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GOAL of the WELCOME LETTER
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The GOAL of this WELCOME LETTER is to not only READ through the RULES, EXPECTATIONS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES, but to get acquainted with GOOGLE CALENDAR for HOMEWORK and my individual WEB PAGES.
By PRINTING the FORM and SIGNING it [to include the information requested] I know that both PARENTS & STUDENTS are at least somewhat clear on what to expect throughout the year. Please use the updated version found on either the APUSH or AP PSYCH pages. |
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK?Whether a STUDENT or PARENT, please DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK A QUESTION? EMAIL me your QUESTIONS, COMMENTS or CONCERNS early, so I can resolve them at their lowest and quickest possible level.
In addition, if there is something you think is interesting in AP US HISTORY or AP PSYCHOLOGY, please let me know too. |
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"I DO MAKE MISTAKES"Look, I can sometimes make a mistake from time-to-time...so, it would be foolish of me to pretend that I don't as a teacher. It is rare, but ... it happens from time-to-time.
Here are some of my possible mistakes. Usually, when I am updating FOCUS, for example, I can make over 500-1000 entries at one sitting, so a clerical error can sometimes happen, or it can be these tired, old eyes of mine. It is rare, but ... if it happens to you ... it is very important. Just follow the procedures for grade corrections. If I give too high of a weight to an assignment on FOCUS which was posted, and it seems different than what was mentioned, it may lower your grade. Just tell me as it will be a global correction for that class. I can correct these mistakes quick. Sometimes the web may be different than GOOGLE CALENDAR DATES & TIMES, but ... Sometimes, students turn in homework too early [with good intentions], but it sometimes causes an error in recording on my part. SO...I WILL NOT ACCEPT HOMEWORK ANY EARLIER THAN 10 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME. If there is a conflict between homework, quizzes, tests, or essay dates...USE YOUR CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS and always go with the GOOGLE CALENDAR DATE. Then either email me, or tell me at the beginning of class. So...just communicate! |
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IS THERE A HONOR CODE?There is a zero tolerance policy on cheating. Since this course uses online assignments, there is temptation for many students not to do their own work or to share the work among themselves. This "sharing" is regarded as a violation of the HONOR CODE and supported by the administration as defined in our HONOR CODE policies which the students have contractually signed. This applies to the one whom copied, and, if it involves another student who gave their work, both will receive a ZERO with a MEMO on the FOCUS REPORT. Any exception to the policy will be explained in class. A second time will result in a call to the parents.
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LATE TO CLASS?
No one should be LATE [TARDY] to my class unless you were coming from the CLINIC, or GUIDANCE, or ADMINISTRATION.
NO OTHER TEACHER should ask you to continue with extended time to finish a QUIZ, TEST or some other reason without my prior knowledge and approval, or you are TARDY. Sometimes MATH, SCIENCE and/or LANGUAGE ARTS are guilty of this practice...please remember that if approached...you must ask them to call me and get permission...otherwise...I expect you in my classroom for our time...not another's class. Please remember...these are ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES and YOU NEED TO BE HERE. I will mark you TARDY so as to gain the attention of ADMINISTRATION and ATTENDANCE as such in those cases where you elect to stay and finish a quiz, test, or some other tasking. 
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As you READ through these RULES, EXPECTATIONS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES, please keep in mind that starting my 19th year at West Shore, I have NEVER written a DETENTION in all those years.
It is not that I would never write one, but I've always used other means to accomplish our goal for learning. It is IMPORTANT you understand what is written here to avoid any confusion or frustration. One KEY POINT over all these years is that I've NEVER LOWERED MY EXPECTATIONS for the students. Since the classes are ADVANCED PLACEMENT [college-level courses], I try to make our environment as close to college as possible and treat everyone as young men & women. However, keep in mind...IT IS A TWO-WAY STREET! Doing it this way is a privilege, not a right and we can quickly revert to a high-school appropriate classroom...but....wow..."what a drag!"
