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=Welcome to Georgia Studies=

E-Mail: yarbrough.jerry.c@muscogee.k12.ga.us
==Georgia Studies Expectations== Dear parents, Georgia Studies is a course designed to teach students about the geography, history, government, culture and economics of our state. In addition, we study Georgia's role in major areas of United States History. It can at times be a difficult and demanding subject. We introduce many of the concepts that they will study in more detail in high school. It is a critical foundation for success in their high school citizenship and U.S. history courses. I try to treat my students like high school students and will tell them almost daily that my job is to get them ready for high school. Every year new students come into the 8th grade and wonder what in the world happened to their nice easy middle school? The 8th grade is DIFFERENT, and it is different for a reason. We are charged with getting our students ready for high school. We take our responsibilities seriously and expect that from our students as well. We don't want any student to leave here until they are ready to be successful in high school. In the 8th grade the curriculum is harder, students are expected to be more independent, and they are held to high academic standards. **Grading Policy** In my class, grades mean something. They are not **GIVEN**, they are **EARNED.** Conservatively speaking, students will probably have to work 20-30% harder in the 8th grade to make the same grades that they made in the 7th grade. If they perform at the same level as last year, their grades will probably drop. We want all of our students to do well. We want them to be successful. Hard work and responsibility are the key to that success. As mandated by school district policy, we are on a 10 point grading scale. 90-100 = A 80-89 = B  70-79 = C  Below 70 is an F.  In Georgia Studies, I use what is called a weighted spreadsheet grade. In simple terms, what this means is that some types of assignments are weighted more heavily in the grade than other assignments. For example, a vocabulary crossword puzzle will typically count just once in the gradebook while a major test will usually count 3 times in the gradebook. Project grades generally count from 3-6 times in the gradebook depending on the amount of work and time it takes to complete them. Students are generally told ahead of time what the weight of a particular assignment will be. If you ever have a question about a grade, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail or call me. I check my e-mail several times each day including most weekends and holidays. Please make sure to check the Parent Portal frequently to see the grades your student has earned. We no longer have the ability to send out email progress reports. It is your responsibility as a parent to use the tools provided by the school district keep up with your child's progress. We will make every effort to help you. **Make-Up Work** Students need to be in school EVERY DAY unless they are contagious. We have many students who stay out of school for the poorest of reasons, and many parents let them get away with it. Parents DON'T DO IT. Every day they miss costs them instructional time in 4 classes. This is all work that has to be made up. It is not easy to do. If they must miss, plan on them staying after school the day they return to make up the work that they missed. The school district policy is that **they have 3 days to make-up work** that they have missed due to an EXCUSED ABSENCE. There is no provision for making up work for UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. I follow this policy strictly. As stated in the Student Handbook: State law recognizes the following reasons as legal absences: 1. Personal illness 2. Death in immediate family 3. Recognized religious holidays observed by your faith 4. Absences mandated by governmental agencies 5. Instances where attendance would be hazardous Any other absences are considered UNEXCUSED. While I will certainly help students who are absent to catch up with the rest of the class, I do not give credit when the absences are unexcused except in very limited circumstances. **Classroom Expectations** My classroom rules are pretty easy to follow. Essentially what they amount to is COURTESY. Repect Everybody Come to class prepared to learn Follow the dress code. It will be strictly enforced. As I said these are simple behaviors that are expected from EVERYONE. I don't tolerate disruptions. Most of my students are here to learn and I will not let other students take that opportunity from them. I expect students to be prepared when they come to my class. That means that they need to have their books, paper, sharpened pencils, completed homework assignments, and good attitudes with them when they walk in the door. If for some reason they don't have paper or pencil, it is their responsibility to take care of that BEFORE CLASS BEGINS by asking another student for a loan or by coming to me for assistance. Again, this needs to be done immediately upon entering class before I begin instruction. I will work with parents to help students meet these expectations, but ultimately each student is responsible and will be held accountable for his or her behavior and work ethic. Please feel free to call on me at any time if you have questions. Sincerely, Chuck Yarbrough