp.com/ is a link to a website that NMHS will use to replace the need for student agendas. This wonderful tool assists with communication between teachers, parents and students. All students are required to sign up for the homework app in which all tests, quizzes, and major project assignments will be posted, as well as the class syllabus.
MAKE-UP:
Students will be given one day for each day absent to complete and turn in make-up work. If a student has an excused absence, it is their responsibility to ask for any work they may have missed. The student is encouraged to refer to the Assignment Folder located next to the white board to see the missed assignments and activities. *It is recommended that you record names and phone numbers of at least two class members and check the board daily for assignments and check the teacher’s “myhomework” website for additional information. For students who have unexcused absences, the opportunity to make up work will be left to the teacher’s discretion. There will be no excused late work due to computer-related problems such as crashed hard drives, power outages causing disk corruptions, printer ran out of ink, etc. Back up your work regularly and plan printing your work well ahead of the due date. Students are expected to make up all missed assessments within the same amount of days they were absent.
ASSESSMENTS:
There will be a county-wide common assessment after each unit. Other assessments will be given on a continuous basis throughout the year. Your final grade will be determined by your performance on major tests, quizzes, class and homework assignments, lab work, group work, class participation (group participation, rubrics, performance assessment, etc.). Assignments will be due at the beginning of the period on the due date. Test dates will be announced in class approximately one week before the test. Announced and unannounced assessments will be given on a regular basis. Students will be allowed to retest once for assessments that haven’t been mastered once remediation has taken place. Major projects also count as assessments and are expected to be turned in on time. Ten points per school day will be removed for late projects.
RETESTING OPPORTUNITIES: Will be afforded (after school) to those students that do not achieve mastery (80%) of standards per Unit. This will be administered within a 2 week time frame from the original assessment date ONLY, and additionally after the remediation process outlined by the instructor has been completed by the student. The retest grade will be averaged with the first test for the final test grade.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
There is a ZERO tolerance policy for cheating. Cheating is obtaining information from any sources other than those prescribed (approved) by the teacher for the specific assignment.
Examples of cheating offenses:
A. Having a “cheat sheet”
B. Copying from someone else’s paper during a test or homework assignment
C. Providing someone else with answers
D. Talking during a test
E. Plagiarism (copying, word for word, or ideas, without giving credit to your source)
F. Use of any technology (cells phones will be turned in prior to testing and returned after the testing period is
completed)
If a student has a question any time during the testing period, they must raise their hand as not to disturb/disrupt other students testing. During assessments every student’s desk should be cleared before testing, except for the materials the teacher gives or asks the students to take out. If a student is caught cheating, both the student(s) that copied the information and/or provided the information will be given a grade o
Penalties/Consequences for cheating:
1. Parent notification
2. An assignment of 0% for the grade
3. Office Referral
BATHROOM/HALL PASSES:
According to school policy, hall passes are not to be issued unless it is a true emergency. Please be sure to notify the nurse and the teacher of any medical conditions the student may have. Each student will be given 4 bathroom passes per semester (2 per 9 weeks), use careful discretion when deciding when to use them because it will be documented. Before leaving with the pass, students must sign in and out, recording the time leaving and returning. Passes will not be given the first or last fifteen minutes of class. There will be absolutely no hall passes given to students unless the teacher deems it as an emergency. Make sure all materials and/or homework needed are brought everyday to avoid any problems of needing to go to lockers.
*After reviewing the Syllabus and the Lab Safety Contract, please send your electronic signature to the teacher’s email address located above. This will help us verify that you have read and understand the content therein and provide an updated electronic contact for communication purposes. You will find a separate signature page on the same teacher’s webpage on the school website. It will be entitled Forensic Science Syllabus & Lab Safety Signature Page. Both parent and student should be sure to fill-in all of the blanks provided on both documents.
Dear parent(s)/guardian(s)
I wish to work collaboratively with you and your child. I am always willing to meet with you to discuss any questions, concerns and solutions you may have with regards to your child’s academic and social success. I am available during my prep time, for phone calls and conferences and through email. I look forward to working with you. Here’s a small poem I ran across that I feel is a perfect representation of the things to come this year.
Mrs. V. Shaw, Mrs. R. Rogers, & Ms. A. White
“UNTIY”
I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched two sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child’s mind, and they fashioned it with care. One was a teacher, the tools he used were books, music, and art. The other, a parent worked with a guiding hand, and a gentle, loving heart. Day after day the teacher toiled with touch that was deft and sure. While the parent labored by his side and polished and smoothed it o’er. And when at last their task was done they were proud of what they had wrought. For the things they had molded into the child could neither be sold nor bought. And each agreed they would have failed if each had worked alone. For behind the parent stood the school and behind the teacher, the home.
~ Author Unknown ~