SIMPLE 4 RULES FOR MR PUSTAY
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What are the Expectations of the Students? All students are expected to:
Adhere to all rules and regulations as outlined within the Student Handbook (attendance, behavior, restricted electronic/telecommunication devices, dress code, etc).
BATHROOM PASSAs mentioned above, unless there is an emergency...I don't want anyone going to the bathroom the FIRST 5 MINUTES, NOR LAST 10 MINUTES. And speaking of bathroom passes....I don't want abuse of this privilege. No one should have to go to the bathroom every day, or the same time everyday. So....students should not go more than twice weekly [as a general rule for the class]. I've had students attempt to go almost everyday [nearly the same time too] for 10 minutes. Extrapolate that out and that is nearly 30 class periods in a year!!! If the ABUSE occurs, there will be no bathroom privileges, except for rare emergencies [students would have to go on their way to class or after class]. However, that shouldn't happen, so this more than likely is a MOOT POINT!
EMERGENCIES happen...so there are always exceptions. 
NOT FEELING WELL IN CLASS?
In addition, if you are not feeling well...please let me know at the beginning of class so we can work around the issue to send you to the clinic nurse, or let you step outside and call your parent, or help me in class try not to focus on you with questions, and/or a tasking.
[Optional] If you are on new medication, or medication that may affect you by making you drowsy, less focused or some other symptom...you can inform me at the beginning of class privately, so I can help you, or even work with your symptoms of being drowsy, or anxious, etc. Otherwise, I may confuse your symptoms of medication to be just bored, tired or some other inappropriate behavior. 
WHAT ABOUT INAPPROPRIATE SOCIALIZING IN CLASS?
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What is the disciplinary ladder?
Failure to follow the listed expectations: First and foremost - I do not anticipate ever reaching beyond any minor infractions by students. However, please note that we must have an appropriate disciplinary ladder as follows:
CAN I SLEEP IN CLASS?
NOTE. Speaking of someone not ill, or the student has informed me beforehand about medications…is that if you seem to be tired…”no harm, no foul,” if you are proactive and get up and stand in the back of the class for a few minutes to get the blood flowing. I should not be the one to tell you about your behavior. I think every student should have a bottle of water with them, and honestly, a small snack [if needed] to re-energize yourself.
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HOW DO I CORRECT A GRADE?I update FOCUS at least every 7 days, if not more frequently which I tend to do most of the time. If there is a question on a grade, please follow these procedures:
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DO I HAVE TO READ THE TEXTBOOK, YOUR ASSIGNED TASKING ON THE WEBSITE & TAKE NOTES DAILY?Of NOTE...last year's survey of students noted 90*% of the students did not READ the TEXTBOOK, and only 10% skimmed the pages routinely. The facts came from an in-class survey of 100% of students in class last year. Both classes [AP PSYCHOLOGY & APUSH] had similar results.
Although our pass percentage was higher than the national average in 2019, it should have been better as reading the textbook would have helped. In addition…ensure you are required to keep up with reviewing and reading my webpage and note-taking is required daily. PERIODICALLY, I will give you a NO-NOTICE QUIZ [normally, 30-40 points] to see if you can demonstrate proficiency in reading, listening and being part of the lecture too. Sometimes, these will be in pairs. |
FRQS/LEQS/DBQS ESSAYS [AP PSYCHOLOGY & APUSH]From time-to-time with ESSAYS, I will have a staggered schedule between classes, when I have LARGE CLASS SIZES and or multiple sessions so I can get them back as quickly as possible for the students.
Depending on the ESSAY itself, I will have 1-2 AP PSYCHOLOGY classes take them on the same day [for example, if our test date (essays apply here to West Shore schedule), is MONDAY & FRIDAY], then most likely 2 classes will take these on a Monday, and the other 1 class will take them on Friday. THE DATES WILL BE POSTED ON GOOGLE CALENDAR and in class to communicate these essay dates. |
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HOW DO I FIND HOMEWORK?
Homework is posted on my webpage using the GOOGLE CALENDAR.
If there is a discrepancy between the GOOGLE CALENDAR HOMEWORK and the WEB PAGE itself, you are to meet the deadlines of GOOGLE CALENDAR HOMEWORK. No homework is assigned during holidays, but these are advanced placement courses and you are to make the best judgment of readings, assignments, preparations for tests, etc. I have the ENTIRE YEAR available so students can get ahead if wanting to do so. Automatically, turn in homework to your class period bin. Homework MUST be turned in at the beginning of class only. You CANNOT do homework (any class homework) during class. I will collect it. For homework of another class, I will collect it AND you can come back between 3:30-3:45 to pick them up, or if not picked up, I will place them in your teacher's mailbox in the teacher's workroom In addition, any textbooks or other books collected can pick up at the end-of-the-day. |
How Should I Annotate Homework, In-class Work, Outlines, etc?
There is 5-point deduction for NO NAME, 2-point deduction for no identification of PERIOD or DATE, and a 3-point deduction for NO TITLE, or leaving CHADS on the paper. If the paper is ripped, or otherwise deformed, or not to "specs" than it will be returned and the student will have ONE DAY to resubmit with a 10% deduction off the earned grade.
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DO YOU ACCEPT LATE WORK?
Only for homework, and only up to 3 school days to the end-of-the-grading period, or MID-TERMS/ FINALS [whichever comes first] . Late work will only receive 50% of the earned grade. Until turned in for credit, FOCUS is posted as a zero, so as to remind yourself, parents and teacher [me].
Please understand that in AP PSYCHOLOGY, if you are ABSENT during a SURVEY, you will receive a NG as you do not make these surveys up for credit. Work turned in after class time, but before the end-of-the-day will lose 10% off the earned grade. |
MY DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK
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ARE THERE EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES? The opportunity to earn extra credit helps our students to "bank points" to help their earned grade point percentage. Passing out papers earns +1 points. Bell work activities may earn +2 pts too. These are called ONGOING DAILY EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES.
TWO THINGS: (1) I NEVER show them on FOCUS until after the INTERIM, so parents can see the EARNED GRADE before these are added into the grade; ( 2) If someone feels the same people tend to take advantage of passing out papers, please come see me and I can easily change things up. Please don't let it [frustration] fester as unfair. Talk to me. In addition, 10 XCREDIT PTS, which lasts 3-5 minutes twice within a grading period (to INTERIM; to END OF GRADING PERIOD) are available if your are proactive. Just COME SEE ME to okay the topic prior to wanting to present, then sign up with topic in the GREEN BOOK on my desk. Please remember that unless approved by me, we will only do 1-3 on early-release FRIDAYS at the beginning of class. In addition, there may be other “extra credit opportunities” which will be discussed in class from time-to-time. |
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ANOTHER EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITYStudents can do extra credit in AP Psychology and APUSH. It must be turned in at least 5-days prior the final day of the nine week's period to be considered. The earlier the better. In case of the second and fourth nine-week-periods, the deadline is to the MID-TERMS or FINALS.
The extra credit is a movie, documentary, or book review. Many movies, documentaries, and books have psychological concepts featured throughout the story. This is a wonderful opportunity to extend your learning outside of the classroom and apply what you learned to your study of psychology. You may select the book, documentary or movie with the permission of your parent, and the approval of me. If this is a movie, it can only be Rated - G, PG or PG-13.
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YOU CANNOT USE A MOVIE WE HAVE WATCHED IN CLASS |
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IS THERE CLASS PARTICIPATION? IS THERE DAILY ONGOING CLASS SHARING?Please note that the SHARING [bottom] is an ongoing grade based on a rubric (give students, parents and posted in room). I'll refer to this several times at the beginning of school and periodically throughout the year. I update the sharing grade normally once a week. It will change as it is ongoing.
At the beginning of each term, students start with 100% in this category. It is important students take notes daily, and actively engages & listens to others in class. You're not in class (during our content phase) to be socializing, sleeping, doing homework, or another classes' work, or using your cell phone [cell phones are expected to be placed away), fantasizing or any other behavior other than actively working the classroom as a college environment (as it is a college-level course). Keep in mind...for introverted or shy students, or for cultural respect of students toward elders....I do take into account these important and key factors I mentioned. I like to use THINK-PAIR-SHARE activities. Think-Pair-Share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy in which students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This technique requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share ideas with classmates. 
