ncssm Physics safety, tardy, CLASSROOM COMPUTER/Cell Phone USE, honesty policies
& PEER RESPECT statement     2010-2011

Physics SAFETY CONTRACT

We may be doing many activities that require the use of sensitive equipment. Safety is the # 1 priority in our classrooms. To ensure a safe learning environment, all students will be instructed in science classroom safety and the student safety contract will be signed and filed at NCSSM.   When necessary, safety considerations will be included on student handouts; they also will be given orally at the start of each activity.

• I will act responsibly at all times in the classroom.  I understand that horseplay, jokes, and pranks are not appropriate anywhere on the science hallway.
• I will follow all instructions, written and verbal, about the laboratory procedures given by the teacher.
• I will not touch any equipment or supplies until instructed to do so by the teacher.

• I will perform only those activities that have been authorized by the teacher.
• I will keep my table and the area around it clean and neat.
• I will wear my safety goggles whenever instructed to do so by the teacher.
• I will wear closed-toe shoes while doing a lab activity.
• I will immediately notify the teacher of any emergency.
• I will tie back long hair, baggy clothes, and dangling jewelry while doing a laboratory activity.
• I will contact the teacher immediately for help in case of an emergency.
• I will not take anything out of the room without permission from the teacher.

PHYSICS TARDY POLICY

The absence or lateness of each student will be recorded on a daily basis. Any student who is late to class three times will receive 30 minutes of work detail after school. This work detail is in addition to any sanctions incurred under the school-wide tardy policy. Work detail may include cleaning of the physics whiteboards, classrooms, lab areas and hallway, repair of physics equipment, Saturday morning work detail under the supervision of Plant Facilities staff, or other work. Failure to fulfill the work requirement satisfactorily will result in further disciplinary action including possible issuance of levels.

You will be considered Tardy even if you arrive on time, but have to return to your room because you are inappropriately dressed for class or lab, do not have your calculator, or do not have your lab materials on days when lab is scheduled. In addition to what NCSSM policy considers as Tardy, you will also be considered and reported as Tardy if you are not in your seat when I begin 8 am classes or classes immediately following lunch.  You will also be considered Tardy even if you arrive on time, but have to return to your dorm room because you are inappropriately dressed, do not have your calculator, or do not have your lab materials (lab book, prelab, ...) on days when lab is scheduled.

PHYSICS CLASSROOM COMPUTER AND CELL PHONE USE POLICY

Computers may be used in the classroom only for activities appropriate to physics instruction and learning.  The instructor will guide these computer-appropriate activities. Cell phones may not be used in academic areas except in case of emergency. The cell phone use policy is given in the student handbook.

PEER RESPECT STATEMENT

NCSSM is a special school that presents its students with unique opportunities and challenges. The student body comes from across the state, from a wide variety of backgrounds and with varying personalities. It is important to recognize and to respect these differences and to use your interactions with your fellow students as an opportunity for personal growth. Each of you is to treat your classmates, the faculty, and staff with respect.

PHYSICS ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

It is a violation of your academic honesty to give or receive information to or from others during a test or quiz or to use unapproved sources of information. It is also wrong to give or receive information about a test or quiz before all students, including those in other sections of the course, have taken it. On each test, you are required to sign an honesty pledge to the effect that you have upheld the Physics Academic Honesty Policy. On problem assignments, make an earnest effort to solve problems by yourself before asking for help from physics instructors, tutors, or your classmates. Unless stated otherwise, we expect you to do all writing independently of other students. This means, for example, that you may not look at any other student's assignment (paper, electronic submission, whatever) while writing your own.

The nature of lab work requires you to work with others in carrying out experiments. On labs for which you write joint reports, we expect each member of the lab group to participate fully in the preparation of the report and to be familiar with all aspects of it. On the cover page of such reports, each partner must write and sign a statement that he/she participated fully in the preparation of the report. On labs for which individual reports are written, we expect you to do all writing and all calculations independently of other students (including your partner). Presentation of data not collected by you personally in your lab journal or reports is a violation of academic honesty.
No credit will be given for assignments turned in that violate the Physics Academic Honesty Policy. Disciplinary consequences of cheating are described in the Student Handbook.

I understand and agree to follow all of the safety rules in this contract. I understand that I must obey these rules to make sure that the other students, my teacher, and I work and learn in a safe environment. I will cooperate completely with my teacher and fellow students to maintain a safe lab environment. I will also closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by the instructor. I am aware that any violation of this safety contract that results in unsafe conduct in the laboratory or misbehavior on my part, will result in being removed from the classroom or in other appropriate measures to maintain safety.
I have read and understand the Physics Tardy Policy, and I will abide by it.

I have read and understand the Physics Classroom Computer Use & Cell Phone Policy, and I will abide by it.

I have read and understand the Physics Academic Honesty Policy, and I will abide by it.

Printed name:______________________________ 

Signature:__________________________________________Date:___________