Classroom rules
1. Be prepared (That means having pens, paper, assignments completed) link to materials needed
2. Follow directions (Read the directions. Use this site to get directions)
3. Show respect (To the teacher, one another and to the school; no putdowns or derogatory remarks are welcome here.)
4. Behave with class (No gum chewing or personal grooming) Link to the dress code
Why can't I chew gum?
But I had onions and garlic for lunch and I have bad breath.
What on earth is Personal Grooming and why can't I do it in class?
But it's just chapstick...
But what if my lip cracks?
Can I go to the bathroom whenever I want?
But what if I really have to go?
I forgot to bring a pen. Why do I need to give up my shoe to borrow one from you?
Does the same apply to borrowing pencils on a scantron test?
1. Be prepared (That means having pens, paper, assignments completed) link to materials needed
2. Follow directions (Read the directions. Use this site to get directions)
3. Show respect (To the teacher, one another and to the school; no putdowns or derogatory remarks are welcome here.)
4. Behave with class (No gum chewing or personal grooming) Link to the dress code
Why can't I chew gum?
- It is against official school rules
- It results in gross stuff stuck to the desk or carpet.
- It makes you look like a cow and, trust me, they are NOT intelligent beasts.
- You are supposed to be learning how to behave in the outside world and what is accepted among your peers will make you look seriously tacky and will convince serious employers that you will not represent their company well. . You should be more classy than that.
- Yes, I know that you see adults doing it. It is still tacky and we will assume they just don't know any better and refrain from making judgments about how they were raised.
- Link to brouhaha over President Obama chewing Gum
- Another link to gum chewing incident
But I had onions and garlic for lunch and I have bad breath.
- That is what breath mints are for.
- Have a breath mint. Just finish it before you get to class.
- You are worried about how rude it is to have bad breath but not about the rudeness of chewing in someone's face? Please!
What on earth is Personal Grooming and why can't I do it in class?
- Personal grooming is brushing or fussing with your hair (or anyone else’s – remember you are not a tribe of monkeys), putting on make-up , checking your teeth, putting on lotion, or checking yourself out in a mirror.
- This is another of those issues of behaving with class. It is rude and demonstrates that you are not listening or paying attention and if you think about it, in the movies that is how they show that someone is self-centered or stupid. Hopefully that is not the image you are trying to project.
But it's just chapstick...
- I don't care what color it is. Personal grooming is not a spectator event.
But what if my lip cracks?
- If you are a hemophiliac we will call for an ambulance.
- You are dehydrated and need to drink more water – at least 8 glasses per day.
- Put on your chapstick between classes.
Can I go to the bathroom whenever I want?
- You will have one bathroom pass, which you may sign over and use any time. However, if you can return it to me unused during your final at the end of the semester, you can earn bonus points. The pass is half of a sheet that also has your one pass to do a vocabulary test late.
But what if I really have to go?
- You are not five years old. In the real world many people do not just get to walk away from their job and go to the bathroom any time. Plan ahead. That is actually part of what the brunch and lunch breaks are for. Think back to the days when your Mom or Dad would make you go the bathroom and try just before strapping you into your carseat for a long drive. It still works. If absolutely necessary, go but you will have to bring back a tardy slip.
I forgot to bring a pen. Why do I need to give up my shoe to borrow one from you?
- Most students don't steal pens on purpose; they just forget. Giving me one of your shoes ensures that you remember as you walk out the door that there is a reason your foot is cold. You just return the pen and get your shoe back.
- Other items have in the past been stolen by other students. Your phone or i-pod or wallet are not things I want to be responsible for. Few people would steal a single shoe.
Does the same apply to borrowing pencils on a scantron test?
- Yes. Sadly, students were not faithful in returning them so I had to replace them all.