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IS THERE AN ELECTRONICS AND CELL PHONE POLICY?
And there will be times I will allow them for research during class. Otherwise, I am only asking roughly 45-minutes of your time daily for which you should be able to delay immediate gratification on using them.
Consequences:
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WHAT ABOUT STUDENT ABSENCES? The website was (and is) a tool created to help absent students. Students MUST, repeat MUST, come to me at the beginning of class (on their return to school) to let me know they were absent, and to determine if they missed anything, or to reschedule a makeup test, quiz, or essay. I need at least ONE DAY to create a new exam, or to locate the one you will take. Anything assigned, but not posted will be conveyed to the student upon return. Although MOST items are already posted to GOOGLE HOMEWORK on GOOGLE CALENDAR. Please understand that in AP PSYCHOLOGY, if you are ABSENT during a SURVEY, you will receive a NG as you do not make these surveys up for credit. Don't forget that HOMEWORK turned in after an absence must include at the top ABSENT and the days absent too. Students MUST mark at the top of their homework submissions - "ABSENT," and annotate the "DAYS ABSENT." Failure to do so may result in an incorrect grade being assigned as it may be thought to be a late submission. If you were absent, and the due assignment was already posted online, it is expected it be turned in upon return. However, if you were too sick to work on the assigned homework posted online, please bring a parent note stating that fact and we can extend the submission date. For TESTS, QUIZZES (50+ points), ESSAYS (DBQs, FRQs and/or LONG-ESSAYs), students have until the THIRD day to the END-OF-THE-GRADING-PERIOD, or MID-TERMS, or FINALS, EOCS or NATIONAL EXAMS, but where it can be done, you MUST give the teacher ONE DAY'S NOTICE so I can prepare a makeup, and are only allowed to make up ONE ITEM per day. In addition, ALL TEST/QUIZ/ESSAY MAKE-UPS are done either in the morning at 0745 hrs in our room, or, they can be made up during POWER HOUR and LUNCH (otherwise, there isn’t sufficient time to complete the evaluation, so bring your lunch that day). In those cases, you may bring lunch to the room. And, if students DO NOT make up their assessments within 3 school days on return, they may receive a different test or essay question than the classes' so we can hand back results quicker to our students. Please understand, that students maintain a zero until work is made up or submitted. Also, don’t forget, students walk around to their teachers the form for planned absences and field trip forms. As it states on the form, all students are responsible for assigned work missed in class or due. However, for field trips, family vacations and sports; don’t forget - all work MUST be turned in either the day before, or the morning of, their field trip or sporting event. |
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WHAT ABOUT YOUR GRADE WEIGHT POLICY?
Like the activities of the class, assessments will also be varied. Much of the course though will be based on the following sorts of assignments. Percentages are approximate are subject to change.
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Should I create or join a study group for an AP class? Honestly, the expectation is that students demonstrate proficiency in their respective subject. The reality is ... that doesn't happen, and it comes down to those who engage themselves and read the textbook, listen in class, take advantage of every opportunity, and constantly review and reinforce the knowledge gained throughout the year. Study groups can be a tool to expand how the students can gain more information, and continue to review and reinforce themselves.
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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TESTS?Tests will be CUMULATIVE and material covered on my web site, your textbook, or our discussions in class..
