Welcome to Mr. McElroy’s Business & Computer Science Class!
We are a virtually paperless classroom and rely heavily on the internet. After all, what’s the point of a computer class if you don’t use computers?
Students & parents can access all work online and are welcome to email me with questions. Notes, vocabulary & detailed project instructions can be found on this website, and announcements are found on Google Classroom. Vocabulary will need to be studied before every quiz, and projects are turned in via Google Classroom.
Everything we do in this class can be found on this website, including vocabulary, notes, videos, projects, practice quizzes, EVERYTHING!!
Classroom Expectations
CONTROL yourself by using low voices and respecting everyone
ENTER the lab prepared and ready to work
SHIFT into learning mode - pay attention to the lesson and stay on task
COMMAND respect by raising your hand to speak. Don’t interrupt.
DELETE bad attitudes and negative thinking.
RETURN everything to how you found it - clean up your station and log off your computer.
**GOOD MANNERS ARE ALWAYS ESSENTIAL IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. WE PRACTICE THEM IN CLASS AS WELL.**
CATS Discipline/Flow Chart
1st Offense: Verbal warning, restate expectations
2nd Offense: Restate expectations, classroom isolation, lunch detention, OR other consequence
3rd Offense: All of the above + Accountability statement given (parents are contacted)
4th Offense: Referral
*A major infraction, students will be sent to the office*
In-Class Rewards
BIG CAT TICKETS: For class participation, Big Cat tickets are given as a reward. Answering questions, asking good questions, helping others out, and doing good things for others are just a few of the ways students can earn Big Cat Tickets.
FREE TIME: When all work is completed, and no past work is owed, students are allowed 5-10 minutes of free time. They are encouraged to play educational & puzzle games. Students caught playing games outside of this time will loose this privilege.
Suggested Supplies & Helpful Donations
Bring Everyday
Something to write with
Earbuds
Helpful Classroom Donations
Clorox Cleaning Wipes
Kleenex
Hand Sanitizer
Grading Policies
Since St. Marys Middle School utilizes a standards based grading process, you may not see as many grades as you may be accustomed to seeing during a grading period. Standards based grading means that all student work relates to a specific standard; however, not every assignment that a student completes will be recorded in PowerSchool. Our goal is to ensure student mastery of the standard.
Graded assignments will be placed in PowerSchool according to the standard being addressed. Grades will be entered into PowerSchool by the following Wednesday. These assignments may include classwork, quizzes, projects, etc. Standards within a content area will be divided into categories. The categories and weights for Business & Computer Science are as follows:
34% Quizzes/Tests
33% Projects
33% Keyboarding Skills– grade consists of Typing.com & teacher observations of student technique. An accuracy grade is taken at the end of each lesson. A course completion grade will be taken at the end of the term.
CELLPHONES (copied directly from the SMMS Student Handbook)
Students have no need for cell phones during the school day. Cell phones must be turned off. Students found using a cell phone during the school day (6:55 AM – 2:40 PM or entering/exiting the building) will be subject to disciplinary action. Cell phones can be used outside the building before 6:55 am and after 2:40 pm. During the instructional day, 6:55 am - 2:40 pm student cell phones are to be in a backpack (not a purse). Students are not to have their phones visible and may not be taken to the restroom, even in a backpack. Refusal to turn over a cell phone to school staff will be considered insubordination. Confiscated cell phones and other devices must be picked up by a parent or guardian listed in PowerSchool. Electronics include, but are not limited to, cell phones, Smart watches, iPod, iPad, tablets, laptops, or air pods, etc. Students will not take photos or videos of any type with any device while in the school building, on school grounds, on the bus, or at the bus stop.
TEACHER's NOTE: The first time a student is caught using a cellphone in class, they will receive a warning. The second time it will be confiscated and the student will receive lunch detention. PARENTS will have to come to school to collect the phone.
Student Absences & Late Work
In an effort to encourage a strong student work ethic (another business principle), it is the student's responsibility to obtain all make-up assignments, which can be found on the class website when students miss class for ANY REASON. Students must make arrangements with me in order to schedule make-up time for projects, quizzes, or in-class work. With a signed permission form (which can be found in class or downloaded here) students may stay until 3:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. No buses run on those days; therefore, parents must make arrangements for students to be picked up!!
**Communication is key. If students will talk with me about any problems, I am more than willing to work with them!! But they must initiate the conversation.
***** Students and parents are responsible for keeping track of missing work via Google Classroom and PowerSchool. *****
If work is late, a grade of zero (0) will be entered into the grade book. Once the assignment is completed, the zero (0) will go away, and the earned grade will take its place. This is done to allow the grade book to properly reflect the student's average in class should the assignment not be completed. There is a time limit for turning in missing assignments. Students have 10 school days (doesn't count weekends or holidays) to complete the missing assignment. If more time is needed, STUDENTS need to communicate their needs with me. I am flexible. Points will not be deducted from missing assignments that are completed and turned in.
If missing assignments are not completed and students have not communicated their needs with me within the 10-day window, then the zero (0) will become a one (1) and become not be allowed to be made up. Only zeros (0) are allowed to be made up. Without proper communication, late work will not be accepted beyond the 10-day window.
As I said before, if students come to me, I am more than willing to work with anyone, but they must initiate the conversation and ask for help, time, etc. Once the term is over, no work will be accepted.
Turning in Assignments
All projects, notes, videos, & tests are available on the class website. All student work is submitted via Google Classroom. Be sure you accept my invitation and join my class.
We will also be using the program www.typing.com for all of our keyboarding practice. Students are expected to complete 2 courses of typing (6th & 7th Graders will complete Beginner & Intermediate, 8th Graders will complete Intermediate & Advanced) before the end of the term. See the page On-Going Lesson: Typing.com for more details.
Miscellaneous Expectations
TARDINESS: If you are late, you need a pass to enter into class. NO PASS = LUNCH DETENTION
WATER BREAKS: NONE - Class time is limited...water can wait until between classes.
RESTROOM BREAKS: Please go before/after class...it is only 45 minutes. In an emergency, you must sign your agenda, and sign out on the exit clipboard.
No Tolerance Policy
The following activities will not be permitted in my classroom. This is done in an effort to ensure the quality of our computers and comfort level of all students.
Personal grooming of any kind - the hair and make-up get into the keyboard. Some people are allergic to body sprays.
Chewing gum, candy, food or drinks near the computers
Use of profanity or other inappropriate language
Disrespectful or offensive behavior (both online and in class)
Checking of non-school email (county policy), online chatting, blogging, or unauthorized games
NO CELLPHONES
Announcements
During ANY school announcements (homeroom, during class, end of the day), each student is expected to:
stop what they are doing
become silent
give absolute attention to the announcement
Students and parents, feel free to contact me with ANY questions or comments. I look forward to working with you!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Hamilton McElroy
Business & Computer Science Teacher
St. Marys Middle School
Download a copy of the Course Syllabus