You will normally receive 1-2 TESTS towards the end of each month (for example, if Tuesdays & Thursdays are test days, Tuesday's test will be worth 55 PTS, and Thursday will will be 55 PTS). The THIRD & FOURTH QUARTERS will have tests more frequently taken as we begin the journey to the national exam. These will be worth 100 pts. CAN YOU REDO/DO OVER A TEST? WHAT IS THE CORRECTIONS POLICY?I truly believe that learning occurs by making mistakes. In order to learn from those mistakes we must be able to fix them. This is why you should always come in to class in the MORNING, or POWER HOUR and once you get your scantron back of the test, ask me for a copy of the test and review it [but, these stay in our class]. It is IMPORTANT to know what you missed. Sometimes...I will give up some class time to work on test corrections using the form [to the right]. I will explain these in class throughout the year when this option is available. |
NOTE: TEST DAYS are _TBD_ AND _TBD_
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WHAT ABOUT QUIZZES?You can USUALLY expect 1 QUIZ a week [does not include no-notice quizzes] worth 50 points/10-12 minutes. These are on CURRENT MATERIAL from the textbook, vocabulary, website and in class. You may USE any hand-written notes, outlines or vocabulary ONLY to encourage proper note-taking is done in class. You must MAKEUP these quizzes if you miss any that are 50+ points. You can make up these quizzes during the morning [0745-8:30], or during POWER HOURS.
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POP QUIZZES are snapshots in time in my mind. That is ... it tells me the reason I am doing it is because I am getting a general feel that people are coming unprepared for the class, or who are not reviewing and reinforcing material.
Usually, they are worth 30 points, and require only 10 minutes or less. I don't want them to study the night before, because anyone can do that and pass. It doesn't tell me who is routinely preparing for the class, and who [for whatever reason] is not preparing. It helps me identify areas I need to emphasize more. |
WHY "POP QUIZZES?"Nobody likes a pop quiz…or at least, nobody likes to fail a pop quiz.
"POP QUIZZES" cannot use any aids as it is a "snapshot" for me to assure class preparations, review & reinforcement is being done. If we have students who habitually ace pop quizzes, well then, the words, "Put your books under your desk—we’re having a pop quiz," may be among their favorites in the English language. Most of the time, though? You’ll get a chorus of groans. Some students point out that a pop quiz, which generally asks very simple questions, can be a breeze for anyone who has done the required reading or assignment in advance of class. This offers easy A’s or potential grade boosts to students who arrive prepared, while negating those who don’t study. And that, I believe, is perfectly fine. The main problem for con-ers? Everyone has a difficult night or gets behind from time to time. And that means that a pop quiz at just the wrong moment can negate a student who has been otherwise top-notch. Plus, pop quizzes take away a student’s ability to plan out his schedule in advance to assure preparedness for assessments. |
I HEARD THERE MAY BE ORAL GROUP IN-CLASS QUIZZES
Oral quizzes [45 points/3 questions] serve a number of purposes. I hope to conduct 1-2 ORAL QUIZZES during each grading period. These are unannounced. It is wise to choose your seating carefully. You WILL NOT have access to any notes or material during an oral quiz. The strength is in the collaboration of your group members. The teacher will determine the number of students per group based on number of students in class that day. Oral quizzes try to motivate students to do their reading, reviewing and reinforcing content material.
The ORAL QUIZ consists of three questions. In part one, the teacher calls upon the group of students in some pre-determined fashion such as alphabetically, reverse order, or working from the middle of the class list to the beginning and the end, etc. The small group may work together in formulating the answer. Each GROUP will receive what the group earns as the ORAL QUIZ grade. Students in the class will not help any other group during the actual oral quiz. They receive a '15' for each correct answer. Each group will receive different, but reliable and viable questions of the same content covered in class. |
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ANY ESSAY WRITING?For APUSH students will write DOCUMENT BASED QUESTIONS, SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS and LONG ESSAY QUESTIONS. ALL ESSAYS are written in class. For AP PSYCHOLOGY, students write FREE RESPONSE QUESTIONS. Like APUSH...all will be written in class. Unlike APUSH, AP PSYCH FRQs include a 40-PT QUIZ. That means, AP PSYCH FRQs are worth 60 PTS.
ESSAYS count for 60% of the national exam for APUSH and 33 1/3% for AP PSYCHOLOGY. Normally, each essay is 100 PTS, but at times for AP PSYCHOLOGY...they usually have a short quiz attached too. We will go over how to do them and try to do 1-2 essay per month